On July 7, 2008 we received the following (edited) email from Don Zimmer.

Hello Ron,

My parents owned Hull # 22 (O’Day Dolphin), which we called “Flipper”, and sailed out of Amityville, NY, on the Great South Bay.  There were 2 leaping dolphins painted on the transom, one on either side of the name.  We owned her from about 1965 thru 1970, when she was traded in for a Morgan 34.

“Flipper” was sailed mostly in the Great South Bay, and was actively raced in the South Bay Cruising Club, under sail # 222.  We also had the opportunity to cruise to Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island, and Mystic, Ct in those early years.  We set up a great boom tent that provided us with 2 additional bunks - for a family of 6.  Many great memories and many great sailing experiences were enjoyed on “Flipper.”

There were one or 2 other Dolphins in the club at that time.  I will try to find some pictures and pick the brains of my parents to provide you with further info. Not sure where “Flipper” ended up after our ownership. We were the 2nd owners; at the time that we purchased her she was stored at Dutch Wharf, in Branford CT, and was formerly named “Unicorn”.

Best Regards,

Don Zimmer

Webmaster Note: In a weak moment I thought that maybe Flipper is now Psycho sailing in the Washington, DC area. Athough she was supposed to be a Yankee she has the number 222 on her sail. In a follow up email Don said he did not believe the vessel in Washington DC is “Flipper”.  He distinctly remembers a 7th window in the forward part of the cabin.  "Great for looking out as a kid. The vessel in Washington does not sport such a window. . "

Don also mentioned that Flipper was sold to a Bill Cook and that she lost her mast in a bridge incident.

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April 18, 2011, DFI Ian Holzmacher, Wanderlust, Yankee #122 sent in the following report

Hi Ron,

I decided to spend some more time searching through my old South Bay Cruising Club yearbooks for more dolphins. I found another dolphin in the 1990 yearbook.

Sail #: 2221
Name: Prim
Owner: David Hilgendorf

I'm curious if this is Don Zimmer's old boat http://www.dolphin24.org/flipper_Oday22.html because Flipper's sail number was 222. In 1990 sail number 222 was taken so they may of simply added a one at the end to change the sail number. There were only a few dolphins only the bay. So I think this is possibly Flipper.

Ian Holzmacher
Wanderlust #122

The curatorial staff at Dolphin24.org have determined that Prim was indeed Flipper, as always pending arrival of new evidence to the contrary. Accordingly, she shall have her own page. Click to go to her