12M 'DEFENDER'
€POA
Specification
Pedrick Yacht Designs
1982
Newport Rhode Island, USA 🇺🇸
US Duty Paid 🇺🇸
LOA: 19.53 m (64.1 ft)
Beam: 3.76 m (12.3 ft)
Draft: 2.67 m (8.75 ft)
Displacement: 24.5 tons
Construction: Aluminum
Designer: Pedrick Yacht Designs
Builder: Newport Offshore Ltd
Location: Newport, RI
Description
DEFENDER (US-33), an aluminum Twelve Metre designed by Pedrick Yacht Designs and built by Newport Offshore Ltd. A 1983 America’s Cup Defender Trials candidate, she was campaigned by Tom Blackaller and Gary Jobson with a world-class crew.
She later served as a trial horse, entered private ownership, and received an engine. A full Victory Team refit
(2010–2018) restored her competitiveness, including 1st Place at METREFEST NEWPORT (2017). She was
donated to the USMMA Sailing Foundation in 2020.
Vessel History:
1982–1983
– Built for light-air performance
using early computer modeling and
hydrodynamic testing. Entered the 1983
America’s Cup Defender Trials with Tom
Blackaller as skipper.
1986–2000
– Served as a trial horse for Heart of America, later sold to Brian Mock (CA). Engine installed in 1989. Cruised extensively under several owners until purchased in 2000 by Ken Carrico (FL).
2010–2018
-Victory Team Refit – Acquired by
Dennis Williams; transported to Rhode Island for a full refit. Structural rebuild, new systems, carbon spars, updated deck plan, and modern electronics. Returned to racing in 2017, winning METREFEST NEWPORT. Donated to the USMMA Sailing Foundation in 2018.
2019-2020
– Competed in the 12 Metre World Championship, finishing 7th in the Modern Division. Was subsequently donated to the USMMA Sailing Foundation Inc.
Boat Video
Upgrades & Modifications
Spars & Rigging
2008 Sail Spars 3-spreader carbon mast (indoor stored off-season)
2007 Composite Engineering carbon boom
Navtec standing rigging with titanium tips
Dual poles: carbon square spinnaker pole and aluminum spare
Construction
Hull soda-blasted, faired, and repainted (DuraPox epoxy)
Keel, Rudder & Steering
New keel tab system
Carbon rudder (Composite Solutions, 2017) with hydraulic trim tab and flaps
Hardware & Exterior
New mast step, chainplates, floors.
Rebuilt deck layout with new winch islands, traveler, mainsheet base Teak sole, reconfigured tailer’s pits
New hatch hardware
Interior
Engine, Mechanical
& Electrical
Electronics
Covers
Safety
Sails
Mainsails
Quantum DM1 (2005, recut for Victory)
M2 light-air main (Victory)
Headsails
Doyle Code 1–3 (recut for Defender J)
Quantum Code 1–3 carbon/aramid (2017)
Spinnakers
Doyle S1s North “Big Red” S2 Runner
North S4 heavy-air reacher
Quantum S2 AP Runner, S3 Power Runner
Quantum A1 VMG Asym
Extras
Extensive spare parts, sails, and tools included
Dry stored and professionally maintained offseason
Fully compliant with 12 Metre Class rules
Results Snapshot
1983 – America’s Cup Defender Trials
2017 – 1st Place, NYYC Around the Island Race (METREFEST NEWPORT)
2018 – 4th Place, Queen’s Cup
2019 – 7th Place, 12 Metre World Championship (Modern Division)
