22′ Webbers Cove / Pemaquid Beach 22
This special little “YOT” was never intended to go to work like its impressively sturdy stable mates. Pemaquid Harbor Yachts determined this one was going to get dressed up for the shows. And dressed well! In addition to the massive use of teak and bronze throughout, and the careful attention to detail, it’s classic Downeast good looks are hard not to notice.
Good design is just…good design!
Easily recognizable on the East coast, (especially NE), Downeast boats have earned a solid reputation for their comfortable sea keeping capabilities with fine entries and stable stance, they instill a confidence of safety, practicality, and strength, with high bows, speed, stability, simplicity, and a prop that gives you a good bite when you need it.
This is a stout boat, built by men that know what works, and lasts. Period.
Its rare to find them on the left coast, I suppose because we don’t have lobsters, but we do have an appreciation for a good classic American boat, and this one will feel right at home plying NW waters.
In addition to a total finishes refurbishment, I couldn’t resist adding a few new touches along the way:
New dash and gauges
Teak paneling to transom
Verticle strakes to cockpit walls and bulkhead
Vent in aft seat bench
Teak dash decks and engine box panel
The hardware on this boat is amazing! The bow rail is heavy 1/8″ thick wall bronze tubing. Cleats, steering linkage, rudder, fairleads, deck hardware, hinges, fasteners, controls, latches, port lights, bow roller, even the steering wheel is solid bronze!
Her name was RADIANT, I can understand how that came to mind.
What a treasure! About as close to perfection as I have seen in my 80+ years of boating. And particularly resonant since I spend about half the year at our place on the coast of Maine a couple of miles from Pemaquid Point. Were I not deaccessioning my seacraft now, I would snap it up in an instant. Bravo to you for caring for it so wholeheartedly!
Dear Eliot,
Thank you so much for your kind words and lofty appraisal! My first encounter was while walking down the dock in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Struck by its conformation, I had to inquire, despite there being no indication that it could be for sale. The harbor master passed along my number to her owner and a couple of years later, voilà. She was in a bit less than ideal condition, and to refurbish only some portion would have left the rest out of balance, so…stem to stern it is!
Figuring 5 months should enough time to get things “ship shape” I dove in …headlong … only to come up for air some 10 months later, as once committed, it became clear “stem to stern” would not suffice, with “top to bottom” and “port to starboard” entering the mix. It was an enjoyable and rewarding project.
Cheers,
Larry
“The secret to success is making your vocation your vacation”
Mark Twain