Yard News & Photos

Dredging Underway

by Yves Feder, special to Dodson Boatyard News

Bob Snyder, President of Dodson Boat Yard, LLC of Stonington, Connecticut, is very happy to announce that dredging operations in Stonington's inner harbor are underway this fall to allow for a controlling depth of 9 feet MLW into and around the dock spaces at Dodson's.

The dredging contractor, Thames Dredge & Dock Company, has been working since October 15th to accomplish this major task, running a round robin from the harbor to the authorized dumping grounds off the Connecticut Coast day in and day out during this period.

Getting things underway, and securing all the permits involved, has taken years of effort, during which time it has been frustrating for many visitors to endure dockside depths of less than five or six feet. For Dodson's, this is a major investment in improving access to their many outstanding services.

Stonington Harbor is arguably the most beautiful and hospitable of all the sailing destinations anywhere on the Connecticut shore, and it occupies a special place as not only one of the great cruising destinations in Southern New England, but also as a key stopover for cruisers on the East Coast voyaging between the Caribbean and the Canadian Maritimes during the season. At the eastern end of Fisher's Island Sound, Stonington is often compared to some of the most attractive harbors "down East".

Since so many visiting craft in Stonington are sailboats, drawing six feet or more, the dredging operations now being done will remove any doubt that has accumulated over the years regarding conditions dockside at Dodson's.

The crew at Dodson's welcomes visitors at all times during the season, and urges all potential visitors to check out our fine harbor and facilities during the year and plan to make use of what we have to offer when you're out cruising and looking for a great destination, or just a stopover on your passage up or down the coast.

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.

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

Dodson Boat Yard, LLC recently participated in a cross-country purchase transaction of a Hinckley Sou’ Wester 51. Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Harty, a customer of DBY for 23 years and the owner of the Sabre 42 “REGULUS” (currently being offered for sale through DBY brokerage) is now the proud owner of “SANGOMA” (now “REGULUS”).

“SANGOMA” was located in Newport Beach, CA. The details of coordinating the various steps of the projects were complex. While Howard Taylor handled brokerage issues, Bob Snyder, the managing partner of DBY, personally made the trip to Newport Beach for the initial inspection, resulting in an enthusiastic recommendation to Mr. Harty to pursue the boat. Following a successful negotiation of agreeable terms, the next step was the survey. In addition to the surveyor Tony Knowles of Newport, RI, Michael Wakefield, DBY’s senior mechanic, made the trip to Newport Beach to assist in the detailed survey process. Significant considerations included the differing maintenance philosophies of boatyards in California. “SANGOMA” had been on the Pacific coast since 1994, and had only been hauled out briefly for bottom painting and the mast never unstepped. The rigging showed a distinct lack of attention and became a factor in the sale price and in the preparation required to pack her for transport.

Upon successful completion of the sale, the issue and logistics of transporting the yacht back to Connecticut was tackled and coordinated by Howard Taylor, including another trip to Newport Beach. The boat arrived safely in Stonington in late May.

As well found a yacht as she was, Mr. Harty has embarked on a comprehensive upgrade process. Initially, DBY is stripping and Awlgrip painting the carbon fiber spars. A Leisure Furl boom and new mainsail are also being installed. Electrical system upgrades, seacock renewal, bottom stripping/painting, and miscellaneous other systems maintenance will be completed prior to the yacht’s re-launch and commissioning in early July. A custom topsides Awlgrip paint job is planned for the winter lay-up period.

We congratulate Kathy and Emmett Harty on their acquisition of the “new” “REGULUS” and are proud to have cooperated in this new chapter of their long association with sailing yachts and Dodson Boatyard.