1955 Classic Custom Full Keel Ketch

• Introducing the exquisite "Mary Lois," a stunning Custom Heavy Rigged Ketch that embodies the charm of classic maritime craftsmanship. Built in 1955, this elegant vessel features a full keel design, ensuring stability and a smooth sailing experience. With an overall length of 44.5 feet, it presents a graceful silhouette on the water, perfect for both leisurely cruising and adventurous voyages. The hull, crafted from high-quality wood, showcases a displacement shape that enhances its seaworthiness and aesthetic appeal. The meticulous attention to detail in its construction reflects the timeless beauty of antique boats, making it a true collector's gem. While the interior offers ample space for extended cruising or live aboard, the "Mary Lois" is ready to be transformed into your dream sailing retreat. This classic ketch is not just a boat; it's an invitation to explore the open waters with elegance and style. Experience the allure of sailing history with the "Mary Lois."
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• Great liveaboard and passage maker
• Very stout construction
• Upgraded continuously
• Cummins 60 hp diesel engine
• Diesel-fired cabin heater
• Frigo Boat refrigeration
• Sails recently replaced
• New standing rigging
• Full keel design
• Marine survey available
• Dinghy davits
• Tiller steering
• Designed & built by Norwegian Bjorn Egeli
• Sleeps 4 to 6
• Range & oven
• Pressure water
• Enclosed marine head
• Updated by fine traditional boat builders
• Good liveaboard vessel for sailors on a budget
• Displacement = 40,000 lbs or 20 tons
• Stainless keel shoe from stem to rudder

The vessel is a 44’ ketch-rigged traditional sailboat constructed of wood plank on frame materials in accordance with generally accepted boat building practices for its age, size and class.  The vessel is reported by the owner to have been built by his father in 1955 in Southern Maryland.  The hull and deck structure construction is very robust for a vessel of this length and is more consistent with traditional working schooner scantlings, materials and methods than with yacht construction.  However, the interior is finished in a traditional yacht-like fashion. The general condition of the vessel is above average for its age, size and class.  Above average attention appears to have been paid to routine maintenance.  The vessel has had significant recent repair and renewal of its hull and deck structures in the recent past, and the interior appears to be mostly new, including the cushions.  All of the AC & DC electrical systems have been recently renewed by a certified marine electrician to current ABYC Standards.  The galley stove has not yet been installed. The masts and rigging have recently been renewed under the direction of John Swain of Swain Boatbuilders who is a noted traditional sailing vessel shipwright.  The recent hull repairs were accomplished by Alan Cady who is a local traditional watercraft boat builder.   The deck structures, including the framing and interior, were completed by Joe Reid of Mast & Mallet Boatworks, who is another traditional vessel boat builder.  The quality of the modifications and repairs to the vessel appears to have been accomplished to a high standard.

The hull is constructed of wood plank on frame materials in accordance with generally accepted boat building practices.  The wooden planks are reported to be Southern Yellow Pine.  The plank butt joints below the waterline, and some above the waterline, have recently been replaced with scarf joints and butt blocks.  The planking was found to be tight and well caulked.  

Deck Specifics The decks and superstructure are constructed of various types of wood on solid and laminated wooden beams and carlins.  There has been a significant amount of recent renewal of deck and superstructure framing and decking.  Where inspection was possible, no damage or significant deterioration was found.  

Structural Reinforcements The hull’s structural members are robust dimensions of white oak. The hull framing is laminated in two or three layers, depending on location.  The keel, stem, stern post and other primary structural members are solid white oak.  Some of the athwartship floor timbers in the bilges have been sistered with galvanized steel plate floors. Where inspected, no signs of damage, significant deterioration, or failure of reinforcements were found.  However, there is a frame in the port aft bilges that is separated between its two layers where a fastener passes through.  It has likely been like this for a long time. The hull planking is reported to be fastened to the frames with galvanized steel screw fasteners, which were installed in addition to the original steel boat nails.  The fasteners below the waterline are reported by the owner to have been replaced within the past few years.  Galvanized steel and some stainless steel bolts and screws are used throughout the interior and deck structures. 

 Hull & Deck Appendages An external lead shoe is fastened to the wooden keel, and lead bulb additions have been fastened to the forward sides of the shoe.  No signs of damage, hard groundings or movement of the ballast were found.  Lead pigs are installed in the bilges as inside ballast.  The lead pigs in the center bilges are secured with metal straps, although the pigs in the aft bilges are not. A wooden bowsprit and wooden dinghy davits are fitted at the bow and stern, respectively.

Bulwarks that are approximately 12” high surround the weather decks.  Lifelines above the bulwarks are supported by bronze pipe stanchions.  A welded pipe railing surrounds the aft end of the cockpit.  Wooden handrails are installed on the cabin trunk tops.   

 Cleats Wooden Samson posts are installed at the bow and stern.  Cast bronze mooring cleats integral with the hawse pipes appear to be securely fastened to the bulwarks. 

 Hatches Two varnished wooden deck hatches with plastic lenses are installed on the forward cabin trunk top and another is on the foredeck.  Sliding companionway hatches are installed on the main companionway and for the small aft sleeping cabin. 

Windows & Portlights Bronze opening portlights with tempered glass lenses are installed on the sides of the fore and aft cabin trunks.  The windows around the raised salon area are tempered glass in wooden frames. 

 Dock Lines & Fenders Nylon dock lines and inflatable vinyl fenders found aboard appear to be suitable for the size and class vessel. 

Ground Tackle A steel fisherman’s anchor with a nylon 3-strand rode stowed at the bow appears to be suitable for the size and class vessel. 

