Rhode Island State Yacht
Courageous, US-12/26
Adopted on July 13, 2000.
Adopted on July 13, 2000, the Courageous, US-12/26. The Courageous, one of the world's most distinguished yachts, raced in more America's Cup campaigns than any other yacht in history. Following the donation of the yacht to the Museum in 1997, Courageous was designated as Rhode Island's State Yacht.
Rhode Island State Yacht: Courageous, US-12/26
The latest America's Cup contender to come from the design board of Olin Stephens. Her helm has beckoned many of the top sailors in America and her crew positions have been manned by some of the most talented. Now she has returned to the waters off Newport, Rhode Island, to continue the fine traditions of the sport with other cup defenders including Columbia, Weatherly, and Intrepid.
The Museum of Yachting and The Courageous Foundation announced on July 29, 2002 that they completed the historic restoration of two-time America's
Cup winner and Rhode Island State Yacht, Courageous, US-12/26. The yacht, Courageous, which won the America's Cup in 1977 with Ted Turner at the helm,
and Stretch Ryder from Port Washington as crew, will be re-christened and launched as the official Rhode Island State Yacht on Saturday, July 27 at
the Hinckley Yacht Yard in Portsmouth, RI. Andy MacGowan, who now lives in Rhode Island, but grew up sailing on Manhasset Bay, has been very involved
in the one million dollar restoration of Courageous, a 67-foot, classic 12-meter. Courageous has a new keel, mast, spars, rigging and sails, and her
deck and transom have been restored to their 1977 configuration. She will be re-christened in the traditional style of breaking a bottle of champagne
on the bow of the boat, before a crowd that is expected to include members of the winning 1974 and 1977 America's Cup campaigns, including Dennis Conner
(skipper in 1977 along with Ted Turner) and Ted Hood, who won the Cup on Courageous in 1974, along with Rhode Island State dignitaries.
Courageous, one of the world's most distinguished yachts, raced in more America's Cup campaigns than any other yacht in history. Following the donation
of the yacht to the Museum in 1997, Courageous was designated as Rhode Island's State Yacht.
The ambitious $1million dollar project which began in March 2002 included restoring her 1977 hull form as well as major refits including a new keel,
mast, spars, rigging and sails. Foundation Chairman, Craig Millard explained, "The Courageous Foundation was formed to restore and protect this important
part of America's Cup Sailing history and to ensure that Courageous will be racing for many generations to come." She is 66 1/2' long with a waterline
of 45 1/2", a beam of 12", weighs 57,000 lbs., and has a sail aea of 1770 sq. ft.
Dan Prentiss, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Yachting explained that Courageous will continue to serve as the flagship of the Museum
as well as the Foundation and that the Museum will continue to be the homeport of the yacht. The Museum will utilize the yacht throughout the year
to further its mission. Prentiss stated, "The Museum and the Foundation will work closely together as evidenced by a mutual agreement on the Principles
of Stewardship for Courageous. Mr. Prentiss indicated that following a period of fifteen years of stewardship by the Foundation, the sole responsibility
for Courageous would return to the Museum of Yachting.
Rhode Island Act 2000-H 8172
Rhode Island Act
2000-H 8172 am
Enacted 7/13/2000
A N A C T
RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF THE STATE YACHT
Introduced By: Representative Martineau
Date Introduced: April 25, 2000
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "State Affairs and Government" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
CHAPTER 4.1
RHODE ISLAND STATE YACHT "COURAGEOUS"
42-4.1-1. Legislative findings and purpose. - (a) The general assembly hereby finds that:
(1) Yachting and yacht racing are vital elements of the tourist and manufacturing economies of the state of Rhode Island. The competition for the America's
Cup that was staged in Rhode Island waters for almost fifty (50) years is an important part of the cultural heritage of the state.
(2) As a participant in five (5) America's Cup regattas, and a two-time successful defender of the America's Cup, the twelve-meter yacht COURAGEOUS
best exemplifies the spirit of America's Cup competition during the era when this competition was based in Newport.
(3) The yacht COURAGEOUS is now owned by The Museum of Yachting, a not-for-profit corporation organized and located at Fort Adams State Park in Newport.
(4) It is in the public interest that the yacht COURAGEOUS be maintained as a living example of the involvement of the city of Newport and the state
of Rhode Island as the host and location of the America's Cup competition, the longest-running sports competition in the world.
(b) The purpose of this chapter is to provide the inspirational backing of the state of Rhode Island for the maintenance of the yacht COURAGEOUS, in
the ownership of a public, nonprofit entity, as an exhibit and monument to the importance of the yachting industry to the heritage and commerce of
the state of Rhode Island.
42-4.1-2. Designation of Rhode Island State Yacht. - The twelve-meter yacht "COURAGEOUS" is hereby designated the Rhode Island State Yacht.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
Rhode Island Law
The law designating the yacht "COURAGEOUS" that is now owned by the museum of yachting as the official Rhode Island state yacht is found in the State of Rhode Island General Laws, Title 42, Chapter 1042-4, Section 42-4.1-1
TITLE 42
State Affairs and Government
CHAPTER 42-4.1
Rhode Island State Yacht "Courageous"
SECTION 42-4.1-1
§ 42-4.1-1 Legislative findings and purpose. - (a) The general assembly hereby finds that:
(1) Yachting and yacht racing are vital elements of the tourist and manufacturing economies of the state of Rhode Island. The competition for the America's
Cup that was staged in Rhode Island waters for almost fifty (50) years is an important part of the cultural heritage of the state.
(2) As a participant in five (5) America's Cup regattas, and a two-time successful defender of the America's Cup, the twelve-meter yacht COURAGEOUS
best exemplifies the spirit of America's Cup competition during the era when this competition was based in Newport.
(3) The yacht COURAGEOUS is now owned by the museum of yachting, a not-for-profit corporation organized and located at Fort Adams State Park in Newport.
(4) It is in the public interest that the yacht COURAGEOUS be maintained as a living example of the involvement of the city of Newport and the state
of Rhode Island as the host and location of the America's Cup competition, the longest-running sports competition in the world.
(b) The purpose of this chapter is to provide the inspirational backing of the state of Rhode Island for the maintenance of the yacht COURAGEOUS, in
the ownership of a public, nonprofit entity, as an exhibit and monument to the importance of the yachting industry to the heritage and commerce of
the state of Rhode Island.
History of Section.
(P.L. 2000, ch. 215, § 1.)
TITLE 42
State Affairs and Government
CHAPTER 42-4.1
Rhode Island State Yacht "Courageous"
SECTION 42-4.1-2
§ 42-4.1-2 Designation of Rhode Island state yacht. - The twelve-meter (12 m.) yacht "COURAGEOUS" is designated the Rhode Island state
yacht.
History of Section.
(P.L. 2000, ch. 215, § 1.)
