Santana was the brainchild of W. L. Stewart, Jr., the son of the founder of the Union Oil Company. She was designed by the hotshot young designer Olin Stephens of Sparkman & Stephens (S & S). Stewart wanted a schooner that could show her heels to the best and brightest both on coasts. Constructed of mahogany planks over white oak frames at Wilmington Boat Works in Southern California, Santana was launched on October 24,1935. Prior to the start of her construction, Olin Stephens tried to convince Stewart to build a yawl but he resisted; he had always wanted a schooner and that’s what Santana would be. As it turned out, Stephens' recommendation was correct, and boats like Baruna and Dorade, both yawls and S & S designs, dominated the racing scene. Finally it was Julia Stewart, W. L.’s, wife who persuaded him to build a new boat. She is quoted as saying, "I was the reason he sold 'Santana". I told him, "You need a bigger boat to accommodate you and your fat friends." Mrs. Stewart thought it would be a shame to re-rig Santana as a yawl since she was built to be a schooner. W. L. listened to his wife and asked Stephens to design him a 67’ yawl which he named Chubasco, Spanish for a small storm, or squall. Charles Isaacs & Eva Gabor - next >