Unique is one way to describe Gleam, one of the many competitors in the newly expanded BHYC Regatta. A 1937 vintage 12-meter sloop and Americas Cup contender trial horse, Gleam will be sailing alongside several other larger “vintage classic” yachts in this year’s BHYC Regatta and Shipyard Cup Classics Challenge.

Designed by Clinton Crane and built at the Henry B. Nevins boatyard in 1937, the boat is 68 feet overall with a waterline length of 44 feet and a beam of 12 feet. She represents a style of very much-admired past America’s Cup yachts. Constructed of double mahogany and cedar planking on oak frames, her brilliant white appearance is evocative of her name, Gleam.

Originally, she was named Akaba, but during construction was changed to Gleam because Mrs. Crane had read the Alfred Lord Tennyson piece “Merlin and the Gleam” and thought it would be appropriate to name her Gleam after reading “All but in Heaven hovers the Gleam. Follow, follow, follow the Gleam.”

Gleam has been featured on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” The Discovery Channel and PBS. She has also graced the pages of countless magazines such as Town and Country, Wooden Boat, Sailing World, Classic Boat and Yachting World, just to name a few. Her interior was selected to appear in the book of Classic Yacht Interiors.

“Bristol Marine has been a proud sponsor of classic yachting in Rhode Island,” says Bristol Marine president Andy Tyska and Gleam owner. “We are excited to help support this new classic event in Boothbay Harbor.”

See You There! Sunday, July 25, 10 a.m. — Inner harbor parade of BHYC Regatta Shipyard Cup Classic Challenge racing boats — parade route east side to west — Announcer heard at Whale Park, Coastal Prime, or on VHF channel 72. For more information, contact Andy Mutch, 410-353-3861