NARWHAL is an iconic 56 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 ably 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.
NARWHAL has a beautiful Aristo Blue hull with a wide white shear stripe, matching single white boot stripe and red bottom. Her cabin top and decks are painted Moondust non-skid with gloss white waterways; cabin house sides with teak eyebrows, trim, handrails, toe rails and cockpit helm seating are in varnished bright teak. Her spars are painted to match the non-skid decks, and her canvas is off-white.
Below decks is a world unto itself: Comfortable, traditional and seaman-like with plenty of light and ventilation, and storage befitting a proper cruising yacht. Mahogany joinery with raised-panel bulkheads and hull ceilings painted white in the Herreshoff style frame her living quarters beautifully.
NARWHAL has cruised both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, but in recent times has been U.S. east coast-based. In the last seven years, she has seen only seasonal use in New England, with indoor heated storage the norm, and professional service by Niemec Marine of New Bedford and The Concordia Company of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
NARWHAL has benefited from extensive refitting during her present ownership — primarily in 2013/2014 — with details to be found in the listing below, including a new Yanmar diesel, refrigeration, A/C and a completely new electrical system with all new wiring, chargers etc. She is a well-found yacht and a must-see for anyone seriously considering a Cherubini Schooner. There is good reason why this builder and design were included in Ferenc Mate’s seminal work “The World’s Greatest Sailboats.” Come see for yourself! We invite your inspection.
Professional Video available.
ACCOMMODATIONS OVERVIEW (Starting Forward)
Large single-berth cabin forward with overhead hatch for light and ventilation, which is large enough to pass sails through. Next aft to port is an enclosed head with en-suite shower. A bulkhead and door are aft and provide privacy for the head and cabin forward of the mast.
Aft of the mast is the spacious salon which features a lovely mahogany table (center storage and matching lift-outs) with folding leaves, and a shallow U-shaped settee to port. A snug offshore-ready pilot berth is outboard to port, with its own non-opening hull port for light and a view. Across from the table to starboard is a straight settee that doubles as an additional sea berth with lee cloth. Outboard and above there is an open shelf with another hull port, with hull staving in a lighter wood that takes advantage of the full beam of the yacht and adds a nice contrast to the darker joinery. Bronze plaques from the Dunhill San Fernando Race in 1995 and the South China Sea Race in 1996 attest to the true globetrotting nature of this capable design and the miles NARWHAL cruised in her “early teens”!
There is a large butterfly hatch overhead in the salon; numerous custom Cherubini-designed and -built opening ports, and raised-panel bulkheads painted satin white with exquisite mahogany and teak joinery in the form of deck beams. Substantial knees, handholds, fiddles, cabinetry and ceiling trim offset the white panels on the overhead, lockers and countertops, all in the Herreshoff style. The soles throughout the boat are of teak and holly and varnished bright.
The U-shaped galley is aft to port, and while still a part of the salon, is offset by overhead custom cabinetry. Large undercounter refrigerated iceboxes are located forward, with beautiful inset tilework depicting the yacht. The sea-going stove and oven are located outboard and the twin sinks are aft. There is plenty of counter space and storage in this working galley.
Across from the galley to starboard is another huge insulated icebox with shelf on top. A good-sized hanging locker is just forward, also with storage on top and large shelf above.
Moving aft from the galley and salon, a passageway leads by the master head with separate stall shower to starboard, and through a doorway into the aft cabin and nav area, with proper forward-facing nav table and chair on a swivel.
The aft cabin features a large double berth offset to port. This is a lovely space with hull staving and an additional hull port, a wrap-around shelf at the head of the berth and bronze ocean Frigast reading lamps. Inboard of the berth is a large counter top for all manner of storage. The cabinetry space forward of the berth allows for built-in drawers and double-fronted hanging lockers behind. There is another large counter, this one in solid mahogany. All of the lockers throughout the yacht have cane doors with wood trim for ventilation and a classic look. There is a small settee at the forward end of the cabin with large mirror mounted on the bulkhead. The aft cabin may be closed off from the rest of the boat with bi-fold raised-panel doors. Ventilation and light are provided by opening ports in the deckhouse. There is a ceiling-mounted compass above the berth, overhead lights and solid handholds, which double as gutters along the cabin trunk base here and throughout the yacht, sculpted to be comfortable to grip.
The navigation station is to starboard with a full complement of updated electronics. This is a snug spot for the navigator, situated next to the companionway leading up to the cockpit.
Aft of the nav station a door opens into a passageway leading aft into the machinery space and engine room, with access from a large hatch in the cockpit as well. There is lots of useful storage built-in outboard.
