Exploring Oyster Yachts: A Closer Look at BAKER STREET
We are pleased to announce the successful sale of BAKER STREET, an outstanding example of Oyster Yachts’ world-class craftsmanship, performance, and enduring appeal. Designed for long-range cruising, Oyster Yachts blend luxury and reliability, making them a favorite among experienced sailors and adventure seekers alike.
BAKER STREET was impeccably maintained and thoughtfully upgraded under the ownership of a professional superyacht captain. The vessel received substantial investment in both maintenance and modern enhancements, ensuring that she remained in top condition for her next owner.
For years, BAKER STREET provided a home on the water for her captain and family as they cruised coastlines and explored distant destinations in comfort and style. Her sale marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new adventure for her next owner, who will benefit from a truly turnkey sailing yacht.
A Yacht That Stood Out
BAKER STREET distinguished herself as one of the finest examples of Oyster craftsmanship on the market. With a meticulously maintained interior, high-end systems, and state-of-the-art equipment, she was a prime option for those seeking both luxury and performance.
Her ability to handle long-distance ocean voyages and comfortable coastal cruising made her an ideal vessel for a wide range of sailing experiences. This level of versatility and dependability is what sets Oyster Yachts apart, and BAKER STREET was a shining example of these qualities.
A Smooth Transition to New Ownership
Located in Maryland for winter storage, BAKER STREET was readily available for inspection and sea trials, providing potential buyers with the opportunity to view her exceptional condition firsthand. This accessibility, combined with her impeccable maintenance history and recent upgrades, made her a sought-after choice for a new owner ready to embark on their next sailing adventure.
Continuing the Oyster Legacy
Oyster Yachts are celebrated for their durability and quality, making them a top choice for sailors who dream of exploring the world by sea. BAKER STREET embodied these qualities, offering both performance and comfort in a well-equipped package. Her sale reinforces the lasting appeal of Oyster Yachts and the high demand for meticulously maintained vessels of this caliber.
To those who expressed interest in BAKER STREET, we appreciate your enthusiasm and inquiries. If you are still searching for the perfect Oyster yacht, we are here to help you find a vessel that meets your needs. Congratulations to the new owners of BAKER STREET—may she bring many years of incredible adventures on the water!
The Duchy 27 is a luxurious and versatile day boat, designed for yacht enthusiasts seeking both style and functionality. Offering comfortable seating for up to six passengers, this 27-foot yacht boasts a beautifully expandable varnished table in the cockpit, additional seating with a backrest on the engine box, and adjustable helm and companion seating. On-deck amenities include a built-in refrigerator and a cleverly crafted transom door/step, leading to a spacious swim platform with a convenient shower for post-swim rinse-offs. Safe and easy access to the foredeck is ensured by built-in steps, multiple handrails, and a sturdy bow rail, while twin bow rollers and an anchor windlass make mooring and picnics effortless.
The pilot house of the Duchy 27 offers both helm and companion adjustable seating, complemented by opening hatches and side windows for excellent light and 360-degree visibility. The helm is fully equipped with modern engine controls, gauges, navigation instruments, and conveniently located 12-volt DC switches. Designed for navigating the challenging conditions of the English coastline, the pilothouse offers excellent protection and security, ensuring a smooth ride in any weather.
As a capable weekender yacht, the Duchy 27 offers luxury amenities rarely found on yachts of its size. The interior is thoughtfully designed with a spacious V-berth that includes a filler for extra comfort, a fully functional galley, and an ensuite head with a shower, making overnight stays a breeze. Every detail, from the quality of materials to the high standard of craftsmanship, showcases the renowned work of Cockwells Classic and Modern Boatbuilders, based in Cornwall, UK, who have been building custom yachts for decades.
The synthetic teak decking, which includes the side decks, cockpit sole, swim platform, and coaming caps, gives the yacht a traditional aesthetic while maintaining low-maintenance practicality. Inside, the solid paneled cabinetry, dovetail-jointed drawers, customized storage solutions, and expertly finished wiring and plumbing highlight the superior level of craftsmanship. Additionally, the structural hull matrix ensures durability and strength.
