Fall is in the air! Tartan 4000 arrival....

We unloaded a new Tartan 4000 this afternoon in the rain, a new arrival from the factory in Cleveland. She will have her spars stepped Monday and begin preparation for the Tartan display at the United States Boatshow. This boat is lucky hull #7 of the Tartan 4000 and will be rigged with carbon fibre mast and boom as standard equipment. Good looking yacht!

Survey in New England

I helped client Bob Danehower gain a contract on a very nice Bristol 41.1 that is located in Fairhaven, Mass. Bob elected to fly surveyor Fred Wise (Galena, Md) up to inspect the boat. With a Ted Hood design there is always the question as to how you verify the condition of the centerboard/pendent/nico-press, et.al, Pictured is Fred inspecting the board that was replaced only five years ago, so no problems there!

Freedom 40 Sea-trial.....Courageous US-26 continues to look good!

I had a great sail on Narraganset Bay this past week with my  clients Jake&Kay Mast of Virginia. This was to sea-trial the Freedom 40 hull #17. It was a real pleasure to sail with "like new" Quantum sails and helmsman Jake Mast who quickly found the boats groove. This boat is a Pedrick design and plenty slippery!

It's always fun to see what is on the historic waterfront along Naraganset Bay; pictured is the remarkable US-12 "Courageous" that has such a remarkable history. I built sails for the boat going into the 1983 Defenders Trials when after all those years she ably  served as trial horse to Defender. Great to see the great boat shining still!

Sabre 38 Hull#77

This spring I have had the pleasure of working with Don Kollmorgen and Louise Woerner on the purchase of a new 38' Sabre (sedan) powered by the Volvo IPS system. Although our sea trial was temporarily interrupted by an inspection from a youthful home-land security crew, we continued up the Severn River to prove the ability of the "Pod" drive system.
Both Don and Louise appear to be quick studies and were able to walk the boat sideways with a 12 knot breeze directly on the beam of the boat. This is exciting new technology to us that we expect to be particulary helpful at low speeds/docking maneuvers. At speed the boat carves a turn that feels like a well tuned ski! There is a noticeable lack of vibration, cavitation, smoke,soot and noise.

Sabre Yachts built high quality sailing yachts for years and is now applying that know-how and aesthetic to build really pleasing power boats for sailor's. This 38 is handsome in the tradition of Maine built boats and combines a "Hunt-style" deep-vee entry with a low center of gravity.

I have really enjoyed the process of working through numerous options with Don&Louise, and wish them all the best in the enjoyment of their new boat!

MJM34 Discovery on Eastern Shore of Maryland

The dogwoods are blooming on the Shore and we got away for a couple days of bike-riding. We discovered a lovely mint condition 2006 MJM 34, which is a downeaster designed by Doug Zurn and built by Mark Lindsey.
Although borrowing in some regard from the tradition of Jarvis Newman and his peers on the Maine Coast, this offering is extremely hi-tech as to design and construction. As a result she offers speeds and economy that a traditional full keel round bilge yacht will not approach.

If you or a friend want to explore the world of MJM's lets get over to the "Shore"!

Selene 53 2009 4-Sale in "Like New" condition!

M/V "Moonbeam" is Hull#93 of the Selene 53's built by Jet-Tern Marine. She is a superb design and build and this boat was gently broken in, her only usage to date having been the inland "Loop". A recent price reduction makes "Moonbeam" a very attractive offering of a turn-key boat in top condition.

* Twin "Q-series" Cummins Electronic Diesels
* Hydraulic Active Fin Stabilizers
* 16 KW Northern Lights Diesel Generator
* 24 Volt power
* Hydraulic Dingy hoist mechanism
* RIB on hard-top
* Superb Satin-finish Teak Interior
* Owners Stateroom is Amid-Ships (Guest Stateroom Forward)

Much more lightly used gear; Call Scott Taylor for additional information and to make an apointment: 410 991 9798

Pilothouse Helm

Kady-Krogen 39 Pilothouse Trawler

Repeat client Neil Jordaan recently settled on a 39' stabilized Kadey-Krogen.The original owners/sellers were also repeat clients and were living aboard the boat in Virginia. Surveys and sea trials were on the Elizabeth River Norfolk and Portsmouth which was busy even in the dead of winter...

