62' Nigel Irens schooner Maggie B completes 'exemplary' circumnavigation

Schooner Maggie B, built by Covey Island in 2006, will complete the circumnavigation for which she was built with a triumphant return to the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta in April.

The 62' "fusion schooner" is currently sailing north along the Brazil coast.

Maggie B won several trophies at the 2006 Antigua Classic, before circling the globe at a fast sailing pace that routinely included frequent daily runs over 200 nautical miles!

At this year's Antigua Classic, a reception in honour of Maggie B and her captain/owner, Frank Blair of Chicago, will be hosted by Covey Island Boatworks (represented by John Steele); Nigel Irens Design (Nigel Irens), North Sails (Sandy MacMillian) and GMT.

The reception, open to captains and crews, will take place on the dock after Saturday's race (April 19).

The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta hosts between 50 and 60 yachts every year and enjoys a wonderful variety of competitors including traditional craft from the islands, classic ketches, sloops, schooners, and yawls making the bulk of the fleet, together with the stunningly beautiful Spirit of Tradition yachts, J Class yachts, and Tall Ships.

The bow of a local fishing boat seen from the Maggie B in Uruguay







You can follow the adventures of Maggie B through the Maggie B website.

Refit of 38' Commercial Vessel to a Yacht Reaches Final Stages

The transformation of 38' Spencer Lincoln commercial vessel Orion into a lobsteryacht is nearing completion. Painting is underway and the engine is installed. Ahead lie the installation of systems and the steps necessary for CE [European] certification.

The vessel was built by Covey Island in 1984 and operated in the Bay of Fundy fishery for more than twenty years.

The new owners are an Irish couple whose long-range plan is coastal jaunts off the west coast of Ireland. However, now that they've seen Nova Scotia, they have decided to use their new vessel cruising these shores before shipping it over to Ireland.

In-progress construction images are posted weekly on our website.
Orion construction

57' L. Francis Herreshoff "Tioga" ketch Elemiah

The refit of 57' Herreshoff Tioga ketch Elemiah continues at the yard. Recent developments include completion of modifications to the aft and master staterooms ( pictured above ) and installation of a CE-approved diesel engine (Perkins M-92). The refit also includes a new diesel-powered electric generator, a switch to 220v shore power, electronics, canvas work, and other interior modifications.

Elemiah was built by Covey Island Boatworks in 2002 (and originally launched as "Elsie"). Her new owners are a couple from the United Kingdom, who plan to sail her across the Atlantic via the Azores, to the U.K. and then on to Croatia where she will be based.

You can follow the progress of the Elemiah refit by visiting the Elemiah construction page, where new images are usually added every Thursday afternoon.