ACCOMMODATIONS DETAILS and TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS
FORWARD STATEROOM
Oversized single berth
Hanging locker with shelf above, drawer and pull-down stowage with shelf above, with fiddle
Large storage locker to port; big enough for sails
Shelf across front and starboard hull side; reading lamp and (2) overhead lights
Hella 12v fan; AC control; opening port; large overhead hatch
110v outlets
FORWARD HEAD
Opening port
Tile sole and tile backsplash
Teak shower drain, and sump with electric pump-out
Bronze towel racks
Pressure water hot and cold with fitting for deck shower; spigot for manual pump as backup; soap spigot
Ample lockers and storage
Skipper manual head plumbed with fresh water; Y-valve; custom holding tank; Sealand vent filter
SALON
Large butterfly hatch
Royal blue synthetic leather cushions with matching pillows
Table with folding leaves to seat six with center storage lockers
Port and Starboard settees with storage beneath and outboard
Port and Starboard Mahogany lockers with shelf tops; caned lockers outboard and above
Brass decorative mounts for (2) gimballed lanterns on forward bulkhead
Bulkhead-mounted stereo speakers
Wood staving on hull sides
Hanging wet locker starboard aft of settee
GALLEY
Specially-designed pull-out spice cabinet
Undercounter refrigerated ice boxes; freezer outboard with (2) cold plates; reefer inboard with single stainless cold plate and additional insulated ice box across to starboard
Princess Gourmet II 3-burner propane stove with oven
Bronze protective sheet under cabinetry above stove
Trash bin under counter, with lid
Twin deep stainless sinks
Opening hatch and opening port
LED undercabinet lighting for countertops (new, fall 2019)
Ample drawers and lockers
Seagull Pure Water tap for filtered drinking water
Freshwater tap with foot pump
Jabsco 82500 5 gpm house fresh water pump
Jabsco 82500 5 gpm salt water pump for washdown on bow
Rule sink drain pump
Horizontal (wine) bottle storage in cabinet hung from overhead
Locker doors: mahogany joinery with cane panels and wood dowel catches
MASTER STATEROOM
(2) Hanging wardrobes
Set of drawers
Settee
Henderson manual bilge pump
Custom mattress (new, 2014)
AC vent
Rotary battery switches side of berth; emergency parallel
Chart light on long arm; swivel reading lamp; 110v outlets
Hella 12v 2-speed fan
AC control
Wempe chronometer
Danforth gimbaled compass, mounted on overhead above foot of berth
MASTER HEAD
White tile soles
Separate shower with teak bench seat; opening port; teak drain grate and sump pump; storage cabinet outboard
Stainless sink with hot and cold taps; soap dispenser and blue tile backsplash
Overhead hatch
Raritan Elegance electric head with push button controls; salt or fresh water
Ample lockers beneath sink and outboard
110v GFCI outlets
NAVIGATION STATION AND MACHINERY ROOM
Built-in navigation station with L-shaped table and pull-out drawer
Built-in shelf with fiddle below
Swing-out seat
REFIT (2013-2015)
As referenced earlier in the listing, NARWHAL underwent an extensive $300,000 refit in 2013/14 with particular emphasis on all mechanical and electrical systems, which were removed from the vessel. Virtually all of the mechanical and electrical systems, including all new electronics (excluding the generator which was replaced in 2019), were replaced new at that time. The handful of items that were not replaced new, such as the bow thruster, were rebuilt or refurbished as needed. Follows is a partial list of highlights:
Masts re-wired with new: radar mount, lights, windex, wind instruments, lighting protection and complete check of all fittings, stainless mast steps reconditioned
Watermaker: entire system replaced new in 2013 (currently not in service)
Refrigeration/freezer: all new Sea Frost system, including modifications to ice boxes and addition of divider; plumbing, dryers etc.
Electrical complete re-design: all new wiring both 12v/24v; new electrical panels, breakers, switches, batteries and battery boxes, grounding and bonding, copper strapping, DynaPlate, bow thruster panel, chargers, inverter, outlets, battery monitor
All pumps replaced new: shower drain, bilge (manual and electric), AC, house water, watermaker, washdown, macerator, sink drain etc.
Many new light fixtures, some LED
Mechanical new items: engine, engine beds, cutlass bearing, CV shaft, thrust bearing, Aqua Drive, FRP exhaust tube, custom exhaust riser, upgraded exhaust hose to 3”, vented loops, modified muffler design, engine and Gen thru hull strainers, sea strainers, max prop rebuilt, tank monitors, water heater, Accumulator tank, oil change system, washdown pump, Soundown insulation
Engine room painted
All new thru-hulls and seacocks
Black water re-design included new custom poly holding tank (approx. 80 gallons) amidships to service both heads, all new plumbing, new macerator pump, new salt water pump for aft head
Raritan Elegance electric head aft
(2) Air conditioners, ducting, plumbing
Bow thruster rebuilt; new motors, batteries, 24v charger, Lexan cover
New Worley custom mattress aft; all new interior cushions and upholstery
New Princess LPG stove/oven
Electronics refit including GPS, HD radar, autopilot, sailing instruments, stereo
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
All batteries new 2013: house bank of (6) 8D 12v AGM batteries under aft berth, 105 Ah each for total of 630 amp hours
Vetus bow thruster; joystick below helm with stainless guard
Racor model 75-500 dual fuel filters with crossover valve and vacuum gauge
Fuel tank (165 gallon) FRP integral beneath main engine
Three-blade Max Prop
Flexible prop shaft link to absorb vibration
Dometic Marine Air AC/reverse-cycle heat aft (8,000 BTU) with “Smartstarter”, vented to nav station and aft cabin
AC forward (16,000 BTU), vented to starboard salon and forward cabin
Watermaker: Newport 400 MKII 17-gph (new, 2013/14) (currently not in service)
Force 10 stainless water heater (16 gallon), 110v element plus engine heating
Automatic fire extinguisher in engine room: Fireboy, with display at helm
Reverso oil change system: engine and generator
CONSTRUCTION
The hull and cockpit hand laid fiberglass with Vinylester Resin. The decks and cabin house are wood and fiberglass; painted nonskid on top, solid teak sides and eyebrow; teak handrails; teak companionway hatch hood. Painted non-skid decks with high-gloss painted waterways in white. All bulkheads are glassed into the hull and deck on both sides for maximum strength.
