Claudia Jean at Conanicut Marina before leaving for Alaska

5 April 2010 Claudia G.

BOAT: Claudia G.
OWNER: Anonymous
DESIGNER/ BUILDER: Magna Marine, Moncton, New Brunswick Canada http://www.ctidirectory.com/search/company.cfm?company=61673
YEAR: 2001
 HULL: Solid fiberglass
LENGTH: 31 feet [9.44 meters]
HISTORY:
 Officially known as a Magna Miramachi 3100XL, Claudia G. is one of just a handful of boats produced by the short lived New Brunswick based company known as Magna marine. Her lines are distinctive and purposeful. The interior features varnished wood with a galley and shower. Three steps up is the enclosed pilot house- designed for comfort in bad weather.
 Claudia G. has enjoyed somewhat of a spoiled existence under the regular care of Cananicut Marine Services in Jamestown. http://www.conanicutmarina.com/In addition to expert maintenance, she was the beneficiary of a hull modification that made her more efficient when cutting water.
 All of this pampering has come to an end. Launched just before last week’s storms Claudia G. got a taste of what lies ahead in her next life. After a sea trial here in Narragansett bay, she will be trucked to her new home in Alaska.
 Going along with the boat will be the legacy of craftsmanship and care that is so prevalent in our area.

Island Lure- Harris 36- Jamestown, R.I.

Island Lure at Conanicut Marina in Jamestown, Rhode Island

Island Lure 5 Jan 09

BOAT: Island Lure
OWNER: Thomas LaFazia, Jamestown, R.I  http://seafoodri.com/wordpress/?p=173
BUILDER: Harris Boats, Gloucester, MA  http://www.yachtingjournal.com/directory/boats/builder-haj
DESIGNER: Royal Lowell, Yarmouth, Maine,  http://www.lowellbrothers.com/boatbuilding-down-east-book.htm
LENGTH: 36 feet [11 meters]
YEAR: 1973
 HULL: Double fiberglass with Balsa core
HISTORY:
 The history of Harris boats is difficult to trace. Many of the early fiberglass boat builders from the late 1960’s and 1970’s have gone out of business – their molds sold or lost. Harris is one such company. With fiberglass/ resin composite construction still new, builders at that time tended to err on the side of caution, making remarkably solid if not overbuilt boats that have become beloved classics in today’s market.
 Island Lure is a “rock solid” boat of that vintage. After spending the first three decades of her life in Rock Harbor, Ma, she came to Jamestown as a project boat for the father son team of Tom LaFazia senior and junior. Young Tom was just 22 years old when he became the official owner of the boat. Father and son set about restoring many aspects of the boat. They rebuilt the decks, installed fish boxes, new electronics, and built a custom fly bridge. They went through the whole boat and made her sound for commercial fishing.
While Tom works for Narragansett Bay Lobsters as a day job, his thoughts are never far from the classic beauty that he keeps floating eight months a year in our waters.

Stingray- Newport

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17 August 2009 Stingray
BOAT: Stingray   http://www.northropandjohnson.com/yachts-for-sale/740-STINGRAY
OWNER: Anonymous
DESIGNER: C. Raymond Hunt and Associates http://www.huntdesigns.com/
BUILDER: Wharton Shipyard, Jamestown, R.I. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/garden/07clingstone.html?pagewanted=all
LENGTH: 55 feet [16.7 meters]
HULL: Double & triple diagonally planked Honduras mahogany with an epoxy matrix skin
YEAR: 1964
HISTORY:
 This remarkable boat has a special and significant history both locally and to the world. The deep Vee hull used in this one of a kind luxury, high speed, ocean yacht laid the groundwork for thousands of boats to follow.
The owner of the largest business in Jamestown- Bill Munger of Conanicut Marine Services in Jamestown, worked on this boat as a kid at the Wharton Yard [now Jamestown Boat Yard] when the boat was under construction in 1964. At that time, both the design and construction were revolutionary. Names such as Bertram, Boston Whaler, and Surf Hunter descend from this one of a kind yacht.
 After a long stint in Florida and an extensive restoration involving over 27,000 man hours, Stingray is back in our area and she is for sale. The Newport based worldwide yacht brokerage Northrup & Johnson has her listed. She needs some work to be perfect, but after that, her next owner will have a truly unique, elegant, and capable yacht.

Toucan Tango- Frers 41- Jamestown, R.I.

25 May 2009 Toucan Tango


BOAT: Toucan Tango
OWNERS: Peter Coupe, Donna Fischer
DESIGNER: German Frers, Buenos Aries, Argentina
BUILDER: Carroll Marine, Bristol, R.I.
LENGTH: 41 feet [12.4 meters]
HULL: cored Fiberglass
YEAR: 1990
HISTORY:
 It is said that design is the most critical factor of any project- in the case of Toucan Tango, design and quality construction are married. German Frers has designed over 1000 yachts and super yachts. He has worked extensively with Swan, Halberg-Rassey and many other renowned builders. The Frers 41 design is reflective of all of that experience.
Founded by Janice and Barry Carroll, Carroll Marine [1984- 2003, Bristol, R.I.] specialized in series built offshore sailboats. They also built custom race boats and individual composite components. The Frers 41 is one of several Frers designed yachts built by Carroll. It is a comfortable yacht, sturdy and safe for offshore passages, yet still competitive on the race course.
 Owners Peter and Donna take full advantage of “Tango’s” capabilities frequently cruising the offshore waters between Maine and New Jersey. This week, “Tango” went in the water to spend her ninth summer at Conanicut Marine Services in Jamestown. The rig will go in this week, and the process of cleaning and preparing for the season is underway.
 Toucan Tango can be seen in Jamestown, or sailing in and around the waters of Narragansett Bay this summer.