Vineyard Open House Blog

Three J Class Yachts Commit to Compete in Newport J Class Regatta June 15 -19

Shamrock V: Original J Class yacht coming to Newport.

Three J Class yachts--RANGER, VELSHEDA  and SHAMROCK V--have announced that they will compete in the J Class Regatta in Newport next month. The event for these massive, classic yachts, will be the first competitive J Class regatta for three yachts in the USA since the America's Cup event of 1937 between the Defender Ranger and the Challenger Endeavour II.

The J Class Association will manage the US-based event, where the yachts will be based from Newport Shipyard. Courses will be set from the point at Fort Adams and held around the inner bay, allowing for shoreline spectators to benefit from this first event to be sailed under JCA rules.

The J Class Newport Regatta is the first of a series of global J Class events which will cultimate in the Hundred Guinea Cup race in Cowes on the Isle of Wight in 2012.

The J Class yachts under sail are a sight not to be missed. No other class requires a crew of 30-plus experienced sailors to manage more than 10,000 square feet of sail driving a 200-ton hull at 16 knots around the course.

Newport was the venue for the start of the remarkable J Class era which began in 1930. Over the next seven years just 10 of these stunning yachts constructed for the purpose of winning the America’s Cup. Shamrock V and Velsheda--two of the original 10 yachts--will participate in Newport, together with Ranger, a true replica of the original. Negotiations to bring the other new J yachts to Newport are continuing.

Sail Newport and the J Class Association are responsible for the on water race management of the regatta. The yachts and their teams will be based at the Newport Shipyard with crews staying at the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina.

The regatta series of five races will run from June 15th to 19th, 2011 with starts and finishes off of Fort Adams. Viewing stands will be set up on the Northwestern corner of Fort Adams and other excellent viewing options will be at Castle Hill Inn and various spots in Jamestown. Working with the US Coast Guard, Sail Newport will establish safe water viewing areas along the entire course. For more information about the event, go to the J Class Regatta website.

Race Programme
Wednesday 15th June : Race 1 Start 11.00
Thursday 16th June : Race 2 Start 11.00
Friday 17th June : Race 3 Start 11.00
Saturday 18th June : Race 4 Start 11.00
Sunday 19th June : Race 5 Start 11.00

Price Drop--Again! Phoenix, a 64' S&S Commuter Yacht, Is Yours for 30% Off

Phoenix in her glory days in the 1930s.

    * Boat Name: Phoenix
    * Year: 1937
    * Current Price: US $250,000  $199,000 $175,000 $155,000
    * Located in Boothbay Harbor, ME
    * Hull Material: Wood
    * Engine/Fuel Type: Twin diesel
    * YW# 1877-2212250

The price of Phoenix, a 64' Sparkman & Stephens commuter yacht built in 1937, has undergone another price drop. The classic is now being offered for $175,000--30 percent less than its original asking price of $250,000. The price was first lowered 20 percent just a week after it went on the market in March and has now been reduced by another 10 percent.

UPDATE: Price has been further reduced to $155,000.

Still looking good.

Phoenix has been trucked across country to a well respected boatyard that specializes in classic yachts on the coast of Maine where she awaits her next owner and the restoration that will give this unique piece of yachting history a new life. The most recent price reduction indicates the current owners desire to sell the boat immediately.  All reasonable offers are encouraged.

Gold-Plated History
The Consolidated Shipbuilding of New York City built some of the most famous commuter yachts of the 1920s and '30s. These sleek, swift yet elegant vessels were the preferred method of transportation to and from the financial district of Manhattan for the Wall Street magnates and industrialists that resided in the Connecticut and Long Island suburbs. Sparkman & Stephens collaborated with Consolidated on a number of famous Commuters. Phoenix was designed and built for E.E. Dickenson Jr. in 1937.

On a run.

However, this is the very last available Sparkman & Stephens commuter in existence. This additional price reduction underscores the owners's desire to move the boat. 

