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SPARKMAN & STEPHENS-DESIGNED, CONSOLIDATED-BUILT
1937 COMMUTER YACHT 65' -- PHOENIX
In an article in the July 1937 issue of
Rudder magazine, PHOENIX is described as follows:
"A sleek product of the present season's designing activity is Phoenix, twin-screw 'commuter type' cruiser illustrated on this page. She is owned by E.E. Dickinson, Jr., of Essex, Connecticut, a member of the New York, Fishers Island, and several other yacht clubs. She is from designs by Sparkman & Stephens, Inc., New York, and is the second yacht of the same type which the firm has done for this owner. Built at the yards of the Consolidated Shipbuilding Corporation, also of New York, she was launched about two months ago and ran her trials to the complete satisfaction of everyone concerned."
PHOENIX is the boat built by witch hazel. Seriously. Not kidding. I remember that bottle of clear liquid astringent residing in my childhood medicine cabinet was used for a variety of home remedies including bug bites, cuts, scrapes, and bruises. This historic commuter was built for the 3rd Dickinson to run E.E. Dickinson & Company supplying half of the world's witch hazel by the early 1900's -- and apparently accumulating a pile of cash in the process.
With a narrow 12'6" beam and draft of just 3'6", her 64'8" overall length was originally driven by a pair of Speedway 6-cylinder gas engines to a designed cruising speed of about 20 mph. She is currently powered by two 1958 GM Detroit 6-71 diesels. Her layout includes galley, crew quarters, and head forward and two staterooms with head aft. Her large saloon surrounded by huge windows sits atop her engine room amidships. The flybridge helm, complete with a 28" teak spoked ship's wheel, straddles the space above the rear of the saloon and the forward stateroom trunk cabin.
PHOENIX's current owner, John, spotted her in a marina in Long Beach, CA, in 2005 decked out in white house paint and huge awnings and virtually unrecognizable as the sleek, pedigreed commuter that she most certainly is. Even in disguise, John knew she was a special boat. After whipping her into shape in 2006-07, circumstances in John's life dictated that he focus his attention elsewhere. PHOENIX came out of the water and has been on the hard in a southern Maine boat yard for the last few years. She's not doing well. The yard wants her gone, and John would like to see her saved. The photo above was taken circa 2011 just before the boat came out of the water.
Asking: PHOENIX is FREE to a QUALIFIED HOME -- i.e., an individual or organization with the skills and/or resources necessary to properly care for the boat. There are some outstanding yard bills which will have to be settled between the new owner, the current owner, and the yard, and the new owner will be expected to cover the cost of moving her to a new location. (ME)
Click the photo above or here <PHOENIX> to go to the BYB home page where there's a subscriber link to the full listing with lot's more history and roughly 15 photos.
1966 WITTHOLZ CAPE COD CAT BOAT 25' -- CHUBINKA
Owner Leif says, "I just can't cut it up. The deck, cabin and cockpit coaming must be replaced, along with a few hull planks. The hull is fair, and has been properly supported. The boat has been under cover for the past 10 years. There are two masts: the original wood mast and a fiberglass mast from a Non-Such. There is no engine and no trailer. The sail is in good usable condition as are the almost new bunk cushions. All running rigging is old and should probably be replaced. Most of the original bronze hardware is there. The steering pedestal is from another boat, and I have most of the pulleys to install it. This is a big project, but well worth the effort if a BIG catboat lights your fire." (NC) Asking: FREE to a GOOD HOME. Click the photo above or here <CHUBINKA> to go to the BYB home page where there's a subscriber link to the full listing and about a dozen photos. |
