hinckley sailboat restoration

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The Restoration of Loon

By Gary Cunningham, Michigan Chapter, and Mark Gelders

Loon is a 1949 Hinckley 34 SW sailboat which is in the process of undergoing a complete restoration in Macatawa, Michigan at the Eldean Shipyard. She is a very unusual Hinckley sailboat because she has never been in salt water. Loon was taken directly from the Hinckley shop floor, loaded onto a rail car, and then delivered to her first owner in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York where she spent about 35 years plying the waters of those pristine freshwater lakes. She is also unique because she is one of only two Sou’wester (SW) 34s to get a factory installed teak deck (the other one became the personal launch for Henry R. Hinckley).

Loon’s second and third owners were from the St. Louis area and sailed almost exclusively on Carlyle Lake in southwestern Illinois for another 30 years. Starting about five years ago, Loon’s third owner started an extensive restoration that grew larger and larger in scope as he got into the project. He was trying to do everything himself and finally became overwhelmed by the challenge. So, I acquired the boat from him with the promise that I would finish the restoration to the standards of the Hinckley Yacht Company and would give him a ride on Lake Michigan when completed.

[Show slideshow] Also assisting us on this project are James Christie from Port Huron, Chuck Diamond from North Branch, Jonathon Reus, the owner of Macatawa Bay Boat Works , and Bob Shapton, the owner of Michigan Boat & Engine . We have already completed the keel and are almost done with replacing the exterior mahogany planks. The sika spruce mast and boom have already been sanded down and received an initial coat of varnish (with four more to go).

We will continue working on Loon full time until she is completed – hopefully in the early spring of 2024. Then we intend to go harbor hopping around Lake Michigan.

Technical Specifications of Loon ’s Restoration:

• The original Iron ballast has new 1.25 inch SS bolts that go thru the new keel and new SS welded frame attachments. All have weep holes and a clean out chain. [Show slideshow]
• Frames were replaced as necessary with oak West System laminated in place. Also installed new wood cap and toe rails, along with the cockpit being totally removed and rebuilt with all new wood. The new bottom planking is done with 1” thick by 12’ to 18‘ some 13” wide to 3.25” wide , all fastened with 2.5” silicone-bronze screws and fully West System encapsulated, filleted and coated. All original caulking and cotton were removed and replaced with epoxy set wood strips, sanded then coated with West System before faring with Awlgrip products.
• The original rudder was replaced with a new SS welded frame and teak. Reset original bronze shaft alley through the keel (2 feet long) along with a new shaft and seal.
• New motor bed beams are fabricated from mahogany and West System to accommodate the new Elco 20 electric motor. This is replacing a 14 hp diesel engine and transmission.
• On the deck we started by replacing the front corner post and front of the cabin house. The teak deck was about 40 % replaced, sub deck replaced as necessary. All deck beams are in good shape. The teak decking on this Hinckley is all curved, making new we had the help of Macatawa Bay Boat Works (Jonathan Reus). They supplied us with a steam box, to bend all the pre-cut teak decking. We steamed them for about 1 to 2 hours until bendable, then set in a jig with over-bend to allow for spring back. Then all fitted and West System in place with bronze screws and bungs. Then caulked with Teak Decking System Caulk. [Show slideshow]
• When the vessel was totally empty, we sprayed the whole interior an acrylic white marine paint in semi-gloss sheen. Bulkheads are about 80% replaced with new marine quality panels. Most of the original interior is solid mahogany and will be refinished.
• All deck hardware is original solid bronze and has been sent out to a professional buffing shop for polishing.

• Wiring for the new Elco 48 Volt DC using Lithium-Iron batteries (either 4-12volt or 2-24volt for the motor and 2-12 volt for the house power). We intend on charging at the dock overnight and using Loon essentially as a day sailer.
• The house batteries will also be Lithium-Iron and charge at the dock.
• When complete, all wiring and plumbing will be new, with fresh upholstery, running rigging, and sails.
• She is also being treated to a brand new cradle.

[All of the foregoing as of November 1, 2023.]

Great work. Continued good luck.

What a transformation !! A true labor of love . Owning a 23’ Grand Craft (all mahogany planked) I know what kind of commitment it takes . Thank you for sharing all of intimate details of this wonderful journey , being the current caretaker . May you enjoy many Red Sky’s At Night !

What BEAUTIFUL lines! Let us know if u get to the traverse city area or ports nearby

Dear Richard, Jimi & Chuck:

Thank you for taking an interest in the Loon project. I could not have gotten as far as I did this year without the help of Mark Gelders, Jon Reus, and the Eldean Shipyard. They have all pulled out the stops to help out on this project.

I previously restored a barrel back and a Sportsman sedan. So I cannot say that I had no idea of the size of this current undertaking. But I am getting to the age where this is probably my last large project and I want it to be “heirloom” quality.

