1937, 52' Alden Yawl, "Estrella"

[devaneysuz]

My husband died suddenly before finishing the restoration of this amazing racing yawl at a Jonesport (Maine) Shipyard.

She is listed in many history books; one of only 7 yawls built by Alden. I have the original plans, and over $100,000 into her (new stem on up).

Anyone have any ideas what I can do with her? She was the star of a made-for-TV film starring Christopher Plummer.

I can't afford to finish her.

Help!!!!

[Garth Jones]

You have my (and I'm sure everybody on this forum) sympathies for your loss.

If 'Estrella' is in reasonable condition and is, as you say, an historic and interesting vessel, you should be able to sell her. A couple of suggestions:

First, it would be helpful if you could tell us, in broad strokes, what has been done and what needs to be done. A picture or two would be good too.

Second, you might consider contacting the folks at WoodenBoat magazine, in particular, Maynard Bray, who writes the 'Save a Classic' column that appears on the last page of each issue. They seem like a friendly bunch of boat nuts and I would hope they would take an interest.

Best of luck - I expect that those much more knowlegeable than me will have useful suggestions.

Garth

[devaneysuz]

Thanks for the ideas. Much appreciated. I'll get some photos, etc., up.

[JimConlin]

I'd start with a yacht broker that handles such boats. At the top of my list would be Cannell, Payne & Page in Camden, ME
http://www.cppyacht.com/
207-236-2383

[Bruce Hooke]

I'm very sorry about your loss.

A key question is likely the stage the restoration has reached. If the restoration is relatively close to done then I'd guess she'll be worth a lot more than if she looks like a "project boat."

[Livingbridge]

It's been 4 years since devaneysuz began this thread. I hope very much that she'll have since found solutions to the problems she was facing.

But her story of a 52' Alden yawl, from 1937, called 'Estrella', is intriguing to me, as I grew up on a 36' Alden yawl, built in 1937, called ... 'Estrella'!

It seems so uncanny. I would wager that, like my Estrella, devaneysuz's yawl was once part of US Navy fleet which was subsequently decommissioned and sold to private parties. They were then accorded names, in place of their military identities.

Very curious, though, that out of the 7 yawls designed by Alden, 2 would go on to be known as Estrella ... Was the name a question of air du temps? Still, very curious.

When I was directed to this thread by a thoughtful friend, I thought perhaps there might be a connection. But I suspect not. My father sold our Estrella to a TV newscaster, in Los Angeles, in the mid-to-late 1970s, who, sadly, let the boat rot in harbor. I've had no further information about the boat, since.

She was so beautiful and such a marvelous thing to feel under one's feet. I hope someone will have come to her rescue! I guess all of this amounts to an odd coincidence. Long live the gorgeous Alden Estrellas : )

[Jay Greer]

I am sorry for your loss. At least he was doing what he loved most. I hope that I will be too when I am called upon to cross the bar.

In addition to contacting Wooden Boat you might wish to speak with my friend William Cannell who, in addition to being an excellent yacht restorer, has a brokerage business as well.
http://www.cannellclassicboats.com/
Fair Winds,
Jay Greer