Sea Era ready for restoration.
With the beauty, strength and soul of a classic wooden boat, this John Alden ketch has sailed the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas, and survived the Force 10 Fastnet storm of 1979 off the coast of Ireland.
Her retired skipper and owner, Capt. Cress Baxter, died recently, creating a rare opportunity for a new owner to restore and update this piece of sailing history. Built in Kennebunkport, Maine in 1961, Sea Era is currently berthed in the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon. Capt. Baxter felt certain that the spirit of John Alden lived on board Sea Era, and it may be so. But that’s a story for another time.
A recent survey lists her present value at $25,000, and her replacement value at $400,000.
Type: Sail
Construction: Wood
Wood hull: Yes
Engine: Diesel
Year built: 1961
Builder: Baum Boatworks – Kennebunkport, Maine
Designer: John Alden
LOA: 45’6″
Beam: 12’7″
Draft: 6’9″
Sea Era offers the committed buyer a rare opportunity to enjoy and take pride in this piece of sailing history. For further information, contact MaureenRedl@mac.com, or call her at 415-847-7068.
What sort of work needs to be done/what’s wrong with her? Do you have any more pictures? What is your asking price? What is included in the purchase? Thank you.
Richey Thomason
541-255-6260
Hi,
Same questions as previous reply. What kind of work does the boat need? Photos? Details, such as dimensions of the boat, weight, engine specs, sail inventory, etc. Thanks.
Jon Clark
Seattle
206-949-4288
I am interested in visiting the vessel and examining her recent survey. I am a professional mariner working out of Portland, Oregon. Respectfully,
Captain Edwin Anderson
360/931-5382
I am interested in visiting Sea Era and examining her recent survey. I am a professional mariner working out of Portland, OR.
Respectfully,
Captain Edwin Anderson
360/931-5382
Ah Yes
This must be “sistership” I would presume to the other John Alden ketch that also survived the the ‘Fastnet’ storm of 1979 and was sold or at least offered for……. $7800 in March ’08. Isn’t it just amazing how boats appreciate in value so much in such short periods of time.
The survey value of this boat at $25,000 is an insult to the “storybook” value of this magnificent vessel and should have been listed at least another $100000 for a total “replaced value” of $500000. Legend has it that those who even look at detail photos “Sea Era” develop a talent for long winded drivel; ah… but that is a story for another time …
Beldar
As with house prices and insurance replacements estimates of wooden houses, those of us who treasure wooden structures remain the sole evaluators of the their true value.
Am trying to learn of the existance of a 50 ft Alden designed gaff-riged, clipper bowed, top-sail schooner, originally rigged with a yard on the foremast, named Story II, built in the mid 1930s. My father, William L. Taylor, owned it for a short while on the east coast (NYC/Cape Cod), roughly from 1939 -1942? Last I’ve heard it was owned by a furniture company (?) in California.
Would be delighted to hear any news of this marvelous boat!
I am looking for my Father’s 34′ Alden ketch sold in Manchester,Mass in the early 1970′s – it’s name was the Nomad and it had a beautiful wooden dingy with it. If anyone knows the Nomads location I would love to know about it.
I am also looking to find out what happend to my fathers 48′ John Alden Ketch. I believe it was a malabar (SP?). We sold it down in Mexico in approx 2001 after he passed away from Cancer. Beautiful boat with rich history, let it go for $12k…what a shame
Oops, name of the boat was Cybele
I would like more information and photos please.
the last i heard of cybele was it got sold to the australian couple that had no idea of how to properly restore her, launched once, started to sink, relaunched successfully and made it as far as la paz.
they fell of the map from that point. their plan was to make it to Australia. searched thru Oz resources and can’t find any sign of them or their boat. Email address died shortly after leaving mexico. good luck. in its day, Cybele was one of the best aldens out there.
This is to Barbara Eckert. I have a alden ketch of 33 foot in length called “Nomad” I bought her about 13 years ago as a project boat and totaly restored her . However I bought her in western australia. I was told that the boat was stolen and was used in the drug trade in asia for a number of years and ended up in a marina in western australia. She was in a bad state of repair and was auktioned off by the local port authorathy , where I bought her in 1996. I am not sure that this is the boat your looking for . if you contact me , I will send you some photo’s
Regards Bart
i would very much be interested in details as to the work that is needed, as well as more photos, especially of the intirior. I am also curious about the hull. it apears that it is encased in fiberglass in the photo. Any information would be much apreciated.
Thank you!
Hi there to anyone who can help me with the history of my John Alden designed 50 ft yawl named – BAHIA. Built 1929.
She is built of oregon carvel planks on oak frames with an oregon strip planked deck. I have owned her for 1 year and bought her here in NZ. BAHIA has had 2 previous NZ owners one of which sailed her extensively in the Pacific Islands. There was no history with her when purchased but I believe that she spent time in Portugal and may have been built in New York. There are serial no’s etched into the timbers from outside of New Zealand. Currently she is undergoing maintenance for summer sailing.
Any info would be much appreciated… Thanks , Lance