2004 ALDEN MALABAR II

Description: Alden Schooner ~ Malabar II ~ Very unique opportunity

Every once in a while, you stumble across a classic yacht, so stunning in her lines, that it stops you in your tracks. ‘Decatur’ is such a yacht! An absolute head turner in every respect.

Decatur is a Malabar II, designed in 1922 (101 years ago) by John G. Alden. The original Malabar II was built in 1922 by Charles A. Morse & Son in Thomaston, Maine. The famous Malabar yachts were all designed by, built for, owned and raced by John G Alden. Malabar II was the second in a series of ten schooners that Alden designed for himself.

Few rigs charm the hearts of sailors as much as schooners and Alden quickly established a reputation as a leading designer in that class. It’s true to say, that any time a group of sailors are huddled around a bar talking about classic schooners, the name Alden will certainly be mentioned.

The striking lines of the Malabar II also caught the eye of some big Hollywood producers and a Malabar II featured heavily in the movie ‘Message in a Bottle’, staring Kevin Costner and Robin Wright-Penn.

Alden’s design brief for the Malabar II was for a yacht that could stay at sea in almost any weather, and yet would not be too much to handle alone. To achieve the later, all of the sails are self-tending while tacking and drop easily into lazy jacks. The foremast is stepped well forward to keep the jib small enough to handle comfortably. John Alden noted that Malabar II would beat to weather under foresail alone and would “move along well in light weather. “ It was the efficiency of this rig, in combination with the carefully worked out lines, that made Malabar II unique.

The name Decatur is a tribute to Stephen Decatur a famous American naval officer and Commodore, born in 1779, his career was bought to an early end when he was killed in a duel with Commodore James Baron in 1820.

Decatur was built by master shipwright Keith Allen with the assistance of his daughter Bernadette Hedger. The hull is carvel planked and constructed from highly prised Huon Pine that is copper fastened and caulked with Oakum and cotton, with Scented Maple and Gympie Messmate steamed ribs and sawn frames of New Guinea Rosewood. The decks are White Beach over two layers of plywood glassed with Dynal. The keel is solid and very durable quarter sawn spotted gum. The masts are Silver Durgong and the gaffs and booms are Oregon. The builders had a meticulous eye for detail that is evident in the selection of fine timbers, bronze hardware, wooden blocks and traditional rigging that is all in keeping with a classic design of this era. The build quality is very impressive, and she has been well maintained by her current custodian.

Decatur is a true celebration of traditional wooden boat building at its finest. The experience of being onboard gives you the feeling that you have travelled back in maritime history.

Stepping down the companionway you are greeted by an interior that is oozing with charm from a bygone era. The saloon is compact and very cozy with two large settees on either side of a fold out dining table. The diesel heater is a nice touch, and you can imagine yourself relaxing with a good book and your favourite glass of red on a cold winter’s night. The timber work is stunning and incorporates numerous exotic species including Papua New Guinea Rosewood, Huon Pine, Spur Mahogany, White Beach and Queensland Maple.

The master cabin is in the forepeak with twin single berths. Again, the timber work and detail in this cabin leaves you speechless. It is something special. The settees in the saloon both have lee cloths and make great sea berths while underway. There is an additional single quarter berth on the starboard side.

The galley is simple and functional. There is a very high-quality Taylors paraffin stove and oven. These are hand built in England and sell in Australia for a staggering RRP$16,000. The stove has a large paraffin tank that you pressurise with a bicycle pump. Adjacent to the galley on the starboard side is a top loading 12v refrigerator.

Decatur is powered with a reliable 40hp Yanmar diesel engine with only 1145hr on the clock. She is shaft driven with a three blade fixed prop.

To commission a master boat builder, IF you could find one with the traditional skills to build a boat the same as Decatur, would cost North of $750,000. So, at a fraction of the replacement cost, Decatur not only represents great value for money, but also a very unique opportunity that comes around once in a blue moon.