Daysailers

This design by Nathanial Greene Herreshoff was originally built out of wood by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in Bristol, Rhode Island and in later years (also in wooden construction) by the Quincy Adams Yacht Yard in Quincy, Massachusetts and was / is known to generations of sailors as the Herreshoff 12 ½.

In 1938 the design was given an above-transom tiller and renamed the Fishers Island Sound Bull's Eye. In 1947 the rights were purchased by The Cape Cod Shipbuilding Company and a new version was created by the original designer's son, (A. Sidney DeWolff Herreshoff) to be built in fiberglass construction and incorporating a cuddy cabin, a modern Marconi rig and aluminum spars. This final version of the classic Herreshoff 12 ½ would be named the Cape Cod Bulls Eye.

Proof that “you can’t get enough of a good thing” is that since being first designed in 1914 there have been well over 2,000 wooden versions of the 12 ½’s built and easily 1,000 fiberglass Bulls Eye are on the water today. While the construction methods, deck and rigging may have changed over time the hull shape has remained the same and these boats are still in production to this day.

Top Speed is an excellent example of how the Cape Cod Bullseye's continue to be a go-to-boat for sailors wanting a simple and easy to manage boat both on and off the water. Top Speed has been nicely restored and upgraded by her current and previous owner with features like a custom racing deck layout, complete Awlgrip paint work, North and Quantum racing sails, new Edson outboard motor bracket and Torqueedo electric outboard. making Top Speed more than ready for the 2025 sailing season whether as a casual day sailor or racing in One-design local fleet races and regattas