Famous Racing Yacht's History

Few yachts in the annals of yacht racing have enjoyed records as impressive or as long as the 60 foot sloop "Running Tide".  Ever since she won her first class in the 1970 Bermuda Race, the times have been few and far between when she hasn't been in the limelight.

Photograph courtesy of "Sparkman & Stephens"

In 1969, shipping magnate Jakob Isbrandsten commissioned the venerable New York firm Sparkman & Stephens to design an all-out, no-nonsense racing machine for him and his crew of 12 meter veterans.  "Running Tide " was constructed in aluminum, the lightest material of the day.  Her hull, which was dark green originally, was built in Holland by Huisman and finished in Kretzer in City Island. 

Right after her christening, Isbrandsten went out and won his class at the 1970 Bermuda Race and placed first overall in the 1971 SORC.Southern Ocean Racing Circuit 

The racing yacht turned quite a few heads with her grooved head-stay, flush decks and stripped out interior.  The clean, clear and efficient deck layout designed by Isbrandtsen made Running Tide’s enormous 60 foot, double spreader rig, extremely manageable. 

After the 1971 Bermuda Race, Isbandtsen chartered he yacht to Ted Turner and Perry Bass for six months.  Turner, demonstrating her incredible speed, raced the boat in the Annapolis Yacht Club Fall Series, and won.  Her performance was noticed by Van Metre, owner of the 50 foot Sparkman & Stephens sloop "Bandit".

Real estate developer Albert G. Van Metre, came into possession of the boat after a bidding war in 1972.  He and his son Beau, soon went on to win the Storm Trysail Club Week and the Miami to Palm Beach Race in 1973, the Nassau Cup in 1974, and were overall winners of the 1976 Bermuda Race.

That was only the beginning…

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