This is Y30 Rigadoon in Cleveland, Ohio, docked in a row of six Yankees, circa 1960.

About Y30 Rigadoon

Like Y22 Summer Girl, Rigadoon was originally part of the Nantucket racing fleet. When the yacht club fleets disbanded and the Yankees were sold to private owners, Rigadoon was brought from the East coast to Lake Erie for the Cleveland fleet.

Memories of Y30

I crewed as light canvas man on Y30 RIDAGOON, from 1966 to 1969. I think that she was built in 1947, but not sure. She was berthed at Cleveland Yacht Club along with 4 other boats. Y19 DAWN was definitely one of the boats that I raced against. RIGADOON was owed by Bill Kirby for a few years and then sold to Bill Cowan. That is if my memory services me correct.

I think that Dawn was owned by Bobby Sessions. We would have one design races off Rocky River in Lake Erie. I have about a 15 minute 8 mm movie of about 10 of these yachts racing off the coast of Cleveland.

RIGADOON always was a leaker and on each leg we had to pump her out. Around 1969 an attempt was made to reframe her but to no success. I do not remember what happened to her.

I do remember starting in late March getting her ready to sail. The first year was my first dealing with a butt planked boat. Every weekend sanding recauking and painting with copper paint. Was my wife ever upset with me. (that is saying in nicely). Then when she went into the water leaked until she swelled up. I was disappointed! We had many enjoyable sailing days on her.

– Jim Bomberg, crew Y30 RIGADOON

Jim adds: The (very fitting) definition of “rigadoon” is a sprightly 17th-century French folk dance for couples. Its hopping steps were adopted by the skillful dancers of the French and English courts, where it remained fashionable through the 18th century. Conjecture assigns its origins to Provencal sailors… it was performed by dancers who ran, turned, and repeated in place a series of jumping steps.