It took a modern type of material to lift sailboat design out of its hundred year doldrums. Ray Greene of Toledo, Ohio, concocted a mixture of new fiberglass fibers from Owens-Corning and polyester resin from American Cyanamid. Working in his garage, Greene came up with one of the first boats made of fiberglass in 1942. Later, Greene took his new material and produced the Rebel, a 16 foot daysailer. Everett Pearson has been credited for winning over the public with his fiberglass Triton, trimming down hull thicknesses, while creating a sleek, safe design. During the 1960s, U.S.boat builders stepped-up into mass production, lead by Morgan Yachts, Pearson, Columbia, Wayfarer, and Jensen Marine.
Today, sailboats are still improving and modern manufacturers aim for lighter, stronger and faster designs. Pictured here on Connecticut's Mystic River is a modern fiberglass sailboat, while the well known, historic wooden sailing vessels are anchored nearby.