1973 Hinckley 49 | 49ft

     “I first came to know Otto and Jane Morningstar at lunch in Boston in 1975. I had made a delivery of a Tartan 41 after SORC races in Florida and the Bahamas. Ready to start my career after Naval service and finishing college, Otto offered me a position for the summer on his new Hinckley 49. It was a delightful summer where I acted as Captain as we cruised the cape, Maine and eventually Canada that summer.

     I worked thru December making the delivery to Ft Lauderdale.

     Otto had made the decision at age 65 with an established business in Cambridge. This was his change in career, and I am glad I made that a part of his life.

     The way I learned about the H49 was in the yard at Southwest Harbor. There Henry H walked onto the boat his remark to me was what have you done to my boat. We had been hit in Nantucket Sound. The boat that hit us had torn its bow off. We had no damage. That is when I learned the strength built into this boat and its remarkable longevity.

     My most remarkable experience and the reason I chose the H49 later in my life was a delivery from Southwest Harbor to Boston. It was blowing 40 in November. We were going downwind at around13 knots. The Hood roller furling failed. Frank and I spent 3 hours pulling head stay and sail back on deck. The boat remained steady, headed to Boston. It had then as it does now autopilot. With her strong diesel she simply headed straight to the Boston entrance without issue no rolling just her big wake pushing thru 7 ft. seas.

     Our typical week or long weekend in the Cape was Otto and Jane in the rear and a close friend with his wife up forward. I slept in the main salon. This worked fine and family dinners were easy around the large dining table or up on deck in the summer. It was a remarkable boat for cruising and moving safely thru the fog or at sea. Faster and more sea kindly than a trawler, let expensive than a fast trawler favored by so many today. And much less complex.

     I left Bluestar and Otto and Jane continued to do expedition cruises until 1989. They had many enjoyable cruises to Canada and the Cape. The boat then became a full-time summer boat being stored inside at McDouglas in Falmouth

     Her next owner renamed her Yankee Lady. She did some work in the Buzzards Bay area. Her engine was replaced during this time period in 1996 with a Perkins. She was by this time the best 49 on the market.

     The owners I purchased her from (third owner) were three partners that had worked together in Saudi Arabia. They cruised from Saudi to Wilmington on their own boats then looked for a larger yacht that the three of them could cruise extensively on the Eastern Caribbean and Canada. Now named Indigo she was on the go with six-month cruises. When I met them, they knew they wanted a true-blue water cruiser. They said when they purchased Yankee Girl she was the best 49 on the market at that time and they looked at suitable cruisers throughout. They were strong sailors and in the Caribbean they mostly used Jib and Mizzen and easily did 8 to 9 under sail. The split rig gives you unlimited control when the wind comes up and makes the boat a delight to handle.

   While I had let my sailing career languish raising a family and not having great cruising ground in NC, I finally decided to get back into sailing. I started as most of us looking thru YachtWorld . Knowing that I wanted to cruise I knew a center cockpit. There was one on the market and it was only 100 miles from my hometown. I went for the visit. Tied up at a personal dock in Hampstead I recognized immediately the lines of a H49. Instead of Carolina Blue hull she was the typical Hinckley Navy Blue hull. She had been run hard by the three of them and many maintenance items had fallen. After three months I continued my offer and pointed out the items that needed immediate attention. I am the patron saint of older boats.

   The boat immediately went into the yard for a full year upfit which included mast, rigging, new deck and new Awlwood on the brightwork. When the mast was pulled I found neatly stenciled on the bottom of the mast Blue Star. I knew my life had gone full circle and this was Otto and Jane’s boat. I knew that I had to keep her and make her as close to new as possible.

 In 2017 Blue Star was moved to New England and she spent summers in the Cape and New England area. She wintered at Dodson’s in Stonington where her crew there took wonderful care and prepared her well for the summer cruises our family did thru 2022. She went on her longest cruise by me after covid where I took her to Florida and eventually returned to NC. On the hard for the rest of 2022 and then was launched to go to Maine for the summer of 2023… Goal Camden Cup in July. Blue Star has a PHRF of 170. She came in 4th on this fun family cruise.

 Sailing characteristics. Blue Star hardly ever needs reefing with her split rig and lower mast height. In 20 apparent she easily makes 9 knots and tracks wonderfully. Being 25 tons she has a lot of weight to allow her to push thru anything she never bangs against head winds but simply like the old clipper ships uses her weight to move forward. You will find her total fiberglass adds significant weight and then gives her a sea kindly effect. As one friend who had a trawler and many fishing boats came aboard for a drink at anchor he remarked “she doesn’t move around” like other boats. So, while some would say slow, I would say she always gets where you need to go, and she does it safely and easily.

