Saving Sauntress? (Patreon)

I usually don't post about wooden boats that need saving, simply because there are so many of them out there. However, this one speaks to me.

Sauntress is a 28' Gaff Cutter - built in 1913, engineless, with a yard for a square-sail. She needs serious work and is lying in Carriacou, an island in the south-eastern Caribbean.

Though she comes from a relatively unknown Welsh designer, she is achingly beautiful, and has many stories to tell - thanks mostly to the care and devotion of previous owner Martin O’Scannall, who had the boat for 40 years, and says she sails like a dancer and wins every race.

She survived deadly hurricane Beryl in 2024, but emerged from the Mangroves worse for wear - a broken bowsprit, and some damage to deck planks and rig. There is also termite damage - we don't know how much, it could be a lot.

This boat is a big project for sure, but she has the hallmarks of a great story - history, beauty, and the potential to take someone on great adventures.

She needs someone resourceful and energetic - both for the repairs, and to sail and live aboard a small engineless cutter. There is risk, of course - but the reward could be huge. Carriacou is a wonderful place to do a project like this, and I must admit I thought long and hard about taking her on myself before reconciling myself with the fact that it's not the right time.

She is free to the right person. If you're interested and serious, email brian@bviyachtsales.com or martincalpe@gmail.com for more information.