Classic Hong Kong-built Mahogany Sailing Yacht
Calkins 50 Motorsailer elegant and fast

his classic mahogany Motorsailer, designed by W.H. Calkins and built by American Marine in Hong Kong, has been refit extensively over the last seven years.

The vessel, now lying in Ensenada, Mexico, has just completed a major refit including hull, mast and rigging maintenance and repairs. Condition is very good.

All work was done by a highly respected shipwright and supervised by the legendary boat builder and surveyor, Cecil Lange, founder of Cape George Cutters in Port Townsend, Washington, who has personally built over 300 vessels.

With a 120 HP Ford Lehman 6-cylinder diesel with low hours since rebuild and a respectable sail inventory, this yacht cruises at 9 knots. This design has been particularly popular among sailors who appreciate the gentleman's yachting style of the 50's and 60's plus the speed of a sleek Calkins design.

A high gloss varnished teak cabin top with 10 large ports provides great visibility, and the large cockpit makes for comfortable cruising and entertaining.

Refitting also has included re-glassing the cabin top, sealing the entire hull with penetrating epoxy and new paint from top to bottom. The vessel was last hauled for bottom maintenance in July 2004. All electrical systems were re-wired with 100 percent tinned marine-grade wire. Fuel tanks also were removed, refurbished and painted. Hull also was reinforced with 16 laminated sister ribs, and the boom was also rebuilt using Spruce (box construction).

Sails include a main, 150 genoa, storm jib, star-cut spinnaker, an inflatable dinghy and a hard bottom dinghy, a Honda 1500-watt generator, sail covers, a full canvas boat cover, three anchors and chain, and an electric windlass.