Sailfish (sailboat)

The design is a shallow draft, sit-upon hull carrying a lateen rigged sail mounted to an un-stayed mast.

It was designed and built by Waterbury, Connecticut company Alcort, Inc., which took its name from founders Alex Bryan and Cortlandt Heyniger.

They started with constructing iceboats, and branched into small sailboats after being presented with a request to quote on a paddle board for the Red Cross.

The project did not pan out with the Red Cross, but Alex and Cortlandt felt an improved version might make a viable personal sailboat.

[1] In 1949, LIFE magazine published an article showcasing the Standard Sailfish, calling it "the sportiest little sailing craft afloat".

As a result of the national notoriety, Sailfish, and Alcort's later design, the Sunfish, became so well known their brand names became synonymous for nearly any board-style boat sporting the characteristic lateen rigged sail.

In the beginning, do-it-yourself boat builders crafted every piece, formed and assembled all the hardware from raw metal stock, and even sewed their own sail.

Boats built in the Alcort shop received a sail obtained through Old Town Canoe Co., made by sailmaker Ratsey & Lapthorn.

[1] Not long after introducing the Sailfish, Alcort decided to reach a broader market by supplying the boat in kit form.