Open to all reasonable Offers!
Introducing Janet A, a 1959 Geerd Hendel 35' Mahogany on Oak with Teak Raised-Deck Cutter. This classic vessel, originally Lady Joan, was built by the Morse Boatbuilding Co. of Thomaston, Maine, and even featured in WoodenBoat Magazine's November/December 2023 issue in the Save a Classic column.
Today, Janet A is the culmination of years of meticulous restoration, making her strong, seaworthy, and ready for her final preparations before launching. She is ideally suited for long-distance cruising, coastal sailing, or turning heads as a striking daysailer.
Her design by the 20th-century yacht designer, Geerd Hendel, combined with robust scantlings, heavy displacement, and a full keel, ensures safe sailing capabilities. The raised-deck design provides a remarkably spacious interior for a boat of her size, boasting generous headroom, sleeping accommodations for up to four, a well-appointed galley, an enclosed head, and ample storage.
Whether your dream is to explore the New England coast, navigate the islands of the Bahamas, or showcase a true classic at a wooden boat festival, Janet A can make it a reality.
Interior Layout
The interior joinery has been renewed with care, preserving the warmth of traditional wood finishes.
Forward cabin with comfortable v-berth
Enclosed head to port with a hanging locker to starboard
Main salon with port and starboard settee berths
Navigation station to starboard, adjacent to companionway
Galley to port with gimbaled range, ice chest, and storage
Abundant cabinetry and lockers for provisions and gear
Restoration
When Janet A arrived in Ipswich, MA in 2002, she was in need of a complete rebuild. Over the course of her restoration, that later continued in Savannah, GA, every major structural component was addressed:
2002–2008 – Green’s Point Boatyard, Ipswich, MA
Dropped and refastened ballast keel
Replaced/reinforced stringer and shelf beams
Renewed deck beams as needed
Replaced or sistered multiple frames
Refastened entire hull with larger silicon-bronze screws
Replaced topside planking and hood ends where required
Installed new butt plates
Installed operable bronze portholes in place of original fixed lights
Installed redesigned butterfly skylight
Replaced stem
Replaced king plank, rebuilt foredeck
Repaired/reinstalled bowsprit and covering boards
Rebuilt chainplates with 2(2x1/4”) sandwiched bronze
Applied red lead to all new wood and hull interior
Installed new rudder with bronze hardware and extended shaft
Installed Dickinson fireplace heater
Rebuilt companionway bulkhead, hatch, and chain locker
Installed 144V DC electric auxiliary motor and wired new 12V main panel
Installed bonding circuit, replaced fore and aft bulwarks
2009 – Moved to Savannah, GA
Stored under cover; hull refinished (sides, top, bottom)
2010–2014
Installed galvanic isolator
Installed holding tank and pump-out system
Built deck boxes
Installed shore power with port and starboard access
Discovered rotted deadwood
2018 – Yacht Management of Savannah, GA
Replaced rotted deadwood
2019–2020 – Major Structural Upgrades
Replaced/spliced additional frames and rebuilt floors as needed
Installed new bronze floor bolts
Replaced wooden keel (first time) with laminated white oak keel
Replaced fore and aft deadwood
Installed new galvanized iron keel bolts
Remounted cast iron ballast keel
Replaced garboards and lower planking
Thoroughly prepped and refinished bottom
Installed new hanging knees
Rewired and refinished mast
Refinished bowsprit
Refastened, bunged teak deck
Extended cockpit coaming
Repaired stanchion
Repainted interior
Work Remaining
The heavy lifting is done. To complete Janet A for sailing, the next owner will need to:
Fully install galley (original gimbaled 3-burner stove included)
Complete fresh water storage and distribution
Finish waste plumbing
Complete ceiling installation
Finish 120VAC and 12VDC distribution from main panels
Reinstall 144V DC battery bank
Install sails, spars and rigging (all rigging, standing and running, as well as spare cordage, is in storage - plus many other spare parts are in storage such as most of the cast bronze fittings, wooden blocks etc.)
The work has been done with the goal of preserving her authenticity while ensuring strength, with only minor finish work and rig setup left before launch.
Hear it from the Experts
“It is clear from the photos that you have done an enormous job in bringing Janet A back.” – James Curry, Marine Surveyor (Marine Surveyor since 1982, SAMS member since 1987, Major wood and fiberglass repair background since 1964), who surveyed the boat for the current owners in 2002 commented on her current condition.
“I keep thinking that Janet A might be lucky enough to return to her midcoast Maine birthplace, which has become the center for building and caring for wooden boats.” – Maynard Bray, Wooden Boat technical editor.
“She is beautiful and it looks like you have done some great work bringing her back to shape.” -- Lance Buchanan, Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, Thomaston ME.
“Janet A certainly is a beautiful boat and it looks like you guys have done a good deal of work.” – Matt Graham, Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, Thomaston ME
“The Janet A looks like she has been well cared for and ready for the next phase, and eventually to splash again.” – Mike Fix, American Yacht Restoration, Mangonia Park, FL
Why is Janet A Special
Pedigree: Designed by Geerd Hendel, built by Morse—both names synonymous with quality.
Proportions: Elegant sheer, and raised-deck lines that turn heads in any harbor.
Strength: Heavy displacement, full keel, and robust scantlings make her a safe offshore cruiser.
Comfort: Raised deck provides remarkable cabin volume and headroom for a yacht her length.
Rarity: Few examples of Hendel’s raised-deck cutters survive—especially in such restored condition.
Materials: Quality materials such as mahogany on oak interior, teak deck, silicon bronze fastened and refastened, refurbished cast iron keel refastened and hung on new laminated white oak wood keel with 1” galvanized steel. All fittings are cast bronze.
Specifications
Designer: Geerd Hendel
Builder: Morse Boatbuilding Co., Thomaston, ME – 1959
Type: Raised-deck cutter, full keel
Length Overall: 35’
Length at Waterline: 28’
Beam: 10’6”
Draft: 6’
Displacement: ~19,500 lbs
Sail Area: Approx. 600 sq ft
Electric Engine: Solomon Industries, Year 2006, Model ST 37 Electric
Tankage: 100 gal. water in two uninstalled bladders, and 12 gal. waste in a mostly installed plastic tank
Location: Savannah, Georgia