TANKAGE
Fiberglass fuel tank on centerline aft beneath engine and cockpit (167 gallons)
(2) Water tanks; aluminum (80 gallons apiece)
Custom holding tank amidships (approx. 80 gallons)
(2) Propane, aluminum (TW 10; WC 23.8; DT 4.0)
DECK HARDWARE AND EQUIPMENT
CQR 60# plow anchor on roller with all-chain rode on teak and bronze bow sprit with stainless bow pulpit. 40# plow on port roller with approx. 30’ chain to braided rope rode
Dual capstan upright windlass
Anchor lockers with flush foredeck hatches each side of windlass
Fisherman storm anchor; stowed securely on foredeck in sections along bulwarks
Dorade vent and deck prism for aft head
Matching dorade vents with removable round stainless cowls just aft of foremast (1) for forward cabin, (1) for salon
Nicro Fico solar vent for aft shower
Teak hand rails on cabin top
Mooring lines
Fenders
(2) Decorative dolphins on bulwarks
Stanchions and lifelines: Stainless tube bow pulpit on bowsprit; solid stainless stanchions. Dyform stainless double life lines
Hatches: Custom main salon teak butterfly hatch; galley, head and foredeck opening hatches
Swim ladder: stainless with teak steps at port stanchion gate
COCKPIT
Steering area is separated by partial dividers with wide teak coaming boards on top, with Lewmar 52 self-tailing winches, one each, port and stbd., within easy reach of the helm. Access is excellent under helm seat to quadrant (rudder stops were re-glassed in 2017) and autopilot ram. Dual-lever engine controls on pedestal. Large cockpit forward with wide and long seats, good for lying down. Wide, raised bridge deck across the front of the cockpit. Teak companionway is offset to starboard, with smoked Lexan hatch board.
Fold-down table, cockpit coamings, traditional spoked wheel, pedestal storage cubbies and helm bench seating (raised on center) are all varnished teak.
Stainless pedestal guard/handrail with NavPod attached
Chromed binnacle with six-sided glass cover for Danforth compass
Stainless safety rail, aft cockpit above coaming
Engine panel (primary)
Fireboy engine room extinguisher indicator below thruster control
Vetus bow thruster joystick control below wheel to starboard, with stainless guard
Secondary VHF port helm
Rod holder for trolling
Aluminum pedestal supports for sailing instrument and autopilot
Port cockpit storage locker
Propane locker forward cockpit on centerline
Stereo speakers
Large lazarette for storage
Dodger with stainless grab bar and large center-opening panel
Bimini above helm: (2) clear plastic windows with roll-up covers
Filler piece connects bimini to dodger
Starboard cockpit access to engine room
Bronze and teak gallows for boom, with grab handles built-in each corner
Cockpit cushions are Royal Blue Sunbrella
RIG and RIGGING
Aluminum double-spreader masts and booms, Awlgrip painted
Mainsail and foresail sheets both lead aft under dodger to winches in the cockpit
Foresail is self-tacking, with traveler control lines leading aft
Harken furling headstay reef line led aft to cockpit starboard winch
Braided polyester sheets and halyards, 1×19 stainless wire running backstays to braided line purchase system
Mast steps, stainless, mounted on keel
Harken main and foresail travelers; Schaeffer mainsheet and deck blocks; Merriman jib lead cars; Lewmar Spinlock line clutches; Antal line clutches on booms
Stainless tracks on toe rails: pair forward and second pair start amidship and extend all the way to the stern. Short track on deck inside shrouds
Chainplates: Stainless U-bolts bolted through deck to fabricated stainless angle irons bolted through hull to deck flange with overlapping inverted F.R.P. hanging knees glassed into hull sides
SAILS AND CANVAS
Mainsail (new, 2017): Doyle Stackpack with lazyjacks. Fully-battened with Tides Marine batten stainless slides
Hello! I'm Bob Marston. It looks like you are interested in purchasing a yacht. I can provide you with more information and specific details and would be delighted to help.
