Boats for Sale
The IYRS boat collection is unique. Unlike many institutions which restore and then
display significant historic vessels, IYRS uses the boats it restores. The old adage that "ships and men rot in port" is still true. Static museum exhibits often deteriorate faster than vessels which are used and appreciated for what they are. Unless you actually sail or work a vessel, you cannot learn as much from it or gain a total appreciation for its design, performance or general use characteristics. For this reason, IYRS is proud to use restored vessels—for enjoyment, education and to deliver an on-water historic experience. “Preservation through use,” is the institution’s philosophy, as exhibited at our annual Graduation and Launch Day ceremonies in which students launch and sail or operate their commissioned restorations.
We sell restored boats so that they can be used and cherished by others. Funds raised from the sale of vessels are put back into the school programs.
If you are unable to visit IYRS to view our boats, learn more about the current restoration projects, including the schooner yacht Coronet, on this website. All the boats at IYRS, including those awaiting restoration, have been donated to the school.
If you are interested in any of the following, please contact us at 401-848-5777:
Restored Boats for Sale
Beetle Cats®
$11,500
A number of fully restored Beetle Catsare are available for delivery now at a great price, complete with sails, beautiful bronze hardware and in appropriate colors. The Beetle Company began building these charming catboats in 1921. In 1946, the Concordia Company purchased the molds from John Beetle and continued to build the boats. Today, Beetle, Inc. carries on building them in traditional wood construction. More than 3,000 have been launched. The Beetle Cat is the foundation of the first year of the IYRS Boat Building and Restoration program. LOA: 12' 4"; Beam: 6'. Email tnathan@iyrs.org or 401-848-5777, ext 211.
Classic Herreshoff 12 ½ 
Underwrite & Own a Little History
Help restore and then own one of the most coveted little family yachts, an original Herreshoff 12 ½. Second year students in the Boatbuilding & Restoration Program will restore two of these fine yachts in the 2009-2010 academic year. To be launched fully restored with new sails in early June 2010. For pricing and more information, please contact Terry Nathan at tnathan@iyrs.org or Clark Poston at clark@iyrs.org.
Open Motor Launch
$30,000 - Please contact Terry Nathan for more infomation
Year: Late 1920s/Early 1930s
Designer: Unknown
Builder: Unknown
LOA: 18’
Beam: 4’ 8”
This intriguing little open motor boat is a classically typical harbor launch. Her construction is cedar on oak with mahogany trim. She was restored by a team of second-year students in the IYRS restoration program and includes a new 30 hp Yanmar diesel engine.
S&S 6-Meter CHEROKEE, Design #10
New build for sale; Price: $175,000 SOLD!
Olin Stephen’s esteemed career as the greatest living yacht designer of our time was all started with the design of a 6-meter racing yacht that he was able to persuade Yachting magazine to publish in January of 1928. This design ultimately led to his association with the broker Drake Sparkman and the formation of Sparkman & Stephens.
The 6-meter class was very active in Long Island Sound during the early 1930s. In the early years a number of 6-meter racing yachts were designed by the firm. A total of 39 were designed in all. Two, in particular, were stand-outs: JILL and CHEROKEE (1930).
The Museum of Yachting is pleased to announce that as part of an exhibit on the history of S&S, the building of a new CHEROKEE. The yacht is being built from plans provided by S&S and will be launched in time to compete in the 6-meter World Cup—also being held in Newport. Construction management is courtesy of Boothbay Harbor Shipyard of Maine.
This new build will rigorously conform to historic design and construction standards necessary to compete in the 2009 Worlds. This design is sanctioned by the 6-meter Association of North America as a replica. Only one copy of any given design is allowed and only once it can be proved that the original yacht is no longer in existence. This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of yachting history.
Offers of underwriting and purchase are being accepted. $160,000: includes hardware, rigging, and three sails. If you are interested, please contact Terry Nathan at
tnathan@iyrs.org or by phone at 401-848-5777 x211.
Principle Characteristics
37’3” LOA
23’4” DWL
6’5” Beam
5’5” Draft
455 Sq. ft. sail area