Judged by the Cover

Photography by Rod Harris

Text by Jens Oomes

Rod Harris from Boston is a regatta and photo-journalist for The Islander. Based in Newport, Rhode Island, he has dedicated his life to photographing yachts and crews in racing mode. At last year’s Camden Classics ‘22, he shot the amazing cover picture of the classic yawl “Black Watch”.

The name of the yacht is as mystical as the dramatic skies under which Rod has captured it. The broad-shouldered spinnaker spills out in every direction from the rest of the yacht’s wardrobe. It’s looking proud and powerful, reflecting the sun. However, the waters ahead are dark and the sky above it foreboding... But, she’s an extremely brave girl. In fact, she earned a battle flag for scaring away German submarines! In WWII, her first owners loaned the boat to the US Navy as part of the civilian Corsair Fleet. *

The yawl Black Watch is design No218 by the legendary duo Sparkman and Stephens. She was their first tank-tested model and was launched in 1938. She measures 20.7m (68ft) LOA and has a 4.4m (14,7”) beam.

Find more of Rod Harris’s beautiful work on www.rodharrisphoto.com and follow him in Instagram @rodharrisphoto

*source: classicyachtinfo.com