Wooden Sailboat - St. Augustine, FL - slowly sinking (CL)

[zertgold]

It seems at one time this was a fantastic boat. Does anyone know what her original rig was?


Looking at her cabinetry it looks like she was nicely put together.


I have this same diesel stove on my boat:


http://staugustine.craigslist.org/boa/2041220242.html

[xsboats]

Until recently, she was a ketch named Recess. She is reputed to be the design of the founder of Westlawn. She has been passed from one homeless person to the next, who strips gear for sale at the local used boat gear store and has been a problem in the harbor for about 4 years . She is strip-planked and fairly sound, but has issues with her decks.{she is sinking from rainwater} It seems that the more gear each "owner" strips off of her , the more they want to sell her for. [went from free for the last several "owners" to $2000 as the current asking price. She is worth saving but should be given to someone who will restore her instead of using her as a floating crack-house.

[Raka025]

Wow, Sarah really has gone downhill! What happened to Margo?

[xsboats]

Sarah put on a little weight too! Maybe Margo removed her masts so she could land ultralights on deck.

[wizbang 13]

Bum Navy

[zertgold]

Hmm, the posting was taken down. I wonder if someone bought her, and possibly has then means to restore her.

[zertgold]

I spoke to soon, She has been relisted. With a new pictures too:

http://staugustine.craigslist.org/boa/2073441819.html

[xsboats]

You are in luck. Come on up and get her. Maybe you can get Wizbang to join the "navy" and help you with her . He's been wintering in the Carib. too long and could use a change of scenery .

[zertgold]

Interestingly I was privately messaged by a member who believes this boat may have been the very vessel which her grandfather had built.
I hope this story has a happy ending.

[xsboats]

She is still dragging around up here , alternating between running up on the middle grounds , where she fills with water at high tide and crashing into other anchored vessels. Obviously , someone is watching her, as she has foundered and been pumped out numerous times over the last couple of months. Hopefully , someone will do something with her soon, as she is targeted for removal as a derelict.

[zertgold]

Received an email from the builders son. Apparently she will was built in Michigan in 1977 by a school teacher. The builder and his wife are still with us, and are pained to see the presently condition she is in. The search for this boat has been a long one for them, so there is a little relief for the now 87 year old builder to find her. I am not sure what their next step is, but the builder's son says "our quest has begun."

Scott, I believe they will be attempting to contact you since you have the most information.
I suppose there is no reason to alert the present owner of the boats history as it might drive the price in the wrong direction if they are looking to purchase.

[zertgold]

Scott,
Do you know the fate of the Recess? The builders son had elaborate plans on restoring the vessel, but has been unable to contact the "owner." Is the vessel still swinging around under hook?

[xsboats]

I'll look this weekend, but I think that she may have been used to fill a dumpster.

[Larks]

It'd be nice to hear the outcome of this guys, could you keep us informed here?

[zertgold]

This is a sad ending. The builders grandson came to Florida in hopes to rescue his grandfather's boat. The city had this report:

According to our records, in July, 2011, the 40’ sailboat “Huckleberry” (HIN 589798) was reported aground at low tide and partially filled with water in the marsh area at Crane’s Park near the St. Augustine South Boat Ramp (Lat N 29.50.900, Long W 081.18.18). The owner signed the vessel over to the City of St. Augustine for disposal. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission report filed on the vessel in August of 2010 showed it as “inoperative, partially dismantled and with no apparent intrinsic value”. The vessel was removed from the marsh area and subsequently broken up. I hope this helps. If there is any other information I may be able to provide, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Deputy Director General Services / Purchasing Manager
City of St. Augustine