History: Designed and built for Sven Salen to compete in
the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and the 1953 One Ton Cup, which was held on Long Island Sound. The One Ton Cup was won by Z42 Ylliam
VIII. Not satisfied with her performance in either regatta, or
perhaps because he had commissioned May Be VIII from Tore Holm,
Mr. Salen sold her to William "California Bill" Horton.
May Be VII came to Toronto in 1957 with US
81 Goose and US 94 Ondine for the
Toronto Globe & Mail North American Championships and the
Canadian American Team races, then records show she was in Norway
before coming back to the USA in the early 60's. She has sailed
for many years on Puget Sound, first in the very capable hands
of Eustace "Sunny" Vynne, who won the 1964, 1967 and 1968 Toronto Globe & Mail North Americans before that trophy
was retired for competition by 6 meters. The trophy is
now held by the Lake Ontario 8 meters. May Be VII placed 3rd
in the 1973 Worlds in Seattle, though did not place as well in
the 1979 Worlds while under charter. She came 3rd at the 2001 North Americans
and was the highest placing Classic. In 1998 she received a major
overhaul including new planking, rudder post, frames, and new
cockpit sole. May Be VII has been out of the water since 2006 and is currently undergoing some surgery to repair some broken frames, replace some floors and install cockpit coamings. She will likely reappear on the Puget Sound scene for the 2009 season.
In the slings before her relaunch in 1998.
Lipton Cup 1999
North American Classic Champion 2000
May Be VII on the docks at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki
