I guess anybody having sails made or renovated could have the double class insignia put on their sails?. To avoid the 'military' look of the Commander design?
The Commander for sale on Martha's Vineyard is my beloved Francine. She’s a 1965 Commander, Hull #131 which I purchased in 1985 from my uncle Joe - who bought her around 1975 and named her for my aunt Francine. Uncle Joe paid $6,000 in 1975 and sold her to me for $9,000 in 1985, but that’s another story.
Joe had her in Sheapshead Bay in Brooklyn, N.Y. I sailed her around Coney Island, past the Statute of Liberty, up the East River and through Long Island Sound to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts where she's been moored in Lake Tashmoo ever since.
FYI - I requested the Commander insignia when I ordered a new main and jib from Hild Sails in 1994, but Hild delivered the main with the Ariel insignia instead. My consolation is that Hild built good sails and I've been proud to fly the insignia as I've always envied the cruising accommodations which Alberg provided in the Ariel.
The Commander has been a perfect daysailer to take a crowd out to picnic at Tarpaulin Cove, to fish Middle Ground, or to ride the ebb tide to Cuttyhunk and then ride the flood tide back to Tashmoo. My wife and I used to cruise the Commander when we were younger, but our cruising diminished to nil as we succumbed to the comforts of home. I recently turned 57, there are only so many summers, and I want to cruise again with my wife. Therefore, I’ve decided that Francine has got to go in favor of a cushy Nonsuch 26 with a propane stove and pressure hot water shower. I hope Ariel Association members can forgive me, but rest assured that Francine will be missed.
I am attaching a few recent photos, and also a photo taken around 1990 showing Francine with her original main with the Commander insignia.
I would be happy to discuss Francine with anyone who appreciates the Commander and may be interested in the possibility of giving her a good home.
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