Cape May Court House in Middle Township in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Moth

Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 24, 2025

1. Moth Marker

Inscription. The moth boat is a small, single-handed sailing dinghy first designed in 1929 by Joel Van Sant in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Originally created as an affordable and easily constructed racing craft, the moth features a light weight, 11-foot hull and a simple rig, prioritizing speed and maneuverability. Overtime, the design evolved in to an international class, with innovations like hydro foils and advanced materials transforming the modern moth in to one of the fastest sailing dinghies in the world. Despite these advancements, the class maintains a legacy of accessibility and innovation, appealing to sailors seeking high-performance competition.

This specific boat was bought by Ralph Hendee Sr. decades ago. It was built in England and it was shipped to Stone Harbor. The boat was then sailed by Kevin Pain (Ralph's grandson). Then they moved the boat to Nags Head, NC in the early 80's, under took a 2 year restoration project and brought the boat back to Stone Harbor and donated it to the Stone Harbor Museum. Then the Stone Harbor Museum gave the same boat to this museum.

Erected 2025 by Darp Patel, Troop 1065.

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 39° 5.763′ N, 74° 48.716′ W. Marker is in Middle Township, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It is in Cape May Court House. It can be reached from North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 504 N Main St, Cape May Court House NJ 08210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Barnegat Sneakbox (here, next to this marker); Comet (here, next to this marker); Bang! (a few steps from this marker); Glenn Rudderow (a few steps from this marker); John Holmes House (within shouting distance of this marker);

Moth Marker - wide view with boat itself image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 24, 2025

2. Moth Marker - wide view with boat itself

Thomas Beesley House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ankole-Watusi (approx. ¼ mile away); Ring-Tailed Lemur Conservation (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middle Township.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 24, 2025

3. Moth Marker

This display was put together as part of an Eagle Scout project.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 24, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.