Owner Profiles and New Launchings at HYS
Catalina 42, "Anegada"
We just wanted to send a note along to John Zomermaand and Hellier let you know how much we are enjoying our Catalina 42. We have sailed hundreds of nautical miles this summer, even though we didn't pick the boat up until the end of June! Thanks for working so well with us on the sale.
I particularly wanted to thank you for getting the asymmetrical spinnaker (we hit 9.5 knots on the GPS yesterday through flat water with the spinnaker up!) I also wanted to thank you for arranging the canvas work by Barbara Whiting at Custom Covers. We love the dodger, bimini, and cushions.
Thank you again,
Jim and Madeleine Bass
Grand Banks 42, "White Elephant"
I want to thank HYS and especially Bill Conroy so very much for all your help with the purchase of "Freedom" this past October. Your sage advice, attention to detail, and personable approach made the entire affair easy and enjoyable. Your quiet persistence played a large part in finalizing a deal that might not have occurred had brokers of lesser temperaments been involved. In that regard, you made what I had feared might become a time consuming process extremely expedient.
Finally, your willingness to remain in touch with me and to assist with my finding a carpenter to fabricate nameplates was above and beyond what I might expect from a yacht broker. You have saved me innumerable hours in searching for a carpenter and your affable manner was much appreciated. I thank you again for all of your help, and I look forward to remaining in touch.
Jamie Gerrity
"White Elephant"
Catalina 36, "Ginger Beer"
We wanted you to know what a delightful experience it was buying our Catalina 36 from Hellier salesman John Zomermaand. The actual sales process was pretty straightforward, but the "shake-down" was a bit more complex.
It had been nearly two decades since we last owned a sailboat. John was very responsive to our constant questions and always so good-natured! He went way beyond the call of duty many times: mounting fire extinguishers, applying the name and hailing port to the hull, and helping us out on the Fourth of July when we discovered on that we had an engine problem and the water pump had died.
Thank you to you, John, and the rest of the staff at Hellier Yachts for making our acquisition of Ginger Beer such a pleasant experience. We will continue to sing your praises to those we meet cruising the New England waters!
Fondly,
Kate Martin and Steve MacQuarrie
Ericson 38, "Nakesa"
Well, it has only taken a year, but NAKESA (formerly 'Scott Free') is now fully restored back to her original glory - with some new added bits and pieces!
We have just gotten back from 19 days in the Broughton Archipelago, which is just above the 49th parallel in British Columbia, and all the spit and polish we have put into her has paid off! I have attached some photos, starting with the shot of her in your yard, and then her arrival in Vancouver, painting of the keel, shots of the new rigging and lifelines, painted boom, polished hull, and then a few shots of her plying the waters of British Columbia!
She loves to reach and enjoys light to medium winds, but has also handled 32 knots without a hiccup...and is such a dream to sail!
Kerry and I want to thank you so very much for all your effort and care and attention to our needs and concerns during our visit last year to do the inspection and sea trial. You and your team were nothing short of amazing, as you saw to every last detail as we finalized the purchase of the boat and preparation for trucking her across the country and into British Columbia, Canada.
Thank you so very much for all that you did for us - you truly made purchasing a boat, not only between two countries, but from one coast to the other, almost effortless.
I hope you are doing well, and your new position still affords you lots of time to play!
Warmest regards,
Nancy Frosst
PS:
NAKESA... which is the name we have given her - is an acronym for Nancy And Kerry's Excellent Sailing Adventure!
Cheers, and best wishes!
Malö 36, "Spindrift"
We wanted to thank all the crew at Hellier for a great boat purchasing experience. Hard to believe that at the start of our two week cruise we decided to stop in New London to take a "peek" at a Malo 36 that we might be interested in. Two weeks later, we were returning home with our new boat Spindrift!
Not only did you have to make arrangements with the sellers who were in Seattle and France, the Hellier team had the Malo hauled, painted, zinced and returned to the water while we were leisurely cruising in Vineyard Sound. All we had to do is pull up to your docks, close the deal and sail off with with a beautiful boat!
We highly recommend Hellier to anyone looking to purchase a sailboat. Please do not hesitate to use us as a reference as satisfied Hellier customers.
Dawn and Paul Gudelis
s/v Spindrift
Island Packet 465, "At Last"
Celebrating a very special sail, (from left to right) Mark Gorrel, Bill Springer, Senior Editor of SAIL magazine, Janet Gorrel and Hellier General Manager Rick Dieterich share a glass of champagne at the Hellier dock.
The occasion? The maiden voyage of the Gorrel's new Island Packet 465 "At Last" and Best Boats 2008 review for SAIL of Island Packet's newest model all in one! Look for the article in the December issue of Sail magazine.
Irwin 34, "Mara Ceo"
I want to Thank You again for the sale of Mara Ceo. The whole process was handled in a very professional manner. Your salesman Bill Conroy kept me updated on any leads and returned my phone calls promptly with answers to any questions I might have had. I especially liked your relaxed style. It made everyone involved in the sale of the vessel feel very comfortable. Bill, if you are an example of the rest of the Hellier team I would not hesitate to recommend you to anyone I know, to sell or purchase a vessel through Hellier Yacht Sales.
Paul Croteau