The Duchy 27 is a classically designed, semi-custom yacht, handcrafted by skilled craftsmen who blend traditional shipwright techniques with modern luxury and performance. With over 35 yachts launched to date, the Duchy 27 has earned a reputation for quality craftsmanship, reliability, and seaworthiness. Each vessel is built to meet the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD), Cat C standards, ensuring safety and top-notch performance.
Proudly British-built, Hull #37 of the 2025 Duchy 27 is available now through Wellington Yacht Partners, the exclusive North American dealer for Cockwells Yachts. If you’re looking to buy a luxury yacht with timeless design, world-class performance, and unparalleled craftsmanship, this Duchy 27 for sale is an ideal option.
COCKWELL’S DUCHY RANGE OF MOTOR YACHTS TO THE US
Wellington Yacht Partners is pleased to announce their appointment as exclusive North American dealer for Cockwells Modern and Classic Boatbuilding, located in Falmouth, Cornwall, UK – proud builder of the Duchy line of fine motor yachts ranging from 25′ to 60′.
After thorough evaluation including sea trials on several Duchy models during multiple visits to Cockwell’s facilities in the UK, Wellington came away inspired by both the boats and the company creating them. Cockwells has been building exquisite custom yachts for decades and the breadth of experience, talent and capability was immediately evident and impressive. Cockwells also builds the Hardy line of trawlers and a wide variety of outstanding custom Superyacht tenders which have been creating a real buzz in the industry in recent years.
The award-winning Duchy range – with over sixty delivered to date – are built to an exceptional standard with a comprehensive list of options available to create a personal on-the-water experience. Capable and classic designs with innovative layouts and features, combined with the latest technology are hallmarks of the line, and make for a unique offering in the U.S. express cruiser market.
Wellington will display a brand-new Duchy 27 at the upcoming Annapolis Powerboat Show (Oct 3-6, 2024) at City Dock in Annapolis, MD, with Cockwell’s founder Dave Cockwell on hand to answer questions and describe the company’s building philosophy. Dave states: ”Building and sailing beautiful boats are my passion – form, function and perfection are my yardsticks – and at Cockwells we stop at nothing in our quest for perfection”. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to speak with Dave and the team at Wellington and to inspect the first Duchy 27 to arrive in the States! Whether you require a versatile day boat, a cozy weekender, a superb family cruiser or an exuberant sport boat for high-speed adventures, Duchy motor yachts are an exciting and distinctive new choice in North America.
Full details on the new Duchy 27 Hull #37
Newport is a beautiful coastal haven and is perfectly suited for life on the water, which also makes it the perfect place to host a boat show. The Newport Brokerage Boat Show in conjunction with the Newport International Boat Show is held annually at the end of the busy summer season. Come visit us at both shows and see our fine display of yachts.
NARWHAL is an iconic 48’ Cherubini Staysail Schooner. Her clipper bow with bowsprit, schooner rig, low freeboard and raised bulwarks aft, along with varnished teak cabin trunk sides, are reminiscent of L. Francis Herreshoff’s TICONDEROGA as interpreted by John Cherubini. She is a proven performer in near coastal waters, on the racecourse and crossing oceans. Her combination of shoal draft, spirited performance, a well-balanced helm and easy sail handling, along with drop-dead gorgeous lines, make her a true standout.
Like it or not, the cold weather has descended on the northeast. And while this means cozy afternoons watching football games for some, there is a hearty population who choose a bolder path.
Frostbite sailing is alive and well in Newport, RI. Every Sunday through April (holidays excepted), you can watch Laser Fleet 413 leaving the docks from Sail Newport at Fort Adams to jockey for position at the starting line. First race starts at 1 pm. Conditions can be sporty and tactics must be sharp, but the sailors are united in their passion for sailing and braving the elements.
From our very own Ted Hood, with close to 40 years of winter sailing under his belt in Narraganset Bay, “…It’s great camaraderie, great competition here among the local sailors. It keeps your sailing mind kind of fresh over the winter, so when spring comes, you’re a little less rusty. The quality of sailing and the fact that you can get out and sail once a week all year long is what makes Newport great.”
Seeking a new adventure (and if you’re lucky, some vitamin D)? Layer up, pack a hot drink, and come check out the local winter action!
