The first known boat designed and built by Dr. Archie A. Steele behind his medical office in Los Angeles. The exact built date is not known though the timeline does suggest to the early 1930s. At 24.5 LOD, Placebo was the smallest followed by Stella Maris in 1936 at 40 feet and Stella Maris II in 1939, which the Doctor raced to victory in the transpacific race. Stella Maris I was later purchased by Dr Jay Conner, the grandfather to Dennis Conner.
Placebo is favored to win in light air races and does seem to move regardless if there is no wind. Having a pronounced tumblehome that comes into play at heel and plenty of ballast at 2100lbs, plus ample sail does enable motion even on the calmest of days.
Placebo is fully rebuilt to include recasting the Lead ballast, replace of all frames, planks, keel timber, deck, cabin and sails. Bronze replaced steel fasteners. Placebo is ready for another ninety years of sailing.
