The Haven Class is a redesign of renowned designer Nathaneal Herreshoff’s classic, elegant 12 1/2 class, re-envisioned by designer Joel White with a shoal draft and a slightly wider beam. The Haven is 12’ long on the waterline and 16’ overall. The lines of a Haven Class sloop are nearly identical to those of the original Herreshoff 12 1/2 , but the addition of a centerboard makes the boat more easily trailered and taken into shoal water. Varnished mahogany trim and side benches, mahogany coamings and distinctive bronze hardware complement the elegant Herreshoff molded sheer planks.

The Haven Class is built of cedar planking over steam bent white oak frames. The fore and after decks are made of marine plywood covered with epoxy resin and xynole cloth for a durable non-skid surface. The forward bulkhead is watertight for added safety. Mahogany coamings surround the cockpit and provide a comfortable backrest.

The Herreshoff design upon which the Haven Class sloop is based was a deep-drafted sloop built as a production boat in the early 1900s. The Herreshoff 12 1/2 remains an active class boat today.In terms of sailing characteristics and aesthetics, the Haven Class is virtually identical to her predecessor. Joel White retained the fine, elegant lines that are characteristic of the late Herreshoff. White also carefully redesigned the hull so that the much-admired attributes of the original Herreshoff 12 1/2 (balance, stability, speed and responsiveness) remain unaffected by the reduction in draft. The result is a versatile daysailer that is ideal for racing, family sailing and coastal exploring.