Some TLC is in order.

Phoenix represents an opportunity for a new owner to put her through restoration and own a historically significant commuter. A partial trade would be considered, such as a 28'-35' Down East style lobster yacht or similar. This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of yachting history.

For more information, contact Central Agent - Jeff Grey,  Office: 401-847-5449, Cell: 774-454-7638

Center for Wooden Boats: A Place for Lovers of Classic Boats & Beauty of Wood

For Sale at CWB: 30' Hong Kong Offshore Teak Sloop.

One of our favorite website is the Center for Wooden Boats. It is located on the other side of the world in Seattle from us here in CT, but we love to check out the website for its boats for sale to dream a little. One beauty that it has had for sale for a while is a 30' Hong Kong Offshore Teak Sloop.

A 1964 traditional teak sloop built in Hong Kong and designed by Wirth Monroe, it was built by Robin Fung. It comes fully rigged with covers, a Yanmar 15hp diesel and roller furling. It sleeps 4, and with 6' 6" headroom gives your taller crew a confortable sense of space.

It is als equipped with Monel water and fuel tanks, SS holding tank. The hull was newly painted in in May 2010 and will the envy of your friends--a classic beauty. What's not to like for just $10,500?

Sparkman & Stephens Offers Abeking & Rasmussen Rhodes 27 for $150,000

40' Abeking & Rasmussen Rhodes 27 now for sale for $150,000.

    * Year: 1955
    * Current Price: US$ 150,000
    * Located In Mattapoisett, MA
    * Hull Material: Wood
    * Engine/Fuel Type: Single diesel
    * YW# 1877-2300999

Looking handsome at the wheel.

Sparkman & Stephens was recently appointed as central agents for the "Adventuress," a 1955 40' Abeking & Rasmussen-built Rhodes 27 Sloop.

Galley.

Accommodations
From forward, a chain locker, V-berth, head port with lockers opposite, main salon with 2 berths, galley aft.  Galley equipment includes a 2-burner Origo 3000 alcohol stove, icebox, stainless sink. The ventilation through deck hatches and opening ports is very good.  Cabin soles are teak and holly, joiner work is mahogany. 

For more information, Contact Central Agent - Jeff Grey Cell: 774-454-7638, email.

$25,000 Price Drop for 28' Ralph Stanley Herreshoff Rozinante to $125,000

This 28' Ralph Stanley Herreshoff Rozinante is for sale.

UPDATE: See the latest story on this boat:
Still for Sale--Ralph Stanley Herreshoff Rozinante Reduced 38% to $77,500

    * Year: 1982
    * Current Price: US$ 125,000
    * Located in Bass Harbor, ME
    * Hull Material: Wood
    * Engine/Fuel Type: Single diesel
    * YW# 12144-1996917

The price has just been dropped $25,000 by the motivated seller, the sole owner, on "Rose," a one-of-a-kind, heirloom quality example of the highly regarded Herreshoff Canoe Yawl design (Rozinante). She is now available for $125,000.

Beautiful wood details.

Custom constructed by one of Maine's foremost wooden boat builders, she has been meticulously maintained by the builder's yard in as-good-(if not better)-as-new condition.

Cockpit.

"Rose" is a beauty to behold and a joy to sail. She turns heads wherever she voyages and will grace any harbor. This classic is for sale due to the owner's age.

This cozy stove should seal the deal.

She'll be a head-turner wherever she goes.

For more information about this and other Morris Yachts Brokerage listings, please contact James Allen, Brokerage Director at 207-244-5509.

'Eider Down' 51' Morris Apogee 50 for Sale, the Product of Beautiful Wood Working

51' Morris Apogee 50

    * Year: 2004
    * Current Price: US$ 840,000
    * Located in Wareham, MA
    * Hull Material: Fiberglass
    * Engine/Fuel Type: Single diesel
    * YW# 12144-2285208

Here's the take from Morris Yachts: "EIDER DOWN is an exceptional vessel, built by Morris Yachts soon after purchasing Able Marine. She was layed up by Morris in 2001 and finished in 2004 by an extremely detail-oriented owner whose company specializes in high-end woodworking.

