Joest Boats, LLC

TUSITALA

Perfect Cruising/ Live-aboard, Yacht, Ready for the Great Loop in Classic Style

$65,000.00

SOLD

Length: 37'         Max. Beam: 12'             Draft: 4'

TUSITALA Construction

TUSITALA ex.-SAILFISH was built as a Workboat/ Utility for the United States Coast Guard. The hull was built to stand up to very hard usage. The planking is one and a quarter inch thick cedar over white oak frames fastened with bronze and copper. The sheer plank is white oak. The rub-rail is three by three oak and there are multiple full-length stringers. In addition, the breast hooks and quarter knees are steel along with a steel ring frame at the forward end of the main cabin. TUSITALA’s bottom was sheathed in fiberglass and epoxy in the early 70’s. Joest Boats stripped all exterior paint and thoroughly inspected the fiberglass. It was found to be in excellent condition. It is a worm proof, non-leaking hull. There are thick bronze plates on the stem and the transom corners.
The deck and lower house beams are mahogany. The wheelhouse top is framed with laminated cedar. Decks and house are sheathed in marine plywood covered in fiberglass cloth and epoxy. The overheads are white cedar.

History of the Vessel

Launched in 1928 as SAILFISH, she was used by the U. S. C. G. as a buoy tender in New York harbor for about 35 years. When they decided to retire her, she was given to the Sea Scouts. She was left on a mooring in Sheepshead Bay, where she was spotted by two brothers, Ralph and Paul. The brothers fell in love with the classic lines and made a deal with the Sea Scouts. One brother had a metal-working shop in Brooklyn, so they hauled the boat to that shop. Over the next eight years they built the house, decks, and interior. They also installed plumbing, electrical systems, and a brand new “1974” diesel engine. They re-named her TUSITALA after the Tall Ship they had toured as children. The brothers, wives, and their families enjoyed TUSITALA for nearly 50 years. Due to failing health, she was put on the market in 2014. Joest Boats purchased her seeing incredible value and history in need of preservation. She has now been fully updated and is ready for another 90 years of good service.

This Mini Expedition Yacht has recently had a major refit bringing this classic into the 21st century. The hull has been stripped and re-painted. The decks and lower house have been re-built and sheathed with fiberglass cloth and epoxy. The wheelhouse is new and is also sheathed with fiberglass and epoxy. All paint inside and out is new. 

NEW: Electical distribution panel, wiring, batteries, AC/DC refrigerator, 3 burner stove, stainless steel hot water heater, pressure water pump, toilet, holding tank, macerator pump, and thru hull fittings. 

The Ford Leyman diesel engine has 1686 hours since new and was well maintained by the brothers who installed it new in 1975. The Paragon transmission has only 3 hours since a complete re-build. The shaft coupling and stuffing box packing has been replaced. A small sump tank with automatic pump has been installed to catch any drips at the stuffing box. 

New Morse controls and cables have been installed for the throttle and shift. The two stainless steel 50 gallon fuel tanks have been flushed and cleaned. The engine water in-take thru-hull and seacock have been replaced. The engine room electrical panel is new as is the starting battery. The engine has fresh hoses and belts installed.

The aft deck has a large hatch in the center which provides great acess to the huge engine room. The deck is surrounded by a wood and metal rail which also holds 2 flip down seats and a propane BBQ grill. On the starboard side there is a swim/boarding ladder which folds down. At the forward end of the deck, there are 2 steps, port and starboard, for easy access to the top of the lower house. The lower steps house air intakes for the engine room. The upper steps house the propane tanks. There is a double door with a sliding hatch in the center of the aft cabin bulkhead to provide access to the interior.

Moving forward the lower house top has long, sturdy handrails down both sides. There is a folding mast with a boom for hoisting a dinghy on board. The anchor light "new" is on top of the mast. You will also find a "Dog Door" into the wheelhouse on the starboard side, aft end. There are built in "Ladder Steps" next to the mast tabernacle for access to the wheelhouse top. 

On top of the wheelhouse there is a hatch with a solar vent fan built into the top. There are also port and starboard light boards with new navigation lights and "1928" carved into the board face. In addition, there is an antenna for the VHF radio and 2 each, 100-watt solar panels to keep the batteries charged.

The wheelhouse door is a type of "Dutch" door whereby the top of the door can be opened while keeping the bottom closed if desired. There is also an opening porthole mounted in the upper half of the door.

Forward of the wheelhouse there is anchor storage, a heavy duty sampson post, a bow pulpit with duel anchor rollers, and a 12-volt windlass.

History of the name TUSITALA

During WWII, one of the last Square-Rigged Sailing Ships, TUSITALA was laid-up in a New York City Shipyard because of the danger from U-Boats lurking off the coast. The Captain of the Square Rigger was retained as a ship keeper while the vessel was laid-up. The father of Paul and Ralph worked at the shipyard and became friends with the Captain. On trips to visit their father the two young boys were able to explore the great ship. I am sure these two made an early decision to own a ship of their own, one day; and of course, would name her TUSITALA.

