Details:

Length: 30 feet
Beam: 10 feet
Draft: 5 feet
Displacement: 18,000 lbs
Engine: Yanmar 3GM, 20hp
Rig: Gaff-rigged sloop
Built in 1960, MA

Bear is a Tahiti, designed by John Hanna in 1935. It was Hanna's intent to provide a design for a voyaging vessel, one that could travel any ocean, but could be built by the industrious home builder. Hundreds of plans have been sold worldwide, and dozen upon dozens of Tahitis have been built. Many have made circumnavigations -- the most well known were by Jean Gau's Atom and Tom Steele's Adios. Both circumnavigated twice. The Registry of Wooden Yachts lists 25 Tahitis, including Bear.

History
Bear was built in 1960 in Massachusetts by Harmon Hunt, navy veteran and master watchmaker, following the detailed plans of Hanna, which called for heavy construction throughout. Hanna designed the Tahiti as a ketch. Bear was built as a ketch and made its first voyage to the Virgin Islands with that rig. Its second voyage there was as a sloop with a pinky stern. About 1968, Hunt converted Bear to a Marconi rigged cutter with a large roller furling jib. In 2001 it was converted to the present gaff sloop configuration.

Hunt sold to Valmar Thompson in 1974, who sailed Bear extensively for 21 years on the eastern seaboard, including three trips to Nova Scotia, the last one being a cruise of 44 days that took Bear to the Bras d'Or Lakes of Cape Breton. In 1995 Bear was sold, but was reacquired in 2001. Repairs were made and it was converted to a gaff sloop configuration with a new main sail. In June and July of 2003, Bear completed an 800-mile cruise to New York City and back to Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

Construction Overview
Construction is heavy with workboat finish throughout. Frames are double sawn oak, planking fir, fastenings galvanized. Deck is teak. Bronze ports, stainless steel standing rigging. In anticipation of an Atlantic crossing, Bear was fiberglass from deck to keel in 1988 using the method developed by master boatbuilder Allen Vaitses, which calls for mechanically fastening the fiberglass mat to the hull. Time has shown the virtue of this techniquE: Bear's hull is in fine shape. The Yanmar engine was installed in 1989. It turns a 15-inch two-bladed prop at 2 1/2 to 1 reduction. Tankage is stainless steel. The new mainsail is by Nat Wilson.

Detailed Description with Comments on Condition
In addressing the condition of components of Bear, one must keep in mind that the entire boat was built to "workboat finish." This is appropriate and no attempt has even been made to prettify it. When using terms such as "excellent," or "works perfectly," it is in reference back to workboat standards. Those who require the perfection of fiberglass and aluminum, who want varnish and chrome, will not be interested in Bear.

Hull:
Hull is sound; massively built of white oak timbers with 1 3/8 planking. Fiberglass outer sheathing is smooth and fair. Oak rub rail is in fair condition. Eight-foot oak bowsprit is in excellent condition. Cap rail is in good condition generally, but needs repair in several places. Mast is fir, box construction in good condition. Topmast is new and in excellent shape, as are boom and gaff. All running rigging is 11/2 synthetic in excellent condition. Shrouds and forestays are 5/16 stainless steel in excellent condition. Turnbuckles are bronze.

Sails:
Gaff main sail (by Nat Wilson) is new. It sets perfectly and is in perfect condition. Jib is Dacron and is in good condition. Topsail is older Dacron. Unused spitfire jib and storm trysail are included in sail inventory as is cover for main sail.

Electrics and Electronics:
Starting battery is charged from engine driven alternator. Same batter provides running lights and cabin light. This minimal electrical system functions perfectly. Provision is provided for a backup battery. VHF radio is recent and functions perfectly.

Engine, etc.:
Yanmar engine was purchased from Yanmar dealer (Orr's Island Boat Works) with very low hours. Estimate hours on engine is 2,500. This engine runs perfectly, starts instantly, and uses almost no oil. It has proven to be absolutely reliable. Stainless steel fuel tank is adjacent to engine and provides a range of 160 miles. Engine drives a 15" two-blade prop through a transmission that gives a 2.6 to 1 reduction. No trouble ever experienced with shaft, stuffing box or prop.

Other items:
Head is new, functions fine. Has legal holding tank and Y-valve. Water tank is stainless steel and holds 16 gallons. Water is drawn to S/S galley sink by bronze hand pump. Stove is two burner propane, with tank mounted on foredeck. These systems are very simple and straight forward, and hence operate without trouble. Steering is by cable operated by traditional 8-spoke wheel.

Equipment:

Anchor with 10 feet of chain
150 feet of 3/4 inch nylon anchor line
Gimbeled cabin lamp
VHF radio
Boat hook
Manual bilge pump
Life jackets
Boarding ladder
Sail cover (main)
Comprehensive engine manual
Bunk cushions
Propane stove with external tank
Horn
Yacht ensign
Sails: main, jib, topsail, trysail and storm jib

Bear is at Spruce Head Marine, Spruce Head, Maine.

Price: $11,500
Contact: Val Thompson at 207-882-7637 or send an email to kit@kitlab.net.