By Bob Marston
Partner, Wellington Yacht Partners
It goes without saying that it has always been important to prep your boat before putting it on the market. Making sure it is clean, machinery is serviced, all equipment is working, and safety gear is up to date are all essential to having a smooth sale process.
In today’s market we are witnessing a new dilemma with the availability of replacement parts and qualified technicians. If you wait until your boat is under contract you may find yourself waiting eight weeks for that “heat exchanger”, or six weeks for an electrician to diagnose “why the radar is not working.” Buyers become impatient and move onto other options.
At Wellington Yacht Partners we are now advising owners to complete a thorough inspection of their boat, and in some cases a pre-survey to identify issues early, leaving enough time to get them repaired properly for market and a new buyer.
Credit to Stephens Waring Design: FALLEN IN LUST: BILL HAYNIE ON ZEMPHIRA Posted on October 25, 2022 and filed under SWD News & Stories
Following a 10 year career at sea as a yacht captain, Bill Haynie moved ashore to Newport RI and now works as a broker with Wellington Yacht Partners in Portsmouth, RI. He draws from his experience to offer continued project and program management services to select clients via his company Ransom Marine.
Bill has been working closely with SWD since 2020 when his client purchased Zemphira (originally launched in 2005 as Goshawk). Work included rebuilding to a demanding specification needed to satisfy a rigorous racing and cruising program of her new owner. We invited him to weigh-in on Zemphira, racing, and the performance of the boat after a major design renovation from Stephens Waring Design, carefully implemented by Lyman Morse Boatbuilding.
SW: What has been the biggest surprise in sailing Zemphira following her recent renovation?
BH: I think the boat surprised the entire race team with her performance – even by modern standards – which says a lot, given the caliber of crew we raced with. We had guys onboard with 3, 4, 5 America’s Cups, multiple Olympic campaigns, many TP52 Cups etc and they all admitted that they came in with lower expectations but left on a cloud. The boat is really light and quick in all conditions, super light on the helm, and tweakable to the extreme. Just enough power to feel really lively but surefooted enough that we could also put the owner on the wheel without getting nervous (in the right conditions). And per the bow team “teak is way more comfortable on the butt than carbon & nonskid”.
SW: Zemphira went through an extensive renovation period. What were the most challenging decisions that had to be made during the redesign and construction process?
BH: With any refit, most modifications come with some sort of compromise, and it’s important to strike the right balance that meets the owner’s use case and directive. From a 10,000 ft level, finding this balance is always my biggest challenge – in many refits past I have had to deal more with performance or reliability vs cost, but in this case we were most often dealing with performance vs comfort, or occasionally performance vs aesthetic. There were a couple of cases where we had to stop and ask you “can the boat handle this type of load” and we were pleasantly surprised to find that we were not really limited (by the design or structure) in how aggressive we could get with bigger/stiffer sails, rigging, and deck hardware.
SW: How does Zemphira address the needs of her owners, from racing to daysailing to cruising? What modifications have contributed most to the owners’ enjoyment of her in this first season of use?
BH: Zemphira certainly satisfied the owners’ itch for racing and winning, I think our collection of silver from last Summer speaks to that. This style of racing (SoT) is unique because it is about style and aesthetic as well as on-water performance, and the owners – being classic yacht fanatics – were very happy with the overall look and appeal of the boat. To go a little bit deeper, part of the reason we took initial interest in Zemphira (ex-Goshawk) was that she offered a surprising amount of square footage on the deck, aft of the sailing cockpit and runner winches. This seemed to be tough to find on such long, narrow, classic designs with overhangs like Zemphira, but in this case the dimensions worked perfectly. Because these owners intended to sail and race with some older (and often inexperienced) friends/guests, we liked that we had the ability to offer guest seating back there which was well out of the way of all maneuvers and of all loaded lines & winches. The pulpit bench + bean bags turned out to be both effective and comfortable – all in all a huge hit for racing and for daysailing.
SW: Zemphira has always been a performance-forward sailing yacht, but she has recently cleaned up with some big regatta wins including three Class A wins at Safe Harbor Race Weekend in Newport, RI. How have the modifications changed her handling on the racecourse?
