When Boats We’ve Loved Find Their People
The Joy (and a Little Elbow Grease) of a Good Match
One of the great joys of running BoatFools Sailing isn’t just finding cool boats—it’s hearing what happens after.
Recently, five of the stunners we profiled found new owners and set off on fresh adventures:
The Muscongus Bay 18—a featherweight carbon fiber daysailer that looked as good on the hard as she did skimming along a Maine breeze—has headed west to Michigan. Her new owner plans to let her stretch her legs on freshwater lakes, where she’ll turn plenty of heads. The seller, Andy, sent us a short video clip of her under sail, and the smile on the new owner’s face said it all. Honestly, even we were a little surprised she sold for around $65k. That’s a lot of money—but she’s a beauty, and someone fell hard. (For the record, she cost more than twice that to build.) A perfect match was made. Andy even invited Canadian Ken and me over for a glass of wine—or two—to celebrate. Class act.
The Vineyard Vixen 29, BANSHEE, with her elegant lines and unmistakable pedigree, was plucked from her mooring in Duxbury, MA and brought down to the Hudson. Her new skippers? Dead-set on exploring Long Island Sound and beyond. Exactly the life she was built for. The new owners sent photos; the seller, Rob, took them sailing, showed them the ropes, and made sure Banshee was good to go. Another class act. We keep saying this, but it’s true: so far, every seller and buyer we’ve met has been exactly the kind of person you’d want to share a mooring field with.
MERLIN—that custom 32-foot gaff-rigged sloop designed by a former Sparkman & Stephens designer? She sold for $10k. The seller even helped the new owner sail her seven hours from Bristol to Rockland. She’s now moored near me, and I fully intend to track her down and hear the story firsthand. After all, MERLIN is made of wood. That takes a special kind of love—and we applaud it wholeheartedly.
The Morris Justine 36. List price: $215k. By far the highest-priced boat we’ve profiled. She sold four days ago and has sailed off to parts unknown. Clearly a love match. That boat blew our hair back. A stunner. And now she’s in someone else’s arms. Lucky bastard.
The Pearson Triton 28, a nearly perfect 1964 example listed at $13k. I loved this boat. For her age and size, she was about as sweet as they come. Clearly, someone agreed. As of today, 07/16/2025, she has a new owner—and years of adventures ahead.
In short, these updates remind us why we do this. These aren’t just boats—they’re dreams in fiberglass, wood, and sometimes (if you’re lucky) carbon fiber. And seeing them land with owners who really get it? That’s as good as it gets.
Here’s the thing, though: sailing isn’t always easy. Boats will test your patience. They’ll demand your Saturdays, your calloused hands, and a few creative expletives. But the reward? You’ll learn more than you ever thought you could, join a salty, generous community, and find those quiet moments aboard when the wind fills in, the hull heels gently, and the world slows down.
Don’t be afraid of a little work. Ease is the new disease. A bit of elbow grease, some varnishing, and a fair amount of tinkering is good for the soul. Be patient. Good things—boats, adventures, friendships—happen to those who stick with it.
So pursue that dream. Whether it’s a lake-sailing carbon beauty or a full-keel cruiser ready to stretch her legs, your boat is out there. And maybe—just maybe—she’ll be in our next Top 10 or we will get to take you on a full tour.
Until next time!
-Tris, Canadian Ken, and GMJ
How come I don’t have a nickname? My hunch is my name doesn’t rhyme with anything cool - or appropriate. If you come up with a winner, we’ll send you a free hat!
I’m so in love with my 1985 Pearson 385 I just acquired!
“Trust-in Tristram”….? 🤔