What Ever Happened To Robin?
The first 12 1/2 built was number 744, Robin. We lost track of her after the ownership of Mrs. Henry Hall in 1941. We have heard rumors that she was lost in Florida, but this has not been substantiated. If anyone knows, please tell us.


Which Is The Unbuilt Boat?
Hull #1376 is listed in the builder's record as not having been built. Also noted in the builder's record is the fact that a range of boats from 1364 - 1378 (including 1376) were not delivered as recorded as there was a mis-communication between the office and the shop. Since we know 1376 was in fact built, that means one of the other 15 was not. And since we have accounted for several of the others of that group, we know that it must be 1364, 1368, 1369, 1370, 1371, or 1377 that was cancelled. Determining which is the unbuilt contract number is the mission.


When did the 12 1/2 Get A Back Rabbet?
The early boats are prone to leaking at the garboards. This is partially because they were built without a back rabbet. At some point, HMC switched to building with a back rabbet. The challenge is to determine when this switch took place. We know that it was before hull 1450 or so, and after 1170.


Which Builder's Plates Have A Date?
There were 3 styles of builder's plates used by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. The earliest boats had a rectangular plate of German silver. From 1925 - 1930, a small oval plate was used, and after 1930 a larger oval plate was used. Neither the early or late plates had build dates stamped on them. The middle plate, however, did have dates stamped on them for a period. Somewhere between 1002 and 1070, they stopped stamping the build date. Finding out when is the mystery.