The Krogen is a full displacement Trawler with full design sections to offer nice interior accommodations while at the same time having nice wide side decks. The Pilothouse rivals that of much larger vessels and is the nerve center of the boat.

Power is a four cylinder turbo-charged John Deere with well under a thousand hours. We at Crusader wish Neil all the best with his new yacht!

Selene 53 Survey/Happy New Year!

I started the New Year off by traveling to South Florida for inspection, surveys, and sea trials of a 53 Selene Trawler built in mainland China by Jet-Tern Marine. My clients have hull #26 under contract as a likely "next boat".

If cruising under power is in the cards for your future, I highly recommend a very close look at this full-on displacement yacht. It is a smooth/steady runner and economical, in this case with a single Cummins Q-series diesel. The boat is steadied out by means of Wesmar Stabalizers and has a "get-home" wing engine.

This link will allow you to tag along for a bit of the sea trial!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtEQQ_G7YzI

2010 December Brokeage Activity and Merry Christmas!

CYS Staff bundled up for the cold weather!!

I am aware of three nice Trawlers that have gone under contract in December including a Krogen, Selene, and a 55 Fleming. Good activity considering such a cold month!

With two boat deals on the Potomac River this month I have been surprised by two inches of ice! We typically don't expect that until after the new year!

I am looking forward in the New Year to listing an Abeking/Rasmussen double-ender that was designed by William Atkins. Stay tuned for details on a remarkable double teak planked yacht!

Sabre 452, offshore equipped, New FAll Listing

I am really pleased to have listed for sale, "Freedom" a 2000 model year Sabre 452. This offering is unique in that it has been exhaustively prepared for offshore sailing, both cruising and racing. She will winter here on jack-stands at Port Annapolis only a thirty minute sail to the start of the 2011 Annapolis/Newport race in which she will hopefully compete under new ownership. Full specs are available at yachtworld.com. Some highlights:

2009 Quantum Sails using laminate fabrics
2009 Canvass
Removeable Inner-Fore Stay for #4 hank-on jib (85%)
8kw Diesel Gen-Set and Air-Con
Feathering prop
Nice teak interior
Shoal draft via Jim Taylor keel
Fully ISAF compliant for Category I events (all the hard prep work is complete!)

Concordia 39 wooden planking on oak frames

Recently hauled for routine maintenance this 39 Concordia continues to give great service to her owners...Remarkably, almost all of the sisterships (built in Germany in the 1950's and 60's) are still accounted for and most are actively sailing...

Fall in Annapolis!! Cool boats

On my way to work this morning I was reminded of what a rich tapestry of boats/yachts we see here in Annapolis this time of year. The S&S 60 was just hauled to allow for a hull survey on behalf of a consortium of British Classic Yacht enthusiasts. Should she sell she will likely be sailing next in the UK.

Next is a recently painted Sabre 362. And a Lord Nelson 37 Pilothouse Trawler, currently available in brokerage. 

Back to Back Boat Shows in Annapolis

We had a great turnout at the Tartan C&C display at this years Annapolis Sailboat Show; attendance was up dramatically and a deposit taken to initiate a new model; the existing Tartan 4400 will be stretched to a 47 footer while retaining the raised salon effect.

Following the Sailboat Show we displayed the good looking and smooth running Bruckmann Yachts 34e Downeast at the Powerboat Show. She will remain in the water to facilitate sea trials over while the water remains warm!

Crusader Yachts Tartan C&C Factory Tour

Here is the CYS staff visiting the boat building facility @ Tartan C&C; we are located in the laminating facility (think sausage making!) which is in contrast to a second facility four miles away where the boats are assembled and painted in a hi-tech paint booth.

Pictured 4th  from right is the new owner Steve Malbasa with CYS President Nancy Cann

Tartan C&C Yachts Factory Visit

I am just back from a meeting with the new ownership of Tartan C&C Yachts in Painesville, Ohio. We had a very in depth tour of the manufacturing process and met with key players there in the design and build process. Most importantly we were able to hear first hand the plans to move the company forward in it's 50th year.
The C&C 115 (Azurra Blue) will be shown next week at the Newport Boat Show and then shipped to Italy to it's new owner.

We look forward to displaying four new boats here in Annapolis in October!

