Past News

Dredging Underway

Stonington Sailor Readies For Atlantic Solo Race

Mr. Snyder, Concordias & Dodson Boatyard

DBY Brokerage Assists in trans-continental Purchase of 1993 Hinckley Sou’Wester 51

Robert Jenkins Snyder Sr passes away Oct. 4, 2004

Changes at Dodson Boatyard

The Boatyard undergoes a range of capital improvements

The Backward Burgee

Yard News & Photos

Mr. Snyder, Concordias & Dodson Boatyard

For those of us who knew Bob Snyder, Sr. (1925-2004) it is nearly impossible to think of him without also conjuring up an image of him aboard his beloved 1961 Concordia 39 yawl SHIMAERA (Hull #91). Bob cruised and raced her extensively for 40 years including one cruise to Bermuda in 1971, one Newport-Bermuda race, two extended cruises to the Bahamas, multiple Long Island Sound races, and all with the use of traditional dead reckoning and sextant navigation. Only his family took precedence to his love and devotion for SHIMAERA. Indeed, there have been more than a few suggestions that Bob’s decision to invest in a boatyard was motivated more than a little by his desire to spend more time around his boat.

Interestingly however, Bob’s ownership of SHIMAERA somehow attracted like-minded yachtsmen and over the years, Dodson Boatyard has had the privilege of servicing and maintaining many other Concordias. Two of them, SHIMAERA and DAME OF SARK, in fact received complete structural refits including rebuilding of the mast step, augumented by a custom truss/support system. DAME OF SARK also had its decks stripped and re-covered with Dynel as well as receiving a repower and another 39, PORPOISE, had DBY install teak decks and re-cover its coach roof with canvas. These major projects led to not only an improvement to the integrity of the boats, but also, established Dodson’s as a premier facility for the care, maintenance and brokerage of these classic yachts.

Sadly, Mr. Snyder passed away last fall. But as fate would have it this spring, two Concordia’s were sold through Dodson Boatyard Brokerage, a 1957 41’ sloop and a 1955 39’ yawl. Both new owners are fully appreciative of the pedigree of their new yachts and have asked DBY to assist in significant upgrade projects on both boats. In addition to electrical and electronic improvements, the 41 (Hull #54) now known as TALIESIN (ex: BANDA) has been stripped of its topsides paint and is being restored to its original bright topsides. The 39 (Hull #34), now MANDALA (ex: ORIANE) is being repowered with a Yanmar diesel engine, and is having its topsides repaired, refaired and repainted, including the distinctive application of gold leaf to its cove stripes and Concordia stars and crescent moons. Upon her purchase last spring SHIMAERA was repowered, converted to a fractional rig and renamed SNOWY OWL. Her new homeport is in Osterville Massachusetts. We are very proud to be associated with these Concordia’s. Thank you to all new owners and thank you SHIMAERA.