About Doris (sailing yacht)
Historic Architecture, Architecture, Interesting Places, Other Buildings And Structures
Doris is a sailing yacht, which has also been known as Astarte, Huntress and Vayu, in Deep River, Connecticut that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. She was designed by Nathanael Herreshoff, who designed five America's Cup defender yachts and who also was the main architect of the America's Cup rule change called the Universal Rule. That rule allowed for displacement as well as length and sail area to be included in a formula defining yacht eligibility, and enabled more "sea-kindly" and roomier yachts to be competitive. Previously, America Cup racers were often "either sleek and fast, but had unseaworthy characteristics, or scow-like vessels which were cumbersome but safe and able passage-makers." Doris is believed to be the largest Herreshoff-designed sloop that was built and has survived. She is said to be the first boat built under the Universal Rule.
