Dan Houston

2 months ago | classicboat.co.uk | Dan Houston

Part three of our four-part series, talking to Captain Tony Morse about restoring Tara Getty’s 1938 S&S Bermudan yawl Baruna – describing here her interior and fitout…discussing the decisions and choices taken over materials, design, engineering and getting the right look. TM: Baruna’s original interior featured a Butternut mahogany finish throughout, with a natural, unembellished appearance. It was simple by today’s standards but was functional and well-crafted for its time.

2 months ago | classicboat.co.uk | Dan Houston

Dan Houston continues his four-part series on restoring Tara Getty’s 1938 S&S yawl Baruna with captain Tony Morse. TM Baruna’s deck consisted of Port Orford cedar planks fastened to the spruce deck beams with bronze wood screws and plugged. The seams were caulked and payed with Jeffery’s Marine Glue No1. Bronze cross-strapping was installed at the main mast and aft of the deck house to provide extra strength under sail. A mahogany bulwark and cap rail completed the structure.

Jan 9, 2025 | classicboat.co.uk | Dan Houston

A few years after Britain’s lifeboat service was founded in 1824, the man on whose ideas it was based was involved in a spectacular rescue himself. Sir William Hillary was coxswain of the newly-built lifeboat at Douglas when, late on the stormy night of November 19 1830, he and 13 volunteers rowed out to rescue the 22 crew of the mail packet paddle steamer St George, which had struck St Mary’s Rock about 400m north of the harbour entrance.

Dec 11, 2024 | classicboat.co.uk | Dan Houston

The recent job on Tara Getty’s 1938 S&S yawl Baruna was a true high-water mark in the world of sailing yacht restorations. Dan Houston starts our four-part series with captain Tony Morse, by looking at the hull. Tony Morse: I remember vividly the first time I saw Baruna, standing across the marina in LA, utterly captivated by her profile. She was awe-inspiring, powerful, and majestic – her lines and proportions unmistakably bearing Olin Stephens‘ signature.

Nov 25, 2024 | classicsailor.com | Dan Houston

UK LUXURY YACHT FIRM FIRST TO BE SENTENCED FOR IMPORTING MYANMAR ‘BLOOD’ TEAKIn a landmark court case in the UK, Sunseeker International Ltd has been fined £358,759.64 for using teak imported from Myanmar (Burma), on some its boats. Bournemouth Crown Court Judge Jonathan Fuller KC imposed the fines and costs totalling £358,759.64 after finding the Poole-based luxury motor yacht company had breeched UK Timber Regulations for 11 specific imports.