The ST. FRANCIS IX what is given on the stamp can’t be the correct yacht, there was a yacht under that name but she was of the 6-metre class and had nothing to do with the America Cup of 1987. Anyhow she has a blue hull with a red deck, and did belong to the St. Francis Yacht Club. See: http://www.6mrnorthamerica.com/sf9.html
Most probably the intention was to depict the yacht USA US-61 which took part in the race of that year which also belongs to the St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco. If she is the yacht depict is doubtful?
They built two yachts the USA 1 with sail no US 49 which was a prototype of the USA 2 with sail no US 61 only the USA US 61 took part in the challenge race. Not a sail no is visible on the stamp and also the two USA yachts did have a white hull, while the stamp shows a blue hull. There are a lot of design errors in the America Cup yachts, and you can make a nice collection of it.
Built by Director Shipyards for the Golden Gate Challenge San Francisco and designed by Gary Mull.
Can not find displacement and dimensions.
In 1986 under skipper Tom Blackaller was she one of the thirteen yachts that competed to be selected challenger for the America’s Cup in Freemantle in 1986/87. She reached in the challenges race the semi-finals but she lost to the USA yacht STAR & STRIPES 87.
1988 Transferred to The St Francis 12 Foundation, San Francisco CA, not renamed.
1993 Sold to Robert B Cote, Woodside CA, not renamed.
1996 Sold again to The St Francis 12 Foundation, San Francisco, not renamed.
2000 Sold to Irvine Laidlaw, Monte Carlo, Monaco and renamed in ECOSSE.
2005 Sold to USA-61 LLC Syndicate (Jan Slee, managing director), Newport RI renamed again in USA.
2010 Sold to Guy Heckman, Newport, RI not renamed.
2014 Still in Newport, same name and owner used for charter and match racing.
Solomon Islands 1986 $1 sg570a , scott571j
Source: http://www.12mrclass.com/yacht-search/d ... 05696.html Watercraft Philately.