GWYLAN
L. Francis Herreshoff H-28 Ketch
Just two owners in 47 years.
Professionally maintained by Cutts and Case in Oxford, Maryland for the last 11 years.
Frequent exhibit boat at annual Sultana Downrigging Weekend in Chestertown since 2012.
“Simplicity afloat is the surest guarantee of happiness.”
– L. Francis Herreshoff
One of LFH’s most graceful designs, Gwylan is ready to begin turning heads in new harbors starting with the 2024 season.
LOA 28’
Sparred length: 34’
LWL 23’
Beam 8’9”
Draft 3’6”
Sail area: 343 s.f.
w/genoa approx. 546 s.f.
Built 1976 by McKie (Nick) Roth, Westport, Maine
White cedar over white oak, mahogany brightwork, bronze fastened, lead keel.
Reinforced 1998 with Cutts & Case's patented method which laces the planking below the waterline with thin Kevlar cord, resulting in an exceptionally safe and strong hull. No cracks in seams or planks in 26 seasons underway. See WoodenBoat #78. No known rot.
Original Volvo-Penta MD7A diesel is well cared for, runs beautifully.
Sails made by the legendary Stuart Hopkins at Dabbler Sails, who crafted them from Dacron to look like vintage cotton: half-width panels (18") sewn with brown thread to catch the eye (and the camera), both jibs mitered to complete the vintage appearance. Sails are well maintained: main, mizzen, genoa, staysail. Includes a masthead drifter. Previous suit of sails are usable and are included.
Price $25,000, negotiable for a good home.
Ideal buyer has the skills and time to self-maintain or
the availability of a competent yard.
You'll smile every time you look at her!
I have for 27 seasons.
She's now at Cutts & Case Shipyard in Oxford, Maryland, hauled for the season, stored indoors, among the many other beautiful boats in this classic yard.
Gallery
Interior
Authenticity
Gwylan closely follows LFH’s original design from the December, 1942 issue of the magazine The Rudder except for the welcome addition of a short bowsprit and removable jibstay to allow setting a big genoa in lighter air. It also is a handy place for the 25 lb. CQR anchor, which allows me to comfortably cruise singlehanded several hundred miles a year on the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River.
The article was reprinted later in Herreshoff’s Sensible Cruising Designs (still available)
L. Francis Herreshoff’s biographer, Roger C. Taylor, describes the development of the H-28 in his Volume II and he used two pictures of Gwylan in his excerpt article in Woodenboat No. 206.
Author Roger Taylor on board Gwylan at Chestertown during Downrigging Weekend, 2016.
Gwylan’s first owner was a fascinating man, Capt. John Cadwalader, USN. In addition to being a lover of the sea, he was a professor of Shakespeare and a namesake descendent of one of George Washington’s generals in the American Revolution. The name Gwylan is the Welsh word for “seagull”.
She's sweet and true - prettiest boat in the harbor.