For better or worse, we are going to restore a 34′ Hinckley and I want to sail her before my 75th birthday. So wish us luck and I will try to keep you advised of our progress. -Gary

Thank you for sharing your journey if not for people like you a great treasure would be lost. May the sunshine on you and the wind hit your sales 🇺🇸🦈👍

Thanks Shannon. We held an open house for Loon a couple weeks ago and had about 40 ACBS members in attendance. The exterior is now about 85% completed and the interior is probably closer to 50%. But with a little luck, we hope to launch her yet this summer. -Gary

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How many people died for 1/3rd of Hinckley Yachts ?

What is wrong with Hinckley Yachts ?

• “ Does not have a facility with the right trades and good understanding of both classic yachts and of yacht racing in the 21st century
• Does not have a team that has passion for restoration of classic yachts that is on par with that of the owner
• Does not have project management dedicated to and capable of making decisions across the entire breath of the refit that are thoughtful, consistent and compatible with achieving a satisfactory result on a reasonable schedule and budget.”  Independent Survey

Being prepared in advance is crucial when navigating the ocean, as unexpected and dangerous situations such as hurricanes or sinking can occur. By taking the time to prepare, your chances of success and survival increase. This aligns with the idea that “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”

It’s important to remember that success is the result of consistent, small efforts made day after day, as “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in, and day-out.”

Failing to prepare, on the other hand, sets you up for failure, as “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” as Benjamin Franklin once said.

Misrepresenting professional qualifications

When evil buys an american icon.

The triumvirate of owners , who have made their fortune in weapons, oil, and as slumlords, should not be permitted to own businesses that are American icons. Hinckley Yachts should be sold. 

• It sends a message to the public that moral integrity is less important than wealth accumulation and success. Mass murder with weapon platforms and destruction of the world with big oil and certainly an unholy combination from the underworld. Is there really a worse owner than Hinckley owner Jerry Lundquist with a career focused on mass murder with weapons platforms.  

• Systemic Issues : Permitting scum to own iconic American businesses perpetuates systemic issues within the socio-economic system. It reinforces the dominance of industries that rely on the suffering of others , further exacerbating inequalities within society. It hinders progress towards a more equitable and sustainable economic model. Allowing individuals with ill-gotten wealth to control these businesses would stifle innovation, justice, and social progress. Hinckley owners need to go.  
• Corporate Social Responsibility : Iconic American businesses are expected to adhere to ethical and responsible business practices, given their significant influence and impact on society. Owners with backgrounds in weapons , oil , and as slumlords may lack the inclination to prioritize corporate social responsibility, as their past actions have shown. This can lead to exploitation of workers, environmental destruction, and neglect of societal needs, compromising the very ideals that these businesses are meant to uphold.  OSHA has issued multiple violations for put workers lives at risk, Boat fires are unusually common at Hinckley yards. We believe have multiple instances of well documented fraud. Some of the best in world thought the quality of Hinckley work was life threateningly bad and incompetent.  

Practice what you preach . It is ironic to see a men like David Y. Howe of Scout Partners LLC become Executive Officer, Director and Promotor of Throtle , Inc in 2017.

Senior manager, Dan Vuillmier, has made a mockery of the very essence of Jerry Lundquist ( McKinsey & Co), Brooks Gordon ( W. P. Carey ), David Y. Howe ( Scout Partners LLC ) company’s purpose – identity solutions focused on the individual. How can Jerry Lundquist ( McKinsey & Co) , Brooks Gordon ( W. P. Carey ), David Y. Howe ( Scout Partners LLC ) claim to prioritize individual identity and qualifications when they themselves cannot even be honest about their own employees’ abilities? What does that say about Throtle,Inc . ?

Dan Vuillmier ’s blatant lies , including those about his marine engineers’ qualifications , claiming they had undergone specialized training with Westerbeke, is not only deceitful but also life-threatening . It is deeply concerning that after independent experts raised concerns about the work done on the engine , neither Westerbeke nor Hinckley yacht service could produce the certificates requested in writing. 

This suggests that Hinckley yacht service was lying about their technical ability and training levels. The nickname for the boat is now the “ Hinckley Deathship ”; the boat is now a complete loss.

This kind of unethical behavior and lack of accountability not only puts lives in danger but also undermines the very foundation of trust and honesty that any business should be built upon.

It is unacceptable that a man like Dan Vuillmier, in a senior managerial position, is able to get away with such a brazen and egregious lie . It is clear that he and his company ( Jerry Lundquist ( McKinsey & Co ), Brooks Gordon ( W. P. Carey ), David Howe ( Scout Partners LLC ) have no regard for the truth , and they should be held accountable for their deceitful actions .

Evil Exists at Hinckley Yachts

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On Watch: This 60-Year-Old Hinckley Pilot 35 is Also a Working…

On Watch: America’s Cup

On Watch: All Eyes on Europe Sail Racing

Dear Readers

• Sailboat Reviews

Hinckley Pilot 35

This sparkman & stephens classic, built for a dozen years in fiberglass (and built to take it), has kept its value and a fervent following..

