By D.R. Friedkin
On an unassuming Wednesday afternoon this past September, I wandered into a local estate sale never imagining it would lead me on a journey into the fascinating and little-known world of Pond Yachts.
In the basement of the house, tucked away beneath years of dust and time, was what I first assumed was an unusually large model sailboat (Pic 1). It was a commanding presence: 84 inches long, a 90-inch mast rising boldly from its deck, and a beam of 14 inches. The craftsmanship instantly caught my eye. I’d spent 40 years immersed in fine woodworking and recognized the hand of a master (Pic 2). That night, curiosity took hold, and I turned to Google.
What I discovered sparked a wave of excitement: I hadn’t stumbled upon just any model boat—I had found a Vintage Pond Yacht.
The next day, Thursday, the estate sales’ 25% off day, I returned, determined to take a closer look. In the garage, I discovered a heavy, 45-pound curiosity encased in a wooden box. I pointed it out to the estate sale personnel who guessed it was “something to do with making cigars.” But I recognized the same distinctive color as the yacht’s hull. I suggested, that I believed, it was part of the large boat in the basement and she had me carry it downstairs to reunite it with the yacht (Pics 3 & 4).
That evening, I dove deeper into researching Vintage Pond Yachts and was astonished to learn that models much smaller in length were fetching large prices. On Friday—50% off day—I raced back to the sale. It was still available, and just like that, I became the new owner of this remarkable vessel.
The Craftsmanship of a Legend
From the moment I laid eyes on it, I knew this wasn’t just any model. I told my wife it was like the Stradivarius of model boats. It turns out I may not have been far off.
After joining the U.S. Vintage Model Yacht Group (US VMYG) and sharing photos and measurements, I quickly heard back. Members were buzzing about the possibility that this yacht was a rare gem. At 84 inches, it fits into the Class A category—an unusually large size that is no longer raced competitively. Equally amazing is the fact that this yacht included 9 different sails (Pic 5).
As interest grew, I was encouraged to trace its origins. Though the original owner had passed away in 2016 at the age of 87, I managed to contact his 72-year-old son. He remembered his father taking him to sail the boat a couple of times, as a child, at the Belle Isle Pond in Detroit.
The trail began to take shape.
Clues Point to a Master Builder: W.G. Bithell
Whispers within the US VMYG community urged me to look for any connection to William G. Bithell—an iconic figure in pond yacht history. Bithell, along with Fred Pigeon, his mentor, were the first Americans to win the International Regatta in Europe in 1948 with their 84″ yacht Ranger. Bithell’s craftsmanship and sailing skill were the stuff of legend.
As I combed over every inch of the boat, I found it: the initials “W.G.B.” stamped on the chrome mast receiver (Pic 6). A week later, the faintest imprint of “W.G. Bithell” revealed itself on the hem of the main sail (Pic 7).
The evidence was building.
Additional discoveries only deepened the mystery:
· Bithell is known to have built 25–30 yachts modeled after his winning vessel, Ranger.
· He sailed multiple times at Belle Isle—the very location this yacht last touched water.
· Historical accounts note that in 1951, a modified version of Ranger defeated the British yacht Shalimar to retain the International Cup keeping it in the U.S.
In a stunning twist, the Spinnaker Pole that came with my yacht has “Shalimar” lightly penciled across it (Pic 8). Could this have been a gift of sportsmanship from the Shalimar crew to Bithell for having won that legendary race?
I Believe This Yacht Was Built by William G. Bithell
While I don’t possess a paper trail confirming that this yacht was indeed built by W.G.Bithell, or the winning yacht in the 1951 International regatta, the very presence of the silk spinnaker and pole speaks most definitely that this is the case. Below are the compelling facts that point to this conclusion.
1. The craftsmanship is beyond exceptional—a Stradivarius of model yachts.
2. The sails are made of high thread count Egyptian cotton, a signature choice of Bithell.
3. His initials are stamped into the mast receiver.
4. His name “W.G. Bithell” is written on the hem of the main sail.
5. The chrome-plated fittings are consistent with Bithell’s work—he was known to use chrome rather than brass.
6. The intricate detail inside the hull speaks to a builder with deep experience and skill in building Pond Yachts (Pic 9).
7. The yachts resemblance to the 84” long yacht that Bithell was known to build.
8. Finally, the presence of the large silk spinnaker sail and pole labeled “Shalimar” strongly suggests that this is the very yacht that defeated her in 1951.
9. The previous owner cherished this yacht for more than 65 years, keeping it in absolutely pristine condition—and it shows!
Finally, a fair wind and a following sea!
Just this past November 2025, I contacted the Model Yacht Association in the UK through their website. I indicated that I was in possession of the Silk Spinnaker and Pole from the “Shalimar” and would be happy to return it to be reunited with their Yacht. Although they knew about the 1951 Regatta and the Shalimar, they regretfully admitted they had no knowledge of its whereabouts. However, I was told that it wasn’t unusual, in important regattas, for the runner up to honor the winner with a token of their respect, and in this case, the Silk Spinnaker sail and Pole from the Shalimar.