One thing you will notice on Blue Star and Otto loved this. From the helm chair which everyone kind of looks at but then you can never get them out of it. You can control all lines including main sheet, Jib and Mizzen. She can be single handed pretty easily and we almost always do single watches with both AIS and Radar and autopilot it’s easy to do a single watch and her high and dry cockpit always was a big plus when at sea or in the harbor… I added the Tides Marine sail track which means an older person can easily raise and lower the main sail in a heartbeat. I have found a Doyle stack pack, and the Tides Track gives me easy control of the main versus the hassle of in mast or in boom furling. Otto would have appreciated that but then he did not have a full bimini to get a sail cover on and I would have done it anyway…” ~ Current Owner of Blue Star

     “In 2015 entire deck and cabin top was stripped and painted.  New non-skid installed on walking surfaces and painted with Alexseal.  All windows were removed and new tempered glass installed and rebedded.  No leaks. 

Awlwood systems applied on all teak on deck areas.  Maintained by Dodson’s Boat Yard as needed.” ~ Owners Comments

• White decks
• Grey non-skid

     “Hull waxed and buffed annually. Underbody soda blasted and 10 barrier coats applied in 2017. Interlux ablative applied as needed.” ~ Owners Comments

• Dark topsides
• Rub rail with stainless steel bullnose cap rail
• White boot stripe
• Centerboard is Bronze.  Electrically driven 1000 lbs
• Bronze thru hulls throughout

     “Mast was removed and sent to Eastern Rig in Maryland for inspection rebuild and welding of all parts.  New Pads for winches. New winches installed for main, genoa, and reef on boom.  Boom has internal 4 to 1 purchase. 

    New Tides Track installed in 2019 along with a new mainsail.  This gives great control of the main both haul up and down.  Pull it up half was without winch.  Falls down in 5 seconds.

     Doyle Stack pack installed 2017 and new auto retriever installed at Dodson’ Boatyards in 2023.  Don’t have to climb the mast to zip it. 

     All new running rigging installed 2016.  Mast was removed annually and stored at Dodson’s Boatyard 2017 to 2022.  Little over all wear on all running rigging.

     New Boom Vang on mizzen.  Genoa 2019… Main 2020… little wear … New life lines April 2023.” ~ Owners Comments

• Sail area: 922 square feet
• Mast height from waterline to masthead (excluding antennas etc.) 59′
• Standing and running rigging ~ 2016
• Full batten main and mizzen

     Sails

• Doyle mainsail ~ 2020
• Doyle genoa ~ 2019
• Mizzen stay sail ~ 2001 little use
• Mizzen sail ~ 2009 used rarely
• Asymmetrical spinnaker with snuffer and tacker hardware

     “Floor was removed by Dodson’s Boat Yard for interior varnish.  Floor was done with regular varnish.

Dodson’s Boat Yard installed removable wood screws to stop squeaking on floors.  Easily removed for service.” ~ Owners Comments

• All lights are now LED
• All Berths have sea berths have canvas installed. restraints main salon berths pull out for normal twin configuration both sides
• There are four total all cedar lined storage lockers
• Additional storage behind main salon and under aft berths
• Multiple large bins for linens and seabags aft

As you make your way down the forward companionway steps, you enter a charming main salon, boasting rich mahogany joinery and a teak and holly sole, all set off by classic white upholstery with blue piping. L-shaped settee to the port and starboard. The salon table is in the center with a single fold up leaf.

To starboard and aft of the navigation station is the utility room that offers good access to mechanical and electrical systems and offers additional space if other systems are desired.

Returning to the main cabin is the centrally located navigation station equipped with a suite of electronics, the electrical distribution pane and numerous drawers for charts and ship’s papers.

Passing through the salon is the forward cabin with a traditional v-berth. To starboard as you enter the cabin is a large storage locker. Reading lights are port and starboard, with storage shelfs port and starboard outboard at the foot of the bunk. A single settee sits in the v of the berth with storage drawers and lockers below berth.

Turning aft and to port is the forward cabin with Wilcox head, Corian counters, sink with shower and vanity.

Continuing aft and moving back through the salon is the galley that features refrigeration/freezer, propane and electric cooktops, propane oven, microwave oven and Corian counters.

• Top loading icebox with refrigeration ~ converted to run through inverter 2023
• Seafrost freezer compartment in top-loading icebox ~ 2010
• Digital temperature monitors for refrigeration and freezer compartments
• Exchanger Sharp microwave oven ~ 2023
• Ice Maker (non-operational)
• Force 10 3-Burner LPG range with oven
• Propane monitor/controller ~ 2020
• Two-burner electric cooktop

Aft of the galley is the owner’s stateroom with unencumbered access to the aft cockpit aft and the galley forward. The cabin offers double berth port and starboard, storage locker to port, drawer storage aft of the forward bulkhead, drawer storage below berths and shelf and lockers storage outboard of both port and starboard berths. En-suite of the cabin is the owners head forward to starboard with Wilcox head, Corian counters, sink, vanity and separate stall shower with 6′ 2″ head room, a shower wand, exhaust fan and an auto grey water pump.

