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.

Sandbaggers @ the City Dock

Susan Taylor has been working in conjunction with the National Sailing Hall of Fame to offer waterfront community sailing aboard a pair of wooden/gaff rigged Sandbagger replicas. I have signed on to operate a support boat and yesterday trimmed the sizable mainsail! We don't cleat the sheets on this rig!

Lyman-Morse Lobster Yacht

I am very excited to learn that one of my favorite DownEast boats of all time will be available for sale later this summer or in the Fall quarter; the owners plan some light use of the boat this summer.
"Lyra" is a 38 footer built by Cabot Lyman in 1994 for a sailor who had previously owned a 44' Seguinn also built by Lyman-Morse. Therefore,she is a custom built yacht, built by a world class boat builder for an experienced sailor. The outcome is really special! She is a true-deal downeaster that has enjoyed good ownership by each of her three owners. While in Annapolis (under previous ownership) she was always shed-kept. More recently she has had good care (including new awlgrip paint) by the same firm that built the Shelter Island boats. The current owners employed the boat to navigate the "Loop" and will be passing the boat to new owners in very fine condition!

Hood 40/Gulfstar

Back in the late 1970's there was a collaboration of Ted Hood and the Florida production boatbuilder Gulfstar. The seventeen boats that were built were clearly to another standard, relative to the stock Gulfstar. The outcome was a very nice (and expensive in her day) keel-centerboarder of moderate to heavy displacement. I sailed on a sistership here on the Chesapeake that served two families over a twenty five year stretch of time, equally well as a cruising boat and point to point race boat. I ran across this boat offered for sale in South Florida by a friend of mine. What a great boat for the Keys and Bahamas!