Henry R. Hinckley & Co. of Southwest Harbor, Maine, has had some notable successes over the years, and this solid glass 35-footer ranks right up there with the best of them. She was built in several variations between 1963 and 1975 and was preceded by eight boats built in wood. Class records indicate that a total of 125 fiberglass Pilots (including eight built in Chile using tooling made for the Chilean Navy with Hinckley’s assistance) were built in total.

Most remarkable for her beauty, this balanced, traditional-looking boat with a deeply curved sheer and plenty of overhang fore and aft has had a full life. Cruising widely, racing seriously, weekending and daysailing in most of the planet’s best sailing grounds, she embodies that “wholesome, dual purpose ideal” that many sailors put at the heart of the sport.

By modern standards she’s a bit cramped, a tad slow, and a touch clumsy. Hinckley has long been known to build boats well, but “at what price?” Some owners have sailed their boats for 30 years or more, and when a Pilot comes on the used boat market today it’s not likely to stay there long.. Often the boats fetch prices in excess of $70,000.

Designed by Sparkman & Stephens when the firm was at its most dominant, the Pilot was the state of the boatbuilding art at the beginnings of the fiberglass era. It’s tempting to think of her as dated and a litmus of how far we’ve come, but many sailors still see her as the sum and substance of what a boat should be. Whether you think of her as a relic or exemplar, however, hers is an intriguing tale.

History Says Bob Hinckley, one of the founder’s sons and still a company officer (though his family sold the company several years ago): “The success of the Bermuda 40 removed any lingering doubts about the suitability of glass reinforced plastic as a boatbuilding material. By 1962 it was clear that fiberglass was to be the future of the Hinckley company. We had already built a Sou’wester Junior in glass, and since the boat was 30 feet LOA, it seemed only logical to build one in the 35-foot range to fill out the line.

“The two boats which were under consideration were the Hinckley 36 and the Pilot 35. Both had been popular cruising boats in wood during the 1950s, and each had its own strengths. Of the two the Pilot was probably a little bit prettier and faster, but her freeboard was very low. Gilbert Cigal, who had played such an active role in the development of the Bermuda 40, favored the Pilot and his opinion was valued by my father.The decision was made to have Sparkman & Stephens modify the lines of the hull to give her more freeboard and otherwise facilitate her construction in glass. They are wonderful boats. I owned one for 10 years myself. When I see one, even after all of these years, I’m still moved by how pretty she is.”

Rod Stephens wrote a design history of the boat in 1983 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of her launch: “S&S Design No. 539 was one of our first yacht designs prepared after World War II. The dimensions were 32’11″ LOA, 24′ DWL, 9’6″ Beam, 4′ 9″ draft. Sail area was 523 sq. ft. The design displacement was 11,970 lbs. The first boats were constructed (in wood) by Fisher Boatworks in Detroit and later by Thomas Knutson Shipbuilding in Huntington, NY.

“In 1955 at the request of Henry R. Hinckley, a ‘new Pilot’ was the subject of our Design No. 1219. The new boats were slightly longer on deck and at the waterline and drew an additional 2 inches. Beam remained 9’6″ and six square feet of sail area were added. “Hinckley built eight of these ‘Hinckley Pilots’ in wood. One was a yawl, the rest were sloops. They displaced 12,900 lbs.

“In 1962, again at the request of Hinckley, who had been building in fiberglass, the Pilot design was revised and became our Design No. 1727. The design was extended to LOA 35′ 9″, DWL 25′, Beam 9’6″, Draft 5’0”, Sail area 554 sq. ft. and Displacement 13,500 lbs.

“It was this design that became known as the Hinckley Pilot 35 built exclusively by Henry R. Hinckley & Co. Of the 117 fiberglass Pilots built in Maine, 25 were yawls.”

Design While Bob Hinckley remembers the final redesign as “essentially adding another strake to the hull to give her some more freeboard to make her drier and roomier,” there was more to it than that. Says Bruce Johnson, currently Chief Designer at S&S: “The boat was worked up when Aage Nielsen was with the firm, and between Aage, Olin, and Rod a beautiful boat was drawn which has maintained its superstar status to this day.”

The Pilot is very good looking. If there’s a comment that echoes repeatedly from her owners it’s “everyone says she’s the prettiest boat in the harbor.” Her design team combined a boldly curved sheerline, drawn-out ends, a jaunty aft-raked transom, and a straight but not severe houseline into a traditionally eye-pleasing package. She comes from a bygone era and her looks suggest the good old days “when boats were boats.” She has some other timeless virtues, too and many owners and sailors in general appreciate her for her simplicity, integrity, anddurability.

However, sailboat design has progressed in the more than 50 years since the Pilot was born. She is short on the waterline. This limits both her top-end speed and her payload. She has a full keel with its attendant overabundance of wetted surface and lift/drag inefficiencies. She has a short rig which makes her less than jazzy to sail in light air. Her keel-hung rudder makes her turning circle inconveniently wide. Sail controls are elementary.

