2005 Custom Malabar II Replica

The Schooner Tao is a custom built replica of a Malabar II schooner designed by John Alden. Her hull is 1.5” thick and consists of three layers of laminated old growth, vertical grain Douglas fir. Her deck beams are also laminated. Her outer skin is multiple layers of WEST system epoxy over fiberglass cloth. Her decks are teak. The benefits of this cold molded construction technique include better preservation of the wood, fewer maintenance requirements versus a traditional wooden hull, the elimination of leaky seams while waiting for the planks to swell when launched into the water, and a much lighter weight hull. The masts are also Douglas fir. They are solid from the bottom to about two feet above the deck and then hollow to the top, allowing for a much lighter rig. Tao’s lead keel weighs 10,000 pounds. LOA is 50’; LOD is 41’6”; LWL is 32’; beam is 11’6”; draft is 6’. She was launched in 2005.

The sail inventory of this gaff rigged schooner includes a mainsail, foresail, staysail and jib. All sails are in very good condition. Auxiliary power is provided by a well maintained Westerbeke 55A marine diesel engine producing 55 HP. There are 570 hours on the meter. The propeller is three-blade and made of bronze. The steering system is rotary drive.

Electronics include a Nexus depthsounder and knot log; a ComNav autopilot; a Standard Horizon VHF with AIS; and a Ritchie compass. Also included is a JBL Marine CD player.

Deck equipment includes a Lofrance windlass. Ground tackle includes 200’ of 5/16” chain and a 44 pound Bruce anchor. Also included are a Vulcan anchor and a Delta anchor.

Galley equipment includes an ice chest, a Broadwater four-burner marine stove and oven, hot and cold pressurized water.

Electrical equipment includes a 30 amp shore power inlet, one starter battery, four house batteries less than two years old, and AIMS power inverter, a Balmar Max battery charger and a 180 watt solar panel.

Entering the interior of the vessel one finds the galley to port and navigation table, electrical panel and storage to starboard. A drop leaf table is in the center of the salon and both settees open out to provide double berths. The head is to port. The v berth provides additional sleeping accommodations for two. There is ample storage space throughout the entire boat. The light finish of the interior oak creates a light and spacious feel within the cabin.

A recent survey revealed some issues that need to be addressed. The main mast and fore mast need to be stripped and varnished. The teak deck needs to be either replaced or repaired. The fiberglass sheathing was found to be compromised, particularly in the area of the transom. While water has gotten under the sheathing, a shipwright has determined that the wooden hull has not been compromised. Nevertheless, repairs to the sheathing are required to prevent water intrusion and to improve the exterior appearance of this yacht.

This is a rare opportunity to own a replica of the legendary schooner Malabar II. Given the necessary work to restore this schooner to Bristol condition, the price is dropped accordingly. The Schooner Tao is currently on-the-hard for the winter in Brookhaven on Long Island, NY.