Fishers Island 31 Mameena up for auction

[motoxmom1]

I found a Herreshoff Fishers Island 31 named "Aldebaron" up for auction about a year ago in Kansas. After doing some research I discovered it was the boat named "Mameena" and that it had been unaccounted for. The photo on this website is one that I had taken when I went to inspect the boat. The owners turned out to be the high bidder, as the boat did not bring what they had wanted, so it did not actually sell. I have now found it up for auction again through a local consignment house. The boat will be selling without reserve. I thought some of you might be interested. The Brass Hull Plate is in the boat, although the auction company has not posted a picture of it, I can verify that it is indeed Hull #1060. Let me know if I can be of any help.
Here is a link: http://www.purplewave.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?090805/1002

[Steve]

Motoxmom1: Thanks for the update.  I'll try and follow this auction so we know what happens to her.  Here is a link to the previous thread.

      http://www.herreshoffregistry.org/forum/index.php?topic=12.msg20#msg20

[ccolton]

Hi All,

I just found this forum as a result of searching for this Fishers Island 31 - I had seen it previously on Yachtworld and wondered what had happened to her.  I am potentially interested in bidding for her but am, quite frankly, intimidated by the extent of work necessary to bring her up to shape.

I have done some research about Herreshoff yachts in general, but still do not really know how the Fishers Island 31 stacks up.  She obviously has beautiful lines, but is she considered one of the better designs?  What I am weighing is this; if I commit to spending time in an undertaking of this magnitude, I would like to have confidence that when finished, the boat was a good choice and well-sailing.

With regard to a complete restoration of a boat like this one, will I find adequate information to make the restoration; e.g., original plans; etc.  I have never attempted a restoration but have been sailing most of my life and have been a woodworking hobbyiest during this same time.  I recognize that this may not be enough.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Chris

[Adam]

Hi Chris,
"Stacks up" is a relative term. What are you looking for - a day sailor? A racer? a coastal cruiser? ocean cruiser? etc...All designs are compromises. The FI 31 design is a – for the era - racer/cruiser. And a pretty balanced one at that – as opposed to say a NY 30 which has a bent towards the racing side of things (IMO). Like all Herreshoff yachts, they did their intended use supremely well for which they were designed (at least in the opinions of the forum members here  ).

As for a resto – others here are far more experienced then I to answer that one. Although you may want to contact Ballentine's Boat Shop. They did the rebuild for FI31 – AZURA – which they currently have for sale.

http://www.ballentinesboatshop.com/PDFs/Azura%20Ad.pdf

[ccolton]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for your reply.

I guess i am Potentially looking for a project first, and then cruiser second - doubt I will race at all.  I had read that this was a balanced boat that would make a pretty good cruiser.  I don't have plans to sail around the world - probably the Chesapeake, and coastal sailing. 

I have lived aboard two times - this is not a boat that I would plan to live aboard, but might like to spend 2-3 weeks at a time on vacation.

Chris

[cpc63]

Here is what it sold for:  $3,630

Item  Photo  Description Price  Bidder  
1002  1927 Aldebaron 44' yacht
· Herreshoff Fishers Island 31
· Hull number 1060
· Designer Sidney Herreshoff
· Wood hull
· Single head
· Sink with pressure water
· Gimbaled four-burner stove with oven
· Icebox
· Ventilation from two hatches/slides and eight opening ports
· Dimensions LOA 43', draft 6', LWL 31'6", beam 10'6"
· 60hp Hercules Gray Marine gas engine and propeller
· Includes fifth-wheel-style 45' tandem axle transport trailer
· Mast and two sails on separate trailer
View marine vessel inspection
1 Financial Plaza
Woodbine, KS
Condition = 3 Sold as described, item has not been tested. We have made no attempt to evaluate this merchandise other than picturing it.
$3,630.00 contract price  

[Steve]

cpc63:  Thanks for the information and welcome to the Forum.  Do you happen to know anything about the winning bidder, where the boat will go, etc. ?

[cpc63]

Thanks Steve,

Sorry I have no further information, I happend to see it on the auction site and told a fellow worker and avid sailor about it, he was quite surprised to see it in Northeast Kansas and further surprised by the final selling price.

Thanks again.

[DavidVN]

Hello
 I just found this forum.
The boat in question was known as Praxilla for most of her racing life.
She sailed from City Island Yacht club on long Island sound. She was owned by my uncle who bought it in 1954 from John Parkinson.
If you would like more info on her please fel free to contact me.
Regards
  David Van Ness

[Adam]

Hi David - I did not know John Parkinson owned her. He had the famous Concordia "Winnie of Bourne" at that time (Built 1952) and didn't know that he had both...He did own "Praxilla" a BB 30 around 1906, the BB15 "Uarda" to about 1924 - and was an active sailor of the S-Class "Ripples" (now Volunteer) which he named "Winnie" (1950-52). He sold "Winnie" to Build "Winnie of Bourne". I wonder if he owned the FI 31 while WoB was being built?

You have me curious - It's been many years since I've read his "Davy Jones" - Now I have an excuse  

[rrifco]

I live near Woodbine Ks. and did some work on this boat in 1987. Just wondering if anyone knows where she is now? Thaks Russ

[Steve]

Welcome to the Registry, Russ.  The boat was purcahsed at auction in August of 2009 by a gentleman named Randy McEwen.  It is in Woodbine, Kansas as far as I know.  If I recall my conversation correctly, Randy understimated the amount of work required and may be interested in selling her.

-Steve

[rrifco]

I checked with owner of the storage where the boat was in Woodbine. They said it left last summer, But didn't know where she went. I am not a sailor, I just was curious about wether or not someone keeps her going. Thanks