Performance Conventional wisdom has it that fewer than one in ten sailboats today ever sees the race course. Such was not the case with the Hinckley Pilot. Block Island, Mackinaw, Monhegan, Annapolis-Newport, the Great Ocean Race Race— Pilots have been in them all and done well. They have also scored well or won championships in handicap series in San Francisco, Buzzards, and Biscayne Bays. Overall, the ratio of Pilot owners who report having raced their boats is much closer to one in three than one in ten.

One of the pillars of Sparkman & Stephens’ racing success has always been an emphasis on upwind performance. The Pilot 35 is no exception. Despite overlong spreaders and over-wide sheeting angles that were standard design elements in her era, she goes well to windward.

To some, a Pilot 35 may seem tender, especially compared to modern boats with more beam, form stability, and deeper ballast. “They heel fairly fast initially,” says one sailor, “but if you keep the angle of heel under 20 degrees she’ll stay very lively and make very little leeway. She’s a real lady to sail when it starts to blow.”

“I’ve always favored the sail combinations that the yawl rig makes available,” says another owner. “Also, as a CCA measurer I was not unaware of the rating advantage of the yawl rig. I could often sail with the sloops but enjoy a foot better allowance.”

Sloop and yawl, however, the boats have compiled an enviable record. As boats and owners have grown older, however, and racing has evolved, fewer and fewer Pilots now make it to the starting line.

Though her relatively low freeboard can invite the occasional wave aboard, her ends are full and she is acceptably dry in most conditions. Her short waterline combines with long overhangs to make her hobby horse, however. Thanks to her long keel, though, her motion is gradual— nothing like the snap-roll that some fin-keelers can be guilty of. “She’s a substantial boat that’s comfortable in a seaway,” an owner concludes.

“What I’ve come to appreciate most about my boat in the more than 30 years that I’ve had her is her size,” an owner from Maine reports. “She’s big enough to be comfortable but small enough so that the loads never get to be overpowering. One man can do just about everything. When I’m trying to shoehorn into the head I want a bigger boat, but when it comes to sailing, I like the Pilot the way she is.”

Almost to a man Pilot owners will tell you how badly she steers in reverse under power. “She certainly doesn’t go straight. It’s a case of learning your boat and adjusting.” The boats were originally equipped with Sea Scout or Atomic Four gas engines. Well over half of today’s owners have replaced those gas engines with diesels, the Westerbeke 4-99 supplied by Hinckley being the most common.

Says one owner with a Westerbeke fitted with a three-bladed prop, “The engine is big enough so that we get up to cruising speed of 6 knots or better at less than 2000 rpm. It’s nice to have reserve power and to get where you’re going without any more noise or fuss than necessary.”

Engine access on the Pilot has always been an annoyance.

Construction Most owners think their Pilots are very well-built. In fact, not a single one (from our modest sample of over 20) gave their boats anything less than highest marks in the “construction’ category. Writes Don Danilek, compiler of the Pilot 35 Yearbook, “The Pilot’s construction, like her design, is legendary. From the faired stemplate with its integral chocks and tack fitting to the integral flagstaff as part of the stainless stern pulpit, the Pilot is the epitome of quality construction.” In reality, no one really knew what “the epitome of fiberglass construction” was in the pioneering days that produced the first Pilots. Therefore, they were overbuilt. The hull laminate in the way of her keel was up to an inch thick. Nowhere is her solid glass hull less than 3/8″ thick. Her two hull halves (she was built in a clam-shell mold due to worries that her slight amount of tumblehome might make her difficult to release from a standard one-piece mold) are taped over with layers of matt and roving that make stem and stern virtually bulletproof. Bob Hinckley recalls a Pilot being dropped from a TraveLift six feet onto her stem. “Creased the gelcoat for about a quarter of an inch around the impact spot,” he remembers.

Her 4200 pound lead keel was attached with 3/4” Everdur bolts. The hull and deck on the Pilots were joined using the system Hinckley employed on all of its boats: The deck was bedded on wet mat laid on a 6-inch wide inward flange on the hull. Screwed in place while the chemical bond set up, it was then capped with a toerail bolted through both flange and deck. “The method pretty well removes the problem of deck leaks,” Hinckley says. “All you might get is problems in the way of the chainplates or the stanchions, but we bed them very well, too.”

Interior wood was equally robust, right down to the inch-thick treads of the teak and holly cabin sole. Extra fiberglass reinforcement went into the chainplates and in longitudinal stringers designed to stiffen the hull fore and aft. “When we first worked on our boat,” says Danilek, “my wife Jane remarked, ‘On this boat, when I lean on something, it leans back.’”

At a displacement of 13,500 pounds, the Pilot pays some performance penalty for being so strongly built. Many of today’s 35-footers not only afford more waterline and room but weigh in at from 3000 to 6000 pounds less. The lighter the boat, the less “dead weight” there is to subtract from performance. Also, in reckoning the cost of a boat you’ve got to figure on the cost of the materials that went into her. Heavier boats cost more for that reason.