     Heads

     “All heads rebuilt.  Spare parts in rear locker. New faucets installed in both heads in 2023. Exhaust fans in rear head, over stove and engine room to exhaust heat and flavors” ~ Owners Comments

     “B&G navigation, radar, plus Raymarine single on pedestal, NEMA 2000 installed 2016.” ~ Owners Comments

Helm

• B&G Zeus 2 multifunction display
• Raymarine data display
• Danforth 5” Constellation ships compass
• Icom remote RAM mic
• Raymarine Autohelm Series ST6002 autopilot control head

Forward Cockpit Companionway

• Raymarine Autohelm Series ST60+ depth display
• Raytheon remote autopilot control panel
• Raymarine Autohelm Series ST60+ speed display
• Raymarine Autohelm Series ST60+ wind display

     On Mast

• B&G Zeus 2 radar dome

     Navigation Station

• B&G Zeus 2 multifunction display
• Icom IC-M424G VHF

Additional

• AIS
• SEA 235 SSB
• JVC AM/FM stereo with Bose speakers

     Engine

     “Perkins 6 354 with 5100 hours.  Engine runs great no oil burn and no water issues.  New shaft 2023 and PSI refreshed in 2023.  New Exhaust hoses to stern (gen and main) installed 2019.” ~ Owners Comments

• Perkins 135hp Diesel Engine, 5,420 hrs. (2016)
• Walker Algae-Sep Fuel Polishing System
• Flexifold 20″ 4-blade propeller
• Spare three-blade Max-Prop (in forward locker)
• PSI dripless shaft seal

     Heating/Cooling

     “Forward and aft heat pumps units with new control units and new fan motors.  All operational.” ~ Owners Comments

• (2) Cruisair reverse cycle air conditioning and heating units

     Diesel

• 325-Gallon fiberglass diesel tank
• Baffled tanks with inspection ports

     Water

     “New hot water tank installed 2023. Fresh water system reworked at Dodson’s Boatyard in 2020 included new plenum.  (located underneath hot water tank in work room) New Paragon Junior water pressure installed 2023.” ~ Owners Comments

• 300-Gallon fiberglass fresh water
• Baffled tanks with inspection ports
• 12-Gallon hot water heater 120 volt and engine heat
• Hot and cold pressurized water system

     Gray Water

• (2) 8-gallon fiberglass holding tanks

     Black Water

• (2) 18-gallon fiberglass holding tanks fore & aft
• Macerators for overboard disposal offshore

• Electrical panel upgraded ~ 2000 and reviewed in 2023
• Victron Lithium batteries ~ 2023
• Victron inverter/charger combo ~ 2023
• Northern Lights 6kw Generator (379 Hours)

     2015-2016

• New rigging from East Coast Rigging in Massachusetts
• Mast painted
• New winches installed
• New running rigging
• New B&G electronics including AIS and radar
• New autopilot controller
• New Icom VHF and remote mic
• Entire deck and cabin top stripped and repainted
• New 150′ anchor BBB chain with 150′ 5/8 nylon rode 300-foot total
• Doyle stack pack added

2017 – Boat taken to True World Marine, Morehead City

• Boat bottom soda blasted
• 10 Coats of barrier coat and new anti-fouling applied
• New Schaefer rolling furler drum for genoa
• New Schaefer stainless toggle to connect furler drum to deck
• New Flexifold 20″ propeller installed
• New PYI dripless shaft installed
• Main Engine and Generator thru hulls replaced
• Two new main bilge pumps installed (Atlantic Yacht Basin)
• Anchor windlass motor removed and rebuilt (Atlantic Yacht Basin)
• New cushions and mattresses throughout
• New Bimini, insert and dodger
• New cockpit cushions and canvas
• New interior beds and seating replaced, added high density foam for comfort
• All interior lights converted to LED

2018 – Boat moved to Connecticut and service by Dodson’s Boatyard for the summer season

• Bills available upon request
• Boat under cover thru Spring 2019

2019

• New Doyle genoa
• New Doyle main
• New Northern Lights 6Kw generator installed by Dodson’s Boatyard
• All exhaust hoses for main engine and generator changed
• New wash down pump for anchor installed in the chain locker
• Boat summer sailed in Cape and upper Massachusetts

2020 – Blue Star not launched due to Covid

2021 – Blue Star launched and sailed in New England and then delivered to Florida for the winter season

2022 – Blue Star arrived in Beaufort NC and put on hard for the summer

• Victron lithium-ion battery system installed
• Victron inverter/charger installed
• New EPIRB installed
• Fuel tank tested and new clean out hardware ports installed

2023 – Blue Star launched in Beaufort… sailed to New England. Brought to Annapolis

• Fiberglass Fuel Tank tested for leaks.  Non found.
• (4) Inspection Ports added for cleaning.

2024 – Boat offered for sale

     Ground Tackle

• 75# Stainless steel CQR anchor with 150′ chain and 150′ rode
• Ideal windlass ~ overhauled 2016
• Spare Fortress 85 anchor (on deck)
• Storm Drogue with 300′ rode

     Gear

• Life raft in valise ~ 2017 *needs re-certification
• First Aid Kit
• Flares
• (6) Life jackets

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