$15,000 · 1966 K. Aage Nielsen / Paul Luke 40 - Classic Wooden Sailing Yacht

1966 K. Aage Nielsen / Paul Luke 40 - Shoal Draft Centerboard Sloop An excellent, and increasingly rare opportunity, for someone looking to acquire a classic wooden sailing yacht, from a renowned designer (K. Aage Nielsen) and builder (Paul E. Luke), at a very affordable price. As with all Aage Nielsen custom designed and built bluewater yachts, he worked directly with the boatyard (Luke’s), overseeing every aspect of the construction of Direction, and continued to collaborate with the first two owners, whenever upgrades were considered. Nielsen is well known for his attention to detail and strict build oversight, detailed in the beautiful 2006 book Worthy of the Sea, with forward by Olin Stephens. Direction is very much of the period (1960s), with shoal draft centerboarders being the desired ocean racer/cruiser of the day. Nielsen’s boats were all designed for bluewater sailing and Direction fulfils that brief, having safely and comfortably carried her owners (often double-handed) for over 25,000 bluewater miles, from the U.S. East coast to the West Indies on several occasions. Double-planked, bronze fastened with bronze strapping amidships, she is robust and capable. Solid teak cabin sides and cockpit combings speak to the era, when these boatbuilding materials were still readily available and affordable. Both Nielsen and Luke were known as innovators, and Direction shows evidence, with a 1960s blend of modern materials complementing a traditional build. Above the hull, she was designed and built with fiberglass decks, a sleek (Ted Hood) custom-designed tapered aluminum mast, and cast aluminum wheel. See details and comprehensive spec sheet in photos. There is a ton of value in the boat with recent/significant updates to electrical, rig, plumbing, running rigging, decks, sailing hardware and serviced sails. She is very comfortable and an ideal Salish Sea cruiser. Out of water survey in 2022. Currently moored and insured in Victoria. Diesel engine starts and runs well, but has a loss of power in a cylinder that will need to be addressed for cruising. If you are mechanically inclined, this may be an easy fix for you. Open to reasonable offers.