Still, it’s hard to argue with Hinckley’s success. One owner discovered mild blistering after 15 years. Another felt that the mast column did not provide enough support for her deck -stepped mast. Aside from those criticisms we gathered a raft of comments like: “Absolutely NO failure of rig or gear in 15 years!” “The gelcoat still looks good after 23 years.” “We’ve never had any problem getting insurance because she’s so well built.” “A boat for a lifetime. Hull/deck joint, standing rigging… all top drawer.” It’s certainly possible to use materials more efficiently and produce sprightlier boats, but Hinckley’s conservative brand of over-building has produced boats that have consistently proven durable as well as capable through the years.

Accommodations Pilots have been built with 4, 5, and 6-berth layouts. All of the arrangements have been geared to the boat’s narrow beam and long ends. This makes for very workable accommodations in a seaway: grab rails are always close at hand and there’s never very far to fall. Elbow room for relaxing, dining, or gathering is at a premium, though. The five-berth plan, chosen in about one quarter of the boats built, makes, we think, the best use of the main cabin space and comes closest to the sort of “main saloon” that contemporary designs offer in a boat of this size.

The “ice box” feel of fiberglass was a worry when the switch came from wood. Hinckley’s answer was to “build a wooden boat inside the glass one.” Except for the smoothed and comfortingly painted overhead, everything below was made of or sheathed with wood. Phillipine mahogany (later replaced by Honduras) sheathed hull sides, bulkheads, and the underside of the decks so “not an inch of fiberglass shows.”

“During the mid-60’s we were building a Pilot a week,” Bob Hinckley remembers. “A big key to keeping that pace was the amount of pre-fabbing of interior elements that we did outside the boats.” The Pilot was one of the first cases in the glassboat era of keeping the quality in a boat while taking hours out of building her. It was the woodshop where most of those efficiencies were achieved.

Conclusions ”Superbly…” “Splendidly…” “The company has been very responsive…”

Few and far between are the Pilot owners who don’t have very good things to say about Hinckley. The excellent reputation that the folks in Southwest Harbor enjoy today began, we feel, at least in part with the Pilot. With the shift from a workmanlike wooden pleasure boat to an elegant, high quality mini-yacht, the company staked out the trail it was to follow up to the present…traditional appeal, rugged construction, focus on quality…enjoyable boats.

Hinckley also grew from being just a builder to being an outfitter, authority, and maintenance helpmeet. Take the number of Pilots (almost half) that have been returned to Southwest Harbor for Awl-Gripping, a new interior, a carbon fiber spar, and other refit items. The “family center” keeps drawing boats back and sending them forth refurbished and gleaming. And keeping the boats new is keeping Hinckley green.

Finally, take the case of the “factory installed extra.” Hinckley has definitely done the homework necessary to keep its boats outfitted with gear and equipment that suits their character as well as makes things easier for their owners. Take the modestly-priced cabin heater. How many owners would have known and cared enough to put a fireplace below on their 35-footer, but the little stoves (“They really don’t work all that well. I’d prefer an Espar heater under the cockpit seat,” Bob Hinckley says) are just one of the many added elements that gave this classy little auxiliary her sparkle when she first arrived. Almost 40 years later, while there may be better ways to stay warm below, the Pilot 35 still keeps a lot of her glow.

Contact – The Hinckley Company, 130 Shore Rd., Southwest Harbor, ME 04679, 207/244-5531, www.hinckleyyachts.com .

Also With This Article Click here to view the Hinckley Pilot 35 Price History . Click here to view the Owner Comments .

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1954 22 ft hinckley restored launch.

This beautiful Launch was originally believed to be built by Hinckley and was used as the yacht club launch for Stamford Yacht Club.  Around 2017 the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, RI completed a total keel up restoration.

Beatrice is constructed of cedar on oak frames with bronze fasteners, teak decks and covering boards, coaming, and transom.  She has a side console with vertical tiller. Seating for guests in the stern and bench seating forward.  The bottom is tightly constructed.

Powered by a 38-hp Nanni Diesel she cruises along at 6 knots.  Other equipment includes:  VHF Radio, Garmin  GPSmap, Bilge pumps and high water alarm, running lights, New Bimini Top, Canvas winter cover, plenty of safety and general boat equipment.  A trailer is not included.

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73' Hinckley Racing Sailboat

S/Y Windigo is a magnificient ocean racer built by Henry Hinckley on Sparkman & Stephens design in 1956.

The yacht was built for Hal Haskell of Wilmington, Delaware.  

In 2004, Windigo received a prestigious restoration by the Classic Yachts Management and Cantiere Sangermani. It was a respectful and philologic operation. All the inside parts were carefully removed, checked thoroughly, restored and put back together allowing the passage of new hydraulic-electric systems. A new teak deck was layed on best plywood. A new 200 Yanmar engine was installed, together with new masts, standing and running rigging. 

Following the restoration Windigo took part in some important races and had excellent results, like a third at Argentario Sailing Week 2006. At the Capraia race 2005 and 2006 she was first of her class and overall, Third overall at the Mahon-Porto Rotondo in 2006 and she won the CIM Championship in 2006. Following a new session of restoration at Cantieri dell'Argentario in 2013, all the mahogany hull planking was completely changed with thorough check, restoration or new construction where needed of frames and floors. Total fastening in silicon bronze screws was done as well. 

