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1930s sailing cutter Dr Archie Steele - $34,000
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Fully rebuilt full keel racing cutter designed and built by Nova Scotia immigrant Dr Archie A. Steele in the early 1930s in Los Angeles as the first of six boats in all which the doctor built behind his medical practice. Dr Steele built 1936 Stella Maris (40ft) which was sold to Dr Jay Conner (Dennis Conner’s grandfather). Later Steele built 1939 Stella Maris II which he twice won the Transpac race with. Steele is credited with designing perhaps the first full displacement hull that could exceed its hull speed. Two patents with the U.S. patent office for Navy patrol sailboats (1943 - 1945) describe intriguing designs that precede Mr Hunt’s planing designs (Boston Whaler fame). Steele built Blue Heather at age 71 to test his design for a hull that can exceed hull speed. BH was definitely different with purpose in every detail. It isn’t known if she still survives, though it is known she was renamed “Island Seeker”.
Placebo
24.5’ length on deck
30’3” length over all
6’4” beam
52” draft
21’6” water line
2050 pounds of Lead (12’4” long)
The mast is solid Sitka Spruce at 34’6” AND original and stepped in the bilge (of course). It may be that this mast came from the boatyard of Matt Walsh. Eleven 3/8” bronze and two 5/16” bronze turnbuckles and two mast spreaders do enable a solid rigging that can be credited with the mast’s longevity.
*Two South Coast jib witches are all that is required as Placebo is small enough not to require either mechanical means, or burly crew.
Walsh, also from Nova Scotia, emigrate to LA the same year that Steele was born, 1898. Matt Walsh is a man with an incredible history in racing and design. Placebo was richly benefited by Walsh. If you enjoy studying maritime history, then do take some time to research “Matt Walsh Common Sense design”. Familiar boat names such as Ted Geary’s R class “Pirate” will have you wanting more details.
Strip planked (7/8”) with salvaged old growth D Fir fastened with bronze ring nails on all new (60 in all) White Oak steam bent frames. Decked with Okumi 6mm plywood X two layers epoxy saturated, bronze nailed with 7mm thick Teak planks. 110 pound Bronze cast rudder (an incredible component). The prop opening within the rudder has a fillet plug, though this can be removed if an inboard engine with a two bladed ten inch prop on a 1/2” shaft is desired as things once were. I was so pleased with the new transom that to mount an outboard bracket would be wicked. The electric option was toyed with, though even the slightest winds will propel Placebo faster than an auxiliary means. By the time a Minn Kota 65 pound trust motor was set up, a slight breeze would make the effort pointless. Even at maximum thrust, the prop would be drag; it couldn’t keep up.
Once, while racing in a WYRA regatta with light wind, Placebo kept passing the other boats with the skipper’s scratching their heads (“What makes it move?”). Placebo dominates in light wind.
Purple Heart toe rail caps, Mahogany house, Spruce boomkin and bow sprit.
Keel: new Purple Heart and Iron Bark.
Recast 2050 pounds of lead with new Bronze bolts. Laminate Oak floors secure the bolts to the frames. Perhaps the World’s smallest port holes with 3/8” glass. Only one eye can see through as the window is 2-3/4” in diameter.
Hardware:
* 30 pound cast steel anchor with chain.
*Sails have three decades of service. I made them as a novice. While these three sails ( main, stay sail and Yankee jib) are in fair condition, the next owner may want that a sail loft get involved. Had I the funds and Placebo would be reverted back to the original jib configuration.
*A Spruce beam awaits becoming a stay sail boom as does a beam to replace the main sail boom. The boom was shortened by 14” in 1994. Perhaps this was a premature modification. The return to the original length would also require a new main sail with foot length to correspond to the 14’ replacement boom.
*Antique hardware that either came with Placebo, or was found during my tenure.
*Spinnaker pole with box construction in Spruce with bronze ends. This pole is best used as an example for a replacement. While it appears pristine, organisms have bored into the wood decades ago.
*Whisker pole with articulating eye for the mast based pin is in good condition.
*Roller furling mainsail goose neck by South Coast enables for many area adjustments and eliminates the need for reefing points.
*Kelvin White compass is currently not fitted.
Amenities:
Two “stick” births.
No microwave
No head
No heat
No TV
No engine
You get the picture. Placebo is designed for speed, not comfort. The thrills make up far and beyond for the lack of fluffy comforts. A duffle, candles, and other primitive means enable cruising.
Dear friends made the following video. I was absolutely exhausted in this interview, so please excuse the oddity that I am.
https://youtu.be/UzX9ETDsiNc?si=5bMVNkCmuVBk8Q_7
The book:
“Reflections at Hightide
A.A. Steele Md.”
I collaborated for a dozen years with Dr Steele’s daughter and grandson regarding the yachting years. This book offers
fascinating reading describing the long career (a record holder too) as a private practitioner in Los Angeles. Placebo starts the yachting years chapter which includes notable people as Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, amongst others. Placebo has an indirect connection to Amilia Earnhardt. Hollywood types were known to sail on Placebo, Stella Maris and Stella Maris II. On it goes and far more than this ad can contain. It’s in the book.
Placebo received a complete rebuild that replaced over 90% of the hull. All new frames, planks, Bronze fasteners, transom, cabin, deck, etc. Over the last 35 years, Placebo was rebuilt to a high standard that may mean the future skippers are not yet born. If Placebo is cared for, then she will outlast us all. Now going on 90+years of age and better than ever.
The latest photo was captured by Benjamin Mendlowitz of Noah Publications (Wooden Boat Magazine). The B&W image is from the early 1930s and shows the original jib configuration. New Spruce and bronze track awaits the conversion back to this jib setup if desired. Stella Maris II can be seen with Diamond Head in the distance while crossing the finish line first in 1939. Tantilus and SM II sailing in light air; this picture was found in a local antique shop. The small sloop is believed to be “Abicore”. I suspect Abicore is a Matt Walsh build.
A primitive trailer transports Placebo to the boatyard each Spring and back to storage in the Fall. A proper means will be needed to transport over a significant distance.
Seeking Placebo’s next skipper. You will need to be athletic, no exceptions. Not to be snobby; this boat will be a trinket seldom used if the skipper is unfit; Placebo will be punishment to the wrong buyer. She is a very seductive boat even at 90+, so be warned; good looks can be alluring. The next skipper will have a passion and understanding of woodworking and at least fairly proficient at sailing (Placebo is an excellent teacher). I hope to always have Placebo in my life. If she remains in Washington State, then I hope to volunteer on her behalf. This means the next skipper receives my experience and labor contributions for the chance to sail now and then. My memory houses an immense understanding of Placebo, the original name.
Documents:
*A survey from 1995 has the replacement value at $75,000.
*B&W photos from 1961 onwards.
*Surveys back to 1957.
*LA Times 1935 race results for the 45 Class Division.
Again, this ad will be improved in the near future. Thanks for reading this far.