S/V PAVITI TERN is the sole surviving Casey-built, plank on frame sailing vessel of her unique design. Unfortunately, Casey Boatworks of Fairhaven, MA suffered two devastating fires that destroyed the company's buildings, drawings and records. I have located one other boat like her but it is in a body bag (encased in fiberglass).
Ken Ziegler, a coast guard veteran and former Casey-Cutter owner provided me with all the blue prints, sales brochures and history from his vessel. His S/V PATIENCE was built in 1936, S/V PAVITI TERN in 1938. When he bought his PATIENCE, the drawings came with the purchase of the boat. Ken retired early as an engineer at Raytheon Electronics. Ken along with his wife Dorothy sailed extensively in New England and the West Indies
Ken Ziegler & I believe through research that there were only thirteen plank on frame boats built of this design. Her one-of-a-kind feature is a 16 foot cast iron keel that has a three foot centerboard hinged in the cast iron keel. This unusual arrangement was not seen in any other sailing vessels of her time by any boatbuilder. The length and weight of the cast iron keel helps her hold her course on long ocean going passages. The centerboard allows her to beat to windward effectively in the local bays and sounds. The centerboard being hinged in the slot in the cast iron keel, means there was no longer a need for a centerboard trunk inside the cabin or
S/V SEA TERN began her life at the Casey Boat-works in Fairhaven, MA in 1938. We do have a fairly good record of Major Casey's innovation and work ethics in the book, co authored by R. Scott Morris & Capt'n Dave Butcher, titled "Boatbuilders of Fairhaven". Available through Amazon. Their account shows a very talented immigrant coming into the town of Fairhaven and building hundreds of very seaworthy fishing boats as well as many unique, fast and beautiful sailing yachts. During WWII he built exceptionally seaworthy boats for the military
Ken Zeigler provided me records that show she became S/V HARLEQUIN, later her name changed to S/V PAVITI, then to S/V PAVITI TERN and finally federally documented by Bob Sanborn as S/V PATIENCE. We have no idea who her previous owners were other than Bob Sanborn. When I purchased her, I changed her name back to S/V PAVITI TERN based on the record of Bob's attempt to sell her through CANNELL PAYNE&PAGE Yacht Brokers. She is awaiting a new board of directors and a rechristening back to her original name S/V SEA TERN. To the best of our knowledge she is the last survivor of a very unique sailing vessel.
ROBERT SANBORN'S RESTORATION
The history of Robert Sanborn's four year restoration and forty some years of ownership was recorded in text only. No pictures but Bob gave me a large box of paper receipt's of the thousands of dollars he spent on restoring S/V PATIENCE. Carpenter Nat Benjamin of GANNON & BENJAMIN boat building in Vineyard Haven MA worked on her at Bob's home in 1979 at a labor rate of $9 an hour. He kept a daily log for his accomplishments. I provide our readers with his personal letter placing the boat for sale in 1998 with CANNELL, PAYNE & PAGE, Yacht Brokers in Camden ME, asking price was eighteen thousand dollars. He laments in the letter how he was being forced to sell his beloved boat due to his old age. That coupled with no interest from his family members. On page three of the Broker agreement you can read the very extensive rebuild, without which I would not have been able to complete my restoration. Now she has come full circle with old age and no family interest forcing me to find a new home for her. Her new home will be as a Dedicated Veterans Service Vessel or she will be decommissioned with dignity if support is not found. I will not let her rot away lonely and uncared for!
PERSONAL LETTER to CANNELL,PAYNE&PAGE
PERSONAL LETTER PAGE TWO
PERSONAL LETTER PAGE THREE
CANNELL,PAYNE&PAGE YACHT BROKERS PG ONE
LISTING PAGE ONE
BROKER PAGE TWO
LISTING PAGE 3
GANNON & BENJAMIN INC.
BROKER PAGE FOUR