The yacht is perfectly maintained.  

• Specifications
• Description

The yacht was built by Henry Hinkley on Sparkman & Stephens design in 1956 for Hal Haskell of Wilmington, Delaware. 

Later she was called Venturer. Among the racing records of this S&S yawl there was an elapsed time record on the 1963 Bermuda Race under the new name Audacious and a second place at the Transpac. 

Back on the East coast she cruised up north to Alaska and back on the East coast took part few times to the Antigua Sailing Week where she holds the record of 3 victories in elapsed time for Classic Yachts in 1990-1992-1993 and the first over all in 1989. Windigo arrived in Mediterranean sea in the early 2000.

Along with her elegant lines and powerful sailplan, Windigo offers very comfortable accommodations in 3 private owner/guests wide staterooms with two bathrooms and a total of 14 bunks very useful for ocean racing. The yacht’s full width main saloon comfortably seats 8 at the gimballed dining table. Galley and crew quarters are placed forward and can be completely separated as it was tradition on classic yachts at that time.  

The windowed doghouse provides a cosy retreat from the weather and allow the vision on deck and at sea.  

The deck space is wide and very comfortable when racing, cruising or at anchor.  

• Engine: Yanmar 200 hp year 2004,2932 hours up to April 2023. Always fully serviced and perfectly maintained
• Genset 15kw,
• Batteries: 2017, still excellent. Engine batteries 2023,excellent, Generator's battery 2023
• Radar Furuno, B&G full electronics including autopilot, Epirb, 
• 120 lt/h watermaker.  
• Refrigerator and freezer 24/220V 2017
• Waterpressure system 2022
• Sails: 1 North Mainsail: good
• 1 Quantum Sail Mainsail: good
• 3 Spinnaker very good 
• 1 Gennaker:good
• Yankee, Staysail, Mizzen, Mizzenstaysail: all in good state, all North 2006 
• Tender Zodiac 3,60 m with Yamaha outboard engine 20 hp - 4 stroke 2018

The yacht is in perfect state, always in continuous maintenance, hauling and launching done every year for hull and MAX PROP propeller checks

Engine and power generator maintenance coupons performed every season, complete watermaker overhaul with membrane unit replacement March 2023

Complete overhaul of the engine and the engine and gearbox heat exchangers

Waterproof canopy of global boat cover for winter.  

CO2 fire extinguishing system in engine room.  

The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.

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Homes in Shore Acres destroyed by Hurricane Helene, flood-prone neighborhood getting first look at damage

Shore acres floods again during hurricane helene.

Several Shore Acres residents say the flooding from Hurricane Helene is the worst they’ve ever seen even though they are used to high water in the area.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Shore Acres took one of the hardest hits from Hurricane Helene , preparing homes ahead of the storm wasn't enough to protect many in the St. Petersburg neighborhood.

Damage in Shore Acres

Record-breaking storm surge caused extensive flooding and damage that residents in Shore Acres have likely never seen before. According to FOX 13 News Meteorologists, the city experienced more than 6ft of storm surge.

Some homeowners said water came up to their doorknobs and a couple of house fires were also reported in the Tanglewood area.

There were over 100 miles of road impacted by flooding, according to St. Pete officials. 

"We were very fortunate the water came up to the garage. We got a little bit scared because we’ve always been told this street never floods. And you can see here where the water got to the garage," shared a resident who spoke to FOX 13's Craig Patrick. "The cars across the street were covered with water."

READ: Water rescues underway as Citrus County gets glimpse at Hurricane Helene damage

Why does it flood in Shore Acres?

This is the neighborhood's fourth flooding event in four years. 

After Tropical Storm Debby brought unexpected flooding across Tampa Bay, neighbors wanted to be even more prepared for hurricane season. During a Shore Acres Civic Association hurricane preparedness meeting in August , residents said some of the issues related to flooding could be widely prevented, like traffic driving along flooded roadways in the neighborhood.

"A lot of people don’t know how to navigate through the streets, driving through the streets," Shore Acres Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf said. "They cause what we call a wake, that pushes water into homes that wouldn’t otherwise flood."

Shore Acres was built like a bowl. The middle of the neighborhood dips, so houses in the middle are more likely to flood compared to houses along the edges.

While residents know the community is flood-prone, Helene inundated the neighborhood with much more water than homeowners anticipated.

READ: Hundreds of Bay Area residents rescued from record storm surge from Hurricane Helene

How will the community recover?

Six Fire Rescue boats were deployed to go to Shore Acres, Snell Isle and Venetian Isles for search and rescue, according to the city of St. Pete.

Water has started to recede, but damage will take weeks and months to repair. Road conditions around Pinellas County are still "extremely dangerous" on Friday, according to officials.

Pinellas County has activated the Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline for people who need help cleaning up damage. The number is (844) 965-1386.

