Meryl Grandy

Design 1252 Revonoc II

Here's a tragic story about Revonoc II. If you recall Harvey Conover owned the NY32, Mustang which he sold to Rod Stephens. He then built Revonoc, design #620, built by Nevins and launched in 1946.

Harvey Conover and his wife had years of sailing experience and all of this experience went into the design of this new boat. She was built by Robert E. Derecktor and launched in 1957. Her construction was as stout as ever: oak frames, stem and backbone, and double planked with mahogany over cedar, with Everdur fasteners.

Here's a design review by Yachting magazine from 1957.


After seven months of sailing his new boat Revonoc II was tragically lost, sailing from Key West, Florida. My understanding is no trace of the boat was ever found, with the exception of her tender.

Here's an article that tells the story. Please double click for zoom.


Needless to say Rod Stephens was deeply saddened by this loss. He had become such a good friend of the Conovers through the years and they did quite a lot of cruising together, with their wives. Rod and Mr. Conover spent hours planning the new yacht.

Here's the general arrangement plan.


We'll never know what happened that night. Let it remind us that no matter how experienced a sailor one may be, one must be ever diligent of the potential danger of offshore sailing.