 Windlass A Victor #1 model manual anchor windlass is mounted on the foredeck.

A freshwater cooled Cummins 4-cylinder naturally aspirated diesel engine of approximately 60-hp is installed beneath the sole in the raised salon area.  The engine has signs of generally good periodic maintenance.  No signs of active fluid leaks were found. The wooden cabin sole panels need to be trimmed back slightly to prevent contact with the pulleys at the front of the engine, including the alternator.    Serial #             Op. Hours (none sighted)    458 indicated 

 Transmission A Borg Warner Velvet Drive marine transmission with reduction gears is coupled to the engine.   

 Engine Exhaust The exhaust consists of a cast iron manifold and seawater mixing elbow, double clamped rubber hoses and a waterlift muffler. 

Engine Controls A Morse single lever gear shift and throttle control on the starboard side of the cockpit is connected to the machinery with push-pull cables. 

 Engine Instruments An instrument panel with analog gauges is installed at the forward end of the cockpit. 

 Propeller Shaft A 1-1/4” diameter bronze propeller shaft is coupled to the transmission.   

 Propeller A 21” diameter 3-bladed bronze propeller with left hand rotation is fitted.  No damage or significant deterioration was noted. 

Shaft Strut & Bearing A rubber cutless bearing is installed in a bronze housing where the propeller shaft exits the aft end of the keel.  No excess play between the shaft and bearing was noted.

Shaft Glands (Stuffing Boxes) A bronze stuffing box is fitted to the propeller shaft log.  No signs of significant deterioration or excess leaking were found.

 Steering Systems A varnished wood tiller is coupled directly to the top of the rudder. 

 Rudders A large “barn door” wooden rudder is hung from the transom and keel using bronze pintles and gudgeons.  The rudder is reported by the owner to have been replaced within the past five years.  No damage or significant deterioration was noted. 

FUEL SYSTEMS CONDITION Fuel Tanks A welded aluminum fuel tank marked as 55-gallons capacity is installed in the bilges forward of the engine.  The tank is marked as having been renewed in 1998.  No signs of leaks or significant deterioration were found.

 Fuel Tanks (Cont’d) A small stainless steel cylinder tank is installed on a bulkhead on the port side of the forward cabin for fuel supply to the cabin heater. Fuel Tank Fill Deckplates & Hoses A stainless steel deckplate marked “Diesel” installed on the starboard side deck is connected to the fuel tank with rubber fuel hose marked “USCG Type A2”.

Fuel Tank Vents The fuel tank is vented overboard by a rubber fuel hose marked “USCG Type A1”. Appeared Serviceable Fuel Delivery Hoses & Piping Fuel is delivered to and from the engine with rubber fuel hoses marked “USCG Type A1”. 

Fuel Filters A Racor 200FG replaceable element fuel filter is installed at the starboard aft end of the engine compartment.  No leaks were noted.  The fuel visible in the filter’s settling bowl was clean. 

 Fuel Pumps A mechanical diaphragm fuel lift pump is installed on the propulsion engine.  A 12V DC fuel pump is installed on the port side of the forward cabin for fuel supply to the cabin heater’s day tank. Not Tested Fuel System Valves No shut-off valve is installed at the fuel supply hose connection to the fuel tank.  Although not required by standards due to the low level of the tank relative to the engine, it would be a good idea to add one. 

LPG (Propane) Systems No LPG systems are installed at this time. 

DC ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS CONDITION Batteries Four Trojan T-105 6V DC batteries joined in series and parallel for 12V DC house service and a 12V DC Interstate Group 31 batter are securely installed in wooden battery boxes in the bilges beneath the forward salon’s sole.  The positive terminals are covered with rubber boots.   

Wiring & Connections Stranded copper wiring appears to be installed in accordance with good boat building practices.   

 Overcurrent Protection Protection of DC circuits is provided by a circuit breaker panel in the raised salon area.  Additional protection is provided by remotely located fuses and by in-line fuses. Appeared Serviceable Battery Switches Two On-Off battery switches are installed on the DC service panel. 

 AC ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS CONDITION Wiring & Connections A 30-Amp 120V AC shore power system is fitted.  Copper wiring appears to be installed in accordance with good boat building practices

Protection of AC circuits is provided by a panel with a master breaker, reverse polarity indicator and branch circuit breakers located at the navigation station.  Outlets in the galley and head compartment are GFCI protected. 

Inverter A 2000-Watt Heart Interface Freedom Marine 20 inverter converter is installed in an electrical closet at the forward end of the raised salon area. 

NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTATION 

Note:  No lighted compass, VHF radio, GPS/plotter are installed at this time.  New owner should add this navigation equipment.  Consider a lift raft for offshore cruising as well.

SAILS:   Dacron sails by Meade A. Breeze Sailmaker are stowed in bags in the aft cabin.  The sails appear to be in excellent condition.. 

HISTORY & FUTURE:   Mary Lois was built by Bjorn Egeli who is a Norwegian-born portrait artist.  Egeli built the ketch in St. Mary's County, Maryland and milled his own lumber for the yacht.  Bjorn Egeli also designed the rugged ketch.  His son Cedric now owns the yacht and has had the ketch upgraded and refit by some of the best marine contractors in Maryland.

Mary Lois would be an excellent vessel for a maritime museum, environmental organization for teaching about the Chesapeake Bay. The vessel is also well suited for use by a waterfront hotel or resort for cocktail cruises and dinners afloat.  She is large enough to accommodate many guests or students.

 A recent marine survey put the market value at $60,000 US and the replacement value at $500,000.