Herreshoff Walrus Motorsailer Boats Review and Specs

Year: 1997  
Manufacturer: Vela Yacht Sales
Price: US$498,500  

---

This is the opportunity of a lifetime for the discerning sailor to own one of Hereshoff’s classics at a fraction of her replacement cost. This hull design is featured in Herreshoff’s classic book “Sensible Cruising Designs” and was certainly one of his personal favorites. Impeccably built by the highly regarded Canadian East Coast custom yard, Covey Island Boatworks, in 1997, “Sophia Isle” was completed to a level where she could be used as a Motoryacht. For those of you not already familiar with the quality of work coming out of this yard and the level of respect it has in the custom boatbuilding fraternity, we encourage you to visit their website and peruse. It is commonly recognised that when we sailors reach a certain “maturity,” we often migrate to the “sailor’s powerboat” – usually a really fine quality Trawler – type vessel. “Sophia Isle” represents an opportunity to have the advantages of a trawler AND a sailboat. Her all weather, comfortable Pilothouse, her massive displacement and large twin diesels allow her to operate as an efficient, maneuverable Trawler (cruising speed 8.5 Knots) while her ample, well set up and efficient rig allow her to be a very viable vessel under sail when the breeze is up and one wishes to experience the pure joy of sailing. In fact, with her hull and keel configuration and displacement, along with her sail plan, she should have a much more comfortable “motion in the ocean” than her Trawler counterpart – especially in beam seas!!  Also, if her skipper wished to use her for extended ocean cruising, she would absolutely be in her element. A few years ago she was purchased by her current owner and transported to the West Coast. “Sophia Isle” could not have been more fortunate with her “choice” of a new owner. Her new and current owner is an individual who along with appreciating the aesthetics and ageless beauty of this classic design, also had the means, knowledge and desire to move forward and complete her to the stunning motorsailer that she is today. “Sophia Isle” is the perfect marriage of tradition with modern state of the art sails and sail handling equipment that enables effortless and efficient sailing mode when desired. Two examples of the fastidiousness of her current owner are 1) when her Hurricane heating system was installed, he also installed a defrost/blower system for all the Pilothouse windows – no fogging! – and 2) the rudder gudgeons demonstrated minor play so he had them rebushed. This is the kind of approach that has been taken with every aspect of fitting and finishing of “Sophia Isle.”   Because the relationship between “Sophia Isle” and her current owner was love at first sight, the logical question is “why is she for sale?” Sadly, life circumstances for the owner dictate that she be placed on the market and this was a decision that has been very difficult for him to make. I invite you to peruse her many photographs and her Full Specs to get a sense of what this vessel truly represents. However, as with any vessel of this quality, she has to be seen to be appreciated.   SIGNIFICANT PRICE REDUCTION AS OF FEBRUARY 22ND, 2011

---

Fuel  Hull Material  Beam  Max Draft  Fuel Capacity  Length at Waterline  Length Overall  Holding Tank Size  Water Capacity  Number of Engines

Diesel Composite 13 ft 10 in 5 ft 400 gal 43 ft 48 ft 92 gal 344 gal 1

---

Contact Information

Phone: Fax

(250) 415-2139 (250) 595-1929

Please Add a comment before the calling of Herreshoff Boats, we will inform your mail address to the owner of the boats. They will reach you by email or phone.