"Imagine a boat that was built personally by a boat builder with no time constraints, and every square inch inspected at length by the owner.  A recent surveyor reported that 'she was one of the very few vessels in his surveying career that he would place in the BRISTOL category.'

The finished woodwork sparkles with warmth and quality. 

"He went on to say 'the workmanship is second to none" and "this is a very well equipped vessel with what appears to be a well-informed and experienced owner.' " For complete listing with more than 50 photos, go to Morris Yachts.

For more information, Contact Morris Yachts, 53 Granville Road, PO Box 395, Bass Harbor, ME 04653 US, or call Toll-free 877-225-6689; local, 207-244-5509.

Avanti Out of the Water for the Winter Starts Getting Ready for Next Year

Avanti is out of the water and sitting on the front lawn. An active summer (17 races in Holmes Hole alone) brought about dings, a grounding and other adventures. With the weather still good, my friend Chris gets to work repairing the rub rail which has to be replaced. First he takes off what's left of the old rail, cleans the surface and fills the holes left by old screws.

Close by a is a Japanese Maple looking magnificent in its autumn colors.

Day of Reckoning Approaches as Arctic Tern Project Edges Toward Launch Day

The day of recokoning--launch day--is drawing closer for The Arctic Tern Project, a DIY boat building project begun in 2004 by Peter Gron of Gabriola Island, BC, Canada.

Sail dreams turned into boards and beams when Gron erected a boat shed in the autumn of 2004 and started building his now gleaming 23' Arctic Tern sloop. Here are two recent photos. Splash day is not far away!

 

Fall's Last Sail in Vineyard Haven Takes in October Evening Light & Harbor's Sailcraft

October 31 presented a real treat to Vineyard Haven Harbor, a WSW breeze and 11-15 knots of wind for a beautiful end-of-fall sail. Elise and I took out Avanti for one last ride as well as a harbor tour of the magnificent sailboats--large and small--that are moored there. See below for an incomplete photo essay of the harbor's calvalcade of stars.

Avanti, a Cape Dory 270, heads out under jib power.

Avanti on the mooring at day's end.

Catboat.

The only other boat on the water.

Dwarfed by the transom of the Black Dog Ship Alabama, a two-masted schooner.

Celeste, built by Gannon & Benjamin.

Magic Time, a Vineyard Vixen built by the Martha's Vineyard Shipyard and owned by Dan Culkin, commodore of Holmes Hole Sailing Association.

Falcor, built in the beginning of the last century from plans published in Rudder magazine.

Juno, the largest sailboat built to date by Gannon & Benjamin.

Close-up of Black Dog Ship Shenandoah.

Close-up of Black Dog Ship Shenandoah.

Summertime.

Wooden boats by Gannon & Benjamin.

Roger Becker's Gloria, ready for winter.

Sparkman & Stephens to Exhibit at Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Oct 28

The Sparkman & Stephens design and brokerage booth.

Sparkman & Stephens will again be exhibiting at the upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, to be held October 28 - November 1 at the Radisson Bahia Mar Yachting Center and five other locations. Look for their design/brokerage booth in the Superyacht Builders & Designers tent, booth No. 765.

The 126' Feadship Krisujen will be at the show.

Sparkman & Stephens will also have the 126' Feadship Krisujen on display, located at dock FG, between the Superyacht Builders & Designers tent and the Swimming Hall of Fame. See the boat show schedule below.

BOAT SHOW SCHEDULE
October 28 - November 1, 2010

Prime Time Preview:
Thurs. Oct 28, 10am - 7pm

General Admission:
Fri. Oct 29, 10am - 7pm
Sat. Oct 30, 10am - 7pm
Sun. Oct 31, 10am - 7pm
Mon. Nov 1, 10am - 5pm