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Hinckley Yacht Services

All Makes & Models Service and Storage

At Hinckley Yacht Services, we believe time on the water is a precious commodity, and we strive to maximize that time for you. We are proud to service all makes and models of boats at all nine of our service locations.

The standard of work by all the various trades at Hinckley Yacht Services is very high. The individuals concerned take a huge amount of pride in their work endeavoring to do the best job possible. It really is very impressive. I have personally cruised over 40 countries around the world and Hinckley Yacht Services rates as the best boatyard in terms of their work.

• Cat 5 Storage
• Personalized Service
• Concierge Support

When the boating season draws to a close, rest easy knowing your boat will be secure and dry in one of our state-of-the-art indoor climate-controlled storage facilities from Maine to Florida.

At our location is Southeast Florida, we recently opened a 40,000 square foot Category 5 storm-rated storage facility tailored to the local environment. This world-class infrastructure is designed to provide peace of mind in the off-season, knowing your boat is secured until she’s ready to make her grand debut again come spring.

Our nine world-class service facilities across the East Coast proudly service all makes and models from day-sailers to global-cruising mega-yachts. We can tailor our service and storage offerings to suit your individual needs and are always happy to customize a package to best accommodate you. We invite you to enjoy Hinckley’s unparalleled service, no matter what make or model you own.

Over the years we have fine-tuned the art of delivery, season after season, to provide an effortless and seamless experience from your first day on the water to your last. From service to storage to pickup and delivery, our concierge experience will make every season the best one yet.

Unmatched Quality Paint

We have multiple paint booth locations along the coast including Southwest Harbor, ME; Stamford, CT; Annapolis, MD; Stuart, FL and Portsmouth, RI, which is one of the largest paint booth facilities on the East Coast. We attract customers near and far seeking the highest quality painting services on all makes and models of yachts.

Whether you require Awlgrip, Imron, Interlux or other marine paint finish, Hinckley’s paint booths will transform your boat into a sleek and stunning work of art. We employ some of the highest caliber painters in the industry and their attention to detail is unmatched. Whether you need hull paint or a complete hull and deck paint job, we will complete your project with the utmost precision and punctuality.

Working with the crew at Hinckley Yacht Services on our paint refit was a pleasure. They were professional and courteous at all times—and their door was always open. We are thrilled with the end product achieved on time and on budget.

• Awlgrip HDT Partnership
• Capability & Capacity
• Experience Matters

Awlgrip HDT, delivers unprecedented shine, color saturation, and durability. Continually driving innovation and unmatched quality, Hinckley Yacht Services locations in both Portsmouth and Stuart have a reputation for being some of the best in the business to offer this new high-definition technology.

Our paint booth facilities accommodate boats up to 140’ with separate facilities for mast refinishing. With multiple paint booths in our yards from North to South, we are able to accommodate all makes and models and projects large and small with superb paint finish.

Our team has extensive experience in boat painting and has developed a reputation for accommodating our customers’ needs, sticking to our timelines, and facilitating access to boats. Years of experience coupled with well-established relationships with our customers are among the reasons people choose Hinckley for all their painting needs.

Run Faster Repower

Interested in the latest engine technology to enhance your experience at the helm and time on the water? For owners with inboard diesel engines and outboard powered boats, Hinckley Yacht Services offers unmatched expertise in the complexities of power conversion and upgrades through our 9 world-class service yards along the East Coast from Maine to Florida.

Our experience with Hinckley Yacht Services was nearly effortless. Hinckley Yacht Services Portsmouth is the only waterfront Mercury dealer in our region, which took a lot of hassle out of deciding to upgrade our engines mid-season. We were back out on the water with our kids in a short period of time running at faster speeds with better efficiency. We had a great experience with Hinckley Yacht Services, and we've recommended the team there to many of our friends.

• Outboard Dealer
• Inboard Dealer
• Custom Service Packages

Our Outboard Repower Program is focused on helping owners of any make or model yacht repower to the latest in outboard technology from Mercury Marine, Yamaha, and other outboard brands, for optimal speed and efficiency, as well as maximum time on the water.

For owners of inboard powered boats, Hinckley brings unmatched expertise in the complexities of power conversion. We carry and service all major marine inboard diesel engines including Cummins, Yanmar, Westerbeke and Caterpillar.

Our custom service packages include access to pick-up and delivery of your yacht anywhere on the East Coast and a dedicated Service Manager for project management and ease of communication, as well as in-season support. Also included is a comprehensive inspection from stem to stern-including sea trial , cleaning and detailing of the entire boat , comprehensive quality control process for the outboard motors, inboard engines and propulsion, and digital control systems to ensure a superior operating experience.

Unrivaled Craftsmanship Refit

We offer full refits, restorations, and upgrade services at all of our nine Hinckley Yacht Services locations. We see all varieties of makes and models at our yards, including racing sailboats, express yachts, day sailers, motor yachts, super yachts, trawlers, sport fish yachts, outboard yachts, and center consoles.

