We have become accustomed to selling boats year round here on the Chesapeake Bay courtesy of climate change. It is unusual now for boats to become locked in the ice or for lift wells to be to firm to launch a boat for sea trial.

This winter however we had a few weeks reminder of what it can be like on the Chesapeake in cold weather! I have been working with Neil Jordaan towards the purchase of a lovely 44’ Mason sloop built in Asia by “Ta Shing” or Pacific Asian Enterprises. For those not familiar with these boats, they represent (in my opinion) the top of the food chain for boats manufactured in the Far East. Every aspect of the boat from the GRP tooling to the interior fit and finish is just exemplary. The metal components, wiring, and rigging also are to high yacht standards.

On first inspection of the Mason there was two inches of solid ice locking the boat in her slip. For the preliminary survey I used my weight in a RIB to break enough of the ice around the boat to allow for Marine Surveyor Bob Skord to get a thorough look at the hull sides. The following week gave us a warmer weather window in which to move the boat across the Inner Harbor to Boston Street for a “quick haul” and return trip sea trial.

After a full evaluation of the boat and the review of a perfunctory punch list with Captain Simon Lont, Neil Jordaan is starting to realize that he is purchasing a very special yacht! The Mason’s are a traditional hull form with overhangs that are no longer popular in yacht design. She is full-keeled with a cutaway fore-foot so no speed demon. I would venture though that Neil will sail this boat many miles before he ever gets a sense that the boat is pounding into a head-sea.

Good Luck Neil with this wonderful yacht!

Scott Taylor-CPYB