Most notably known as the name given to Robert Lois Stevenson by the Samoan Islanders when he lived among them. In Samoan language, it means, “Teller of Tales.”

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SPECIFICATIONS:

Height of boat from waterline: 10' - Mast Down 19' 6" - Mast Up

Overall Height/ Trucking Height: 12' 9"

Fuel Capacity: 100 Gal. in 2 tanks

Fresh Water: 66 Gal. in 4 tanks

Propane: Space for two 30 lb. tanks

Engine 4 Cyc. Ford Leyman diesel

80 HP. 254 Cu. In.

Paragon 2.5-1 Transmission

Ground Tackle: Primary - cast Danforth anchor with 15' 3/8 galvanized chain and 225 feet of 3/4" nylon rode.

Secondary - Standard Danforth with 6' chain and 100' nylon rode. 

 NEW EQUIPMENT

3 each 31 Series AGM batteries

 Exhaust System including Lift Muffler

Morse twin control with new shift and throttle cables

Blue Sea AC/DC electrical control panel with breakers

All electrical wiring

Air conditioning circulation pump

All below water-line thru hulls and sea cocks

Stainless steel hot water heater

Norcold AC/DC refrigerator with freezer

Marine toilet

Holding tank

Macerator pump

Sanitation hoses

Stuffing box sump with automatic pump

Engine room lights

Garmin GPS/chart plotter and depth

2 each 100-watt solar panels

Nature Power 30-amp solar controller

2 each Marinco Battery Chargers

Nav. Lights

Seat and bunk upholstery

Fresh water pressure water pump

Fresh water system hoses

Force-10/Eno 3 burner propane stove

Propane hoses, gauge, solenoid valve, and gas detector

Galley faucet with sprayer

2 each Caframo ultimate 12-volt fans

West Marine 12-volt circuit breaker panel in engine room

Glacier Bay hand held shower

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT

3 each 12-volt bilge pumps with automatic switches

12-volt shower sump pump

12-volt blower in engine room

2 each brass oil lamps in main cabin

Overhead dome lights

12-volt horn

Bronze ships bell

4 each dock lines

3 fenders

spare fuel and oil filters

2 fire extinguishers

Horizon Galaxy VHF radio

Vizio 27" Flat Screen Color TV with remote

Sea Fit 12-volt fan in wheelhouse

INTERIOR:

The flooring in the wheelhouse and throughout the interior is Lonseal, an incredibly tough material with excellent non-skid properties. All new interior upholstery. The helm is on the port side. The AC/DC distribution panel is below the helm with frequently used accessory switches located foreward of the steering wheel with the engine gauges. The wheelhouse has wonderful, 360 degree views. The wooden steering wheel has an amazing patina after 50 plus years of use. There is a fold down helm seat and plenty of room to spread out charts. Also included is a brand new Garmin chart plotter/sonar and a VHF radio. There is a 16,000 BTU Marine air reverse cycle air conditioner mounted in the wheelhouse to provide whole boat climate control. 

Below the wheelhouse is a large storage area which also houses the new waste holding tank, Y valve, macerator pump, and sea cock. There is a manual bilge pump with the handle mounted next to the helm seat. 

Starting at the aft end, the interior begins with a settee type single bunk port and starboard. The port side bunk can be pulled out into a double, master bunk. There is a ladder centered on the aft bulkhead for access to the aft deck. Also centered on the aft bulkhead are two, large doors which provide excellent access to the front of the engine. A flat screen TV and fire extinguisher are on the starboard aft bulkhead. A hanging locker is to port. There are four large drawers under the bunks for storage. There are also storage spaces outboard of both bunks. 

Moving forward on the port side is the galley area with a new three burner propane stainless steel stove and a  stainless steel sink with new faucetts and sprayer. The solenoid control and gas detector for the propane system are located at the forward end of the galley. There is a hood with a power exhaust fan over the stove. 

There are 2 upper cabinets and 2 drawers, plus locker space under the countertop. The trash can is in a tip-out door under the stove. The new hot water heater is outboard of the trash can. Opposite the stove on the starboard side is the brand new, front opening Norcold AC/DC refrigerator/freezer with a large counterspace above. Forward of the refrigerator is the dinette with seating for 4 and loads of storage above, outboard, and below the seats. Under the forward seat are the 2 New, 31 series AGM house batteries. Also in this area is the brain for the air conditioner and the automatic battery charger. Multiple bookshelves around the dinetter area lend a comfortable, homey feel to the interior.

Forward of the dinette is a multi-purpose area. With the cushion in place you have a guest bunk. Remove the cushion and lower the ironing board and you have a laundry area. There is a laundry hamper built in at the forward end of this bunk. Lift the ironing board, remove the filler piece and you have a desk with seat. There is an A/C outlet for your computer and ample storage for office supplies. On the port side of this area is the head with new marine toilet, stall shower, and sink. Forward of the head is a hanging locker, a hatch, and a ladder to the deck, above.