We brought our 85' Motortacht to Hinckley Yacht Services for an extensive refit involving a repower, complete varnish work, added a custom wet bar, new cushion upholstery, and full hull paint. The work was extensive, but we knew we were in good hands. From the communication with our Service Manager to the skilled craftsman and tradespeople, it was an excellent experience and we are thrilled with the end result.

• Customization
• Craftsmanship
• Dedicated Service Manager

At our nine world-renowned service locations, we have the unique ability to completely customize your yacht to suit your every desire. Over the years our top-notch team of expert craftsmen have completed some of the most exquisite and intricately designed yacht customizations in the world. We invite you to browse our project galleries on each location page to gather inspiration for your next project. With Hinckley, no idea is too grand.

From exterior finishes and woodwork to top-of-the-line electronics and amenities to and all the bells and whistles in between, we are here to make your dreams a reality.  Marine varnish and teak refinishing are among our specialties. Among our capabilities are restoring your teak deck, bringing back the luster of your yacht’s brightwork and replacing teak rails or other trim pieces.

Every boat owner is assigned an experienced and dedicated Service Manager as their single point of contact, which ensures ample communication, simplifies the project management process, and gives you a dedicated direct line of communication to Hinckley Yacht Services.

We'll Come To You Mobile Service

Our unique mobile service is designed to bring our concierge level of service to you, wherever you may be. We know your time is valuable and we’re in the business of optimizing it, especially time spent on the water, no matter where you are.

I texted my Service Manager about an issue I was having onboard my center console in the morning. They sent a tech straight to my boat where it was docked at my house within a few hours. The tech found the issue and resolved the problem pretty quickly. I was out on the water that same afternoon with my kids and grandchildren.

• Call or Text
• We’ll Come to You

Wherever you may be onboard your boat, with Hinckley Yacht Services and your dedicated Service Manager, we’re just a call or text away.

Our mobile service team will visit your boat directly for service on all makes and models.

We’re here to take the hassle out of boating and deliver you quality time on the water, season after season.

Nıne Locations Service Network

Hinckley Yacht Service brings together nine world-class facilities and our established mobile service team to deliver an ownership experience like no other. Our locations from Maine to Florida are available to you no matter where your home port may be, and we can connect you with the services you need in whatever port of call you may find yourself.

When I'm done using my boat for the summer in Nantucket, I let my Service Manager know she's ready to head south to Palm Beach. I make a simple phone call, and the Hinckley team handles everything else. When I arrive in Palm Beach, my boat is there in my slip, serviced and ready for the winter season.

• Service Network

With our network of nine world-class facilities along the East Coast, we’re are here to support you, no matter where your adventures take you.

Once you are a Hinckley customer, you’ll be assigned a dedicated Service Manager for the life of your ownership, no matter what make or model boat you own and no matter where you are located. You can count on your Service Manager wherever you are, no matter what service you may need and no matter which of our service facilities you may find yourself.

Get in Touch with Service

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WELCOME TO Elite Marine specialists

Let our 50 ton lift haul your vessel, servicing boats from 18' to 80' since 1998..

Elite Marine Specialists is a full service boat yard in St. Petersburg, Florida. We have been serving the community with yacht restoration and boat maintenance services since 1998. Let our company get you back on the water right in time for summer! We are experienced and have the know how to solve a wide range of problems that might be happening with your vessel.  Need a full service boat yard in St Petersburg, call (727) 289-7019 today!

Carl Humbert

Owner/President

Yard Manager

Master Craftsman

Administration

Our Services

Here are a few of the services we offer and much, much more: Inboard/Outboards, Stern Drives, Gas or Diesel Motors Installs or Repairs - Service, Repair & Maintenance - Repower - Fiberglass / Gelcoat Repair - Topside Paint - Electrical - Electronics Install - Bottom Paint - Running Gear - Pressure Washing - Cutlass Bearings - Prop Reconditioning - Interior Renovation - Custom Fiberglass Parts - Woodwork - Upholstery - Vessel Loading / Unloading - Bow Thrusters  ...     Call us today for an estimate: (727) 289-7019 .

Electrical Systems

From troubleshooting battery problems to a complete rewire with custom electrical distribution panels. We can design a system to accommodate your needs, and make your electrical panel beautiful and service accessible.

Bottom Work

Elite offers a full spectrum of options for your bottom paint applications, from premium paint, to peels and blister repairs. We can utilize the application that best suits your needs and your budget.

Fiberglass, Gelcoat & Paint

From simple Gelcoat repairs to custom parts, Elite Marine has the experience and skill to take care of your needs. (Hurricane storm damage repairs, Bow Thrusters, Mezzanines, Swim platforms, Transom Doors, Deck Recore, Hard Tops, Fish Boxes, Imron - AWL Grip Paint Applications, Complete Interior Renovations.

From a standard engine maintenance service, to a complex, "they say it can't be done" repower, our capable crew will get your vessel ready to cruise or create that "head turner" you've always wanted. We can service anything from small outboards to large inboard diesels. Our mechanics don't cut corners when it comes to engines.

Get in touch