Tartan C&C Yachts (excitement)

We recently met with Tim Jackett and Steve Malbasa, (new owners of Tartan) and have been appointed to serve as their Mid-Atlantic Dealer. To the North of us will be East Coast Yacht Sales headquartered in Maine. Steve spoke with eloquence about his vision for the company and that he will promote the "client first" culture to insure that owning a Tartan is rewarding to the sailor. I am excited about this new opportunity and being associated with Tartan's fifty year legacy, especially having sailed on the boats back into the 1970's and also having designed sails for the boats in the 1980's. We will start with a factory tour next week just east of Cleveland. Prospective buyers are welcome at the factory and also an adjacent showroom facility where the boats will be displayed w/ climate control to allow for winter visits!

Lyman-Morse 38 "Lyra" Downeast "Real Deal"

Last week I traveled East of New York City to visit a boat that I sold about five years ago. This boat built in Maine by Cabot Lyman on a 38' Young Brothers Hull has always been a favorite. It was a pleasure to catch up with the owners who are offering her for sale this Fall after having completed the "Loop" with the boat.

We took a nice ride out of Shinicock Inlet (stay away in rough weather!) and I had the chance to drive the boat in a swell on the Atlantic and then shoot into the inlet on a following sea. "Lyra" is a remarkable yacht!

Sale of "Helena" Beneteau 50

I recently completed the sale of a nice cruising boat to repeat clients John and Debra Barrows of Annapolis. After giving consideration to Trawlers as a "next boat", they settled on the "Owners Version" of a lovely 50' Beneteau Model Year 2000. We have known this boat since it was sold new here in Annapolis and the past owners have enjoyed use of the boat from New England to the British Virgins.

After some new canvass and tweaking of the boats systems, the Barrows plan to head South in November, as they did last year in their previous boat which we sold for them this spring. They look forward to being aboard full time for several months and having the benefit of a Furling Mainsail, Diesel Generator, Heat/Air, and a bow thruster, to name a few!

Helena, now named "Mandalay", was on the hard in Galesville during the survey and sea trial process. Many thanks are due to Charlie Duvall at West River Yacht Harbor for getting after a punch list that included reconditioning of the feathering Max-Prop, a replacement prop-shaft, and a serious compounding, buff, and wax job that restored the boats dark blue gel-coat.

Here's hoping that the Barrows enjoy smooth sailing with their new yacht!

Bristol Channel Cutter is sold to longtime clients

"Longsparrow" 3 sail reaching in 12 knots of breeze

I recently completed the sale of an extremely really nice Bristol Channel Cutter to long time clients David and Ellen Dawson of Haverford,Pa. I was also working on behalf of the sellers, Bob and Lois Plank who like the Dawson's have owned a series of cruising sailboats over the years. I owe thanks to both parties for their confidence and long term support (totaling eight transactions)

"Longsparrow" was surveyed by Kelsey/Turner Associates of Annapolis, and was proven very sound, and sold at her contract price. I am encouraged to see that the Buyers were able to bring a "lender" to the table for such a unique boat built in 1984. Hopefully this points to a thawing out in the credit world!

On sea trials we pushed the new Yanmardiesel harder than the seller was accustomed as is usually the case in ascertaining if the cooling system is up to snuff. No problems even with 83 degree water! We were however limited to sailing in about five knots of breeze. Fortunately the sailing characteristics of these Cutters are well documented over the years by their owners who have sailed them offshore extensively.

The Dawson's are starting ownership with a three week shakedown cruise, with plans to voyage further afield now that there children are grown. I wish the Dawson's Fair Winds and look forward to working with the Planks towards the purchase of their next Cutter!

M. Scott Taylor-CPYB

"Niche" Lyman-Morse 40' Sloop for Offshore and Thin Water!

I am excited to see one of my favorite sailing yachts come back on the market. Her hull and deck were built on a custom basis by Cabot Lyman in Thomasten, Me. and them completed by David Crane at the Todd Boatworks in Oxford, Maryland to a Craig Walters design. Craig pulled on a design philosophy melding offshore performance with significant shoal draft by means of a centerboard and retractable rudder.

Part of my recall of Niche is that of sailing upwind in 18 to 20 knots with the owner/builder sailing the boat using only a trim-tab on the trailing edge of the rudder.

Niche is a remarkable boat and can be seen on jack stands in a covered building on the Maine Coast.