The Sailboat Inward Bound
1962 Sparkman and Stephens Pilot (Hinckley) 35
S&S PILOT SLOOP HISTORY
Originally named “Barracuda,” now “Inward Bound”
Built in 1962 by a renowned Argentinean boat builder, Astillero Sarmiento, to Sparkman & Stephens Auxiliary/Pilot Sloop plans. The original design #1219 was laid out in 1958 for a Mr. Edward R. Greef. From what has been determined, it seems that a young Uruguayan marine architect took these plans to Sarmiento based near Buenos Aires. This boat was commissioned by Juan Perdomo Uzana, a very wealthy businessman to compete in several open ocean races that started from Buenos Aires. She won a number of events including the Buenos Aires to Rio Grande do Sul race in 1963. She even attempted a crossing of Cape Horn but was prevented by abysmal weather and spent six days anchored in the Williams Channel.
To research the history of this boat, The Yacht Club of Argentina was contacted. As a result, the previous owner Gary Magwood received correspondence from Jose Luelmo who owned the boat from 1982 until 1986. He sent a huge amount of information and history that included the original S&S plans and detailed building instructions.
The most interesting historical fact about this boat is the source of the teak decking. In 1951, the US Navy sold the Brooklyn-class light cruiser, “USS Phoenix”, to the Argentinean Navy who renamed it the “A.R.A General Belgrano.” The “USS Phoenix” was one of only a couple of survivors from the attack on Pearl Harbour. In the early 60s, the Argentinean Navy undertook a refit of the “Belgrano” that included removing the teak decks and replacing them with steel. That teak, almost 1” thick and interlocked, runs the full length of the decks of “Inward Bound.” “General Belgrano” was sunk during the Falklands/Malvinas War in 1982 by the British nuclear-powered submarine “HMS Conqueror.” So, some of the “USS Phoenix” has risen again!
“Barracuda" was sailed from Buenos Aires to the Caribbean and Chesapeake Bay in the late 80s and transported by freighter to Lake Ontario in 1988 for an Argentine doctor who had moved to Ontario. Gary purchased her in July 1995 and sailed her for the summer and then took her to Willie Walker’s Boat Yard in Whitby for updates and a refit during the winter of 1995-96. A new coach roof, prop shaft, a complete rewiring, and a storage locker and electrical panel in place of the starboard pilot berth were the main projects.
Gary sailed out the St. Lawrence River in July 1996 to Halifax and Mahone Bay. From there to Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands. Before returning to Ontario, Gary sailed to Antigua to compete in the Classic Yacht Races in 1998. She has been sailed in and around The Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario ever since. In 2004, Gary sailed her to Newport, Rhode Island to participate in the annual S&S gathering and to compete in the classic yacht races there. In 2015 Inward Bound was aquired by a new owner Mark Stoneweapon from Hamilton, Ontario, and she is currently being upgraded to start a new chapter of adventures.