BH: Although I never got to sail her as Goshawk (as she was born), the difference in performance numbers ‘on paper’ and on-water is dramatic. Design wise, the new keel & rudder really seemed to bring the boat to life and we were impressed with how balanced she was in all conditions. In the systems & hardware category, one of the most critical upgrades we made was the installation of a fully custom hydraulics system. This new system allowed us to turn the corners much faster than would’ve been possible with the original Harken system. Andrew also did a great job in designing an efficient deck layout for all the sheet leads, blocks, clutches, etc. Finally, Tony Rey of Doyle Sails got us some new rags which of course bring it all together. We started with a fairly light sail inventory (one, jib, one kite) since we planned on a new rig at some point, and this year we’ll be adding a few more to that lineup. I think the whole crew was pretty happy with the shape and performance of the sails, an I think the black-on-black made for some striking photos.
How have the modifications changed your (and the crews) relationship with the boat?
BH: I think I can safely speak for Andrew [on-board boat manager], Kirsty [captain], myself, and for the owners in saying that we’ve all fallen in lust with this boat. She’s so stunningly beautiful that you almost forget how powerful of a weapon she is on a racecourse. We are really lucky that she landed in the hands of owners who are so passionate and qualified to treat the boat with the ongoing care and upgrades that she deserves, even despite some seriously expensive setbacks and surprises early on. In giving their crew (myself included) a blank slate, a healthy budget, and a long leash, they really got us excited and kept us excited about the project. It was extremely rewarding to look back during a race to see both owners sitting in a busy cockpit, hand on the wheel and big smiles on the face. I think everyone (some of the competitors included!?) is excited to see the boat back on the water next Summer.
SW: What are the future plans for Zemphira?
BH: We’ve just been given the greenlight to replace the spars, which were really the only components that were original to the boat – literally everything else onboard had been replaced or seriously modified during the past two winters. We have an Offshore Spars mast & boom on order, along with a set of EC6 carbon rigging. This is essentially ‘the last step’ (in my opinion) to fully turbo-charging the boat to her maximum potential. We’ll spend this Winter at Lyman Morse again, who have done a really great job all along and even managed to make it an enjoyable process for the crew and outside contractors involved. Big shout out and thank you to Lyman, Andrew, Kirsty, to all of our contractors, the race team, and to the owners for allowing us to have so much fun on such a cool platform. Oh – and thanks to Stephens Waring for taking on such an involved role throughout this whole process!
Read More about Zemphira’s Major Renovation
Local Shields Fleet 9 and the Ida Lewis Yacht Club hosted the 58th Shields National Championship just a few weeks ago on Sept. 7-10.
The 30-foot Shields design sloop may be 60-year-old technology, but it has become the hottest keelboat fleet on Narragansett Bay.
Wellington Yacht’s Managing Director, Ted Hood, and a few of his college sailing buddies have been racing together in the Newport Shields class for almost 20 years. They managed to finish second at this years Shield Nationals – just one point out of first. “It was a very competitive 34 boat fleet sprinkled with several pro sailors affording little margin for error. It was great to be sailing outside the bay in some larger waves”.
This Little Harbor yacht, WILD THING, immediately captures attention with its spinnaker emblazoned by the iconic cartoon monster from Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. This classic sailing yacht perfectly embodies the spirit of adventure and creating lasting memories with family and friends. For over twenty years, WILD THING has been much more than a vessel—it’s been a cherished family yacht where three daughters were raised and grandchildren have joined in the journey.
Primarily cruising the US East Coast and the Caribbean, with memorable voyages throughout Europe, this Little Harbor yacht offers exceptional sailing performance, timeless design, and spacious accommodations perfect for multi-generational family adventures. Known for its durability and craftsmanship, WILD THING has provided a safe and comfortable platform for both seasoned sailors and newcomers alike.
Whether exploring pristine anchorages or enjoying lively coastal harbors, WILD THING continues to be a beloved yacht that brings together family, friends, and a shared passion for the sea.
Contact Wellington Yacht Partners for your next adventure aboard a classic sailing yacht like WILD THING.
