Elizabeth For Sale
Note: This is not the end of sailing for me… and heck if Elizabeth doesn’t sell due to the piss poor economy or misalignment of stars and planets, I plan to sail her far.
It is with sadness and a tinge of uncertainty that I offer Elizabeth up for sale at this time. I have spent many years dreaming of owning a Bristol Channel Cutter. Sometimes, I pinch myself to make sure it’s for real. As you can tell by reading the pages of this blog, alot of time and care (and money!) was invested to make Elizabeth what she is today. She has not let me down. I’ve sailed her well over 6,000 nautical miles, and she’s been my home for almost 3 years. As I sit here in the cockpit looking forward over the cabin top at the tall bulwarks, the wide side decks, the stout bowsprit, and I know I’ll never find a boat like this one. But life changes, and so do the dreams. I never thought this day would come actually.
The thing about Elizabeth is that she is ready to go right now. She’s just finished a circumnavigation of Newfoundland, and is ready to carry on south this fall to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and beyond. You will not have to worry about old systems, old rigging, a tired engine, or unkempt varnish. My goal was to make her bullet proof, and she is. Furthermore, before I bought her, she sat unused for 10 years and during that time had her bottom barrier coated, her electrical system and electronics redone, a new mast installed, a new bowsprit installed, new ground tackle, and many, many other upgrades. I continued where the previous owner left off, and fitted her out with new rigging, 2 solar panels, a wind generator, coat after coat after coat of varnish and Awl-grip, 4 new batteries, LED bulbs everywhere, etc etc etc! I took my time to get things done right, and did things that made sense for longevity. For instance, I didn’t like the exposed plywood core at the hawsepipe. So I routed out about a 1/4″ of the plywood, and filled it will thickened epoxy. Now neither the wet chain, rain, or waves crashing over the bow have access to that deck core, and rot should never be an issue.
If you are looking to sail far or stay close to home, this is the premier small boat to do it on. I single-handed her for a year. She is easy to handle alone. With both a tiller pilot, and the Monitor windvane, self steering is covered. I’ve double handed her alot this summer, and we’ve even had three aboard plus a cat for most of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. I initially thought three aboard would be tight, but it wasn’t at all.
I could go on and on about the virtues of this boat, why I love sailing this Bristol Channel Cutter, talk about the work done on her, the intricacies, the upgrades, gear choices, etc. But I think I’ll just direct you to her listing, some photos, some more photos, some videos and my email. Elizabeth and I are currently in Maine cruising, and will be heading south in October. You can come see her whenever you like.
I’ve seen your photos of this gorgeous girl, and know you’ve put so much love and care into her. I’m on the other side of the country and have a wonderful 30′ sloop, but I must ask, why are you selling Elizabeth? Just want something a bit different?
Ah, just went to the listing. You’re taking Cheif Brody’s advice and getting a bigger boat so you and Tee can have one together. Will she be selling Daphne?
ok, so I am the last to learn anything….but I still want details…and since you share your adventures, isnt it only fair to share what is going on ….
I guess the real question is, have you found the replacement?
Ahoy Ben ,,,, are you still looking for a larger boat ? My wife Lang also want’s a larger boat and hopes to purchase a Cape Dory 36 on the East Coast, but she will allow me to keep my BCC ,,,, phew !!!!
Sounds like Fran is more than a little curious , maybe even worried about the changes you and “T” are mentioning .
Sailors are sailors ,,,, the best thing for them is to go sailing , and go to sea !
Lin Pardey also recognizes this , as she mentions on her recent web page about that little yellow sailboat .
Did you enjoy putting sooo much time, work and money into your boat ? Would you like to do that again on even a larger more costly boat ?
Wishing you and your crew many happy new voyages ,,,,, Douglas, S/V Calliste, Singapore
Sad to see her go, though at least it’s for a good reason. You’ve taken meticulous care of this boat. I’d jump on it in a heartbeat if I was in the market for one. Someone will be getting an outstanding boat.
Oh noes teh lawyer is going to take all your liquids assets now!!!!
Oh shite that got posted!! HOW DO I DELORT IT
Remember when we
Together
Went to the sea
Was it real or did we dream. The days of children gone.
Seagull’s scream and pink ice cream and the deep blue sky
And the waves seem high and golden sand and the town
brass band play on.
Don’t head south in October. Go to France. Live it buster.
Oh God , Rosie has wise words of wisdom ,,, hey guys ,,, heads up !!! Do , what You Have To Do ,,, Get Gone !!!
Sailing south, eh? You are welcome to dock her and show her off in Easton. It would be an easy drive from many sailing hotspots. You could also keep her down here as your vacation home! lol