TERRANCE PHILLIPS -- The Harbor Column

Within the scope of what is known as the “big picture,” it is no more

than a mere indentation in the ocean. However, it can make a large

indentation in your wallet. These ocean indentations are commonly

referred to as boats.

From the 1950s through the middle 1970s, the Costa Mesa area was a

boat-building hothouse. There was probably no other place in the country

that hosted more boat builders in such a compact area. From 19th Street

to a block or two shy of Hoag Hospital, Pomona and Placentia streets were

buzzing with builders such as: Columbia, Pacifica, Mac Gregor (still

there), Islander, Erickson, Cal, Crystaliner (still there), Westsail,

Westerly Marine (recently moved to Irvine), Ditmar Donaldson and more.

The Duffield Electric Boat Co. (Duffy) also got its start on the corner

of 17th and Pomona streets. However, it has since moved the building

operation to the Inland Empire.

Where have they gone and why?

“I think most of them (builders) eventually moved away because of

either mergers with larger companies or the lack of space for expansion,”

said world-renowned yacht designer and Corona Del Mar resident Alan

Andrews.

Andrews grew up in Newport Beach and graduated from Newport Harbor

High School in 1973. He’s internationally recognized as a designer of

very fast “ocean indentations” and has designed some highly visible

racing yachts. “Front Runner” (formally Victoria) and “Cheval,” both

Andrews 70s, have been forces in the big boat category for a decade. In

the 1995 Transpac (Los Angeles to Honolulu), Cheval got the prestigious

first-to-finish trophy, and in 1994, “Growler,” an Andrews 40, won the

Kenwood Cup.

Andrews mentioned that many yacht designers and builders were drawn to

Newport Beach because it was a great place to launch boats. When vacant

land began to shrink in Costa Mesa, the rent factor began to escalate to

a point where it was no longer feasible to meet necessary profit margins.

Many moved to Santa Ana, Irvine and even down to Mexico (Erickson).

“In the last 20 years, there’s been huge advancements in boat design,”

Andrews said. “Most of the advancements have been a result of available,

new materials such as carbon-fiber masts. The computer has also made a

major difference in design. Now we can see on a screen what used to

require a completed boat and sea trial.”

The newest “quickies” you’ll be seeing tested in our harbor will be a

new design called a “Transpac 52.” Consistent with the Transpac Yacht

Club specifications, two Andrews 52 Transpac’s will be trial-tested here

for the 2001 Transpac race this coming July.

Although two are under construction (Westerly Marine, builder of the

Paul Cayard America’s Cup 2000 entry, “America One”), only Mike

Campbell’s boat will enter this year’s race to Honolulu.

* TERRANCE PHILLIPS is the Daily Pilot’s boating writer. You can reach

him via e-mail at o7 [email protected]