Intuition (Peterson 42)

Intuition was a Doug Peterson design 42 footer, the second boat of that name for US yachtsman Pat Malloy and commissioned for the 1981 SORC and Admiral's Cup trials. She was beautifully built in aluminium and represented a the continuation of the Peterson design approach, with a longer and open transom and truncated in the style of his earlier One Tonner B195, albeit slightly narrower in section.   

There is not a lot of information available on Intuition, and so this post primarily features some good photographs of the Intuition yachts gathered from photographers Jonathan Eastland, Paul Mello, Larry Moran, Francois Richard and others.

Intuition seen here on the hardstand, possibly being prepared for her first launching (photo Paul Mello)

Intuition during the 1981 SORC (photo Phil Uhl)

Intuition during a mark rounding possibly during the 1981 SORC (photo Doug Peterson Tribute Page)

Intuition contested the six race US trials (including the 1981 SORC) for the 1981 Admiral's Cup team. Intuition finished in fourth place, but with the winner Louisiana Crude having been sold she was guaranteed a place in the US team. Malloy joined fellow competitor Bill Martin (Stars & Stripes), however, in protesting the rating of one of the top yachts, the 48ft Peterson design Williwaw, sailed by Dennis Conner.  After re-measurement, Williwaw's rating jumped a foot to 38.1ft, and Intuition was joined by Scaramouche and Stars & Stripes. One effect of the shakeup was that the US team arrived in Cowes with a lower-rating team than the one they had planned. 

Close up view of the deck layout of Intuition (at the 1981 Admiral's Cup) - note the fore/aft and inboard/outboard genoa track system

Intuition rounds a weather mark in the second race of the 1981 Admiral's Cup

Intuition during the Channel Race in the 1981 Admiral's Cup (above) and at the start of possibly the same race (below) (photos Jonathan Eastland Jonathan Eastland archives)

The smaller team proved to be better suited to what was a generally light airs series, and the US team finished in second place overall, with Intuition the second yacht of the team behind Stars & Stripes, posting a reasonable 12th in the individual standings. 

Intuition during the 1981 Admiral's Cup (photo Francois Richard)

Malloy's earlier yacht, the 51 foot Holland design Intuition which he had campaigned in the 1980 SORC to 4th in Class B and 7th overall, and seen here during the 1983 series (photo Larry Moran)

Intuition did appear again in a new white and red-stripe livery for the 1984 SORC, although it seems that she was off the pace by this stage, finishing in 13th place in Class D, and 68th overall. She went on to compete in the 1984 Clipper Cup, where she had a poor regatta, finishing last of 33 boats after posting a DNF in three of the five races, including the final Round the State Race.

Intuition seen here (above and below) during the St Petersburg to Ft Lauderdale race during the 1984 SORC (photo Larry Moran)

Intuition arrives at a bottom mark during the 1984 Clipper Cup series, in close company with the Farr 40 Indian Pacific (left) and the Dubois 40 Seaulater (right) (photo John Malitte/Sea Spray)

Article updated June 2024