Custom Geerd Hendel Raised-Deck Cutter

1959 Geerd Hendel 35’ Raised-Deck Cutter - Janet A

Introducing Janet A, a 1959 Geerd Hendel 35' Mahogany on Oak with Teak Raised-Deck Cutter. This classic vessel, originally Lady Joan, was built by the Morse Boatbuilding Co. of Thomaston, Maine, and even featured in WoodenBoat Magazine's November/December 2023 issue in the Save a Classic column.

Today, Janet A is the culmination of years of meticulous restoration, making her strong, seaworthy, and poised for her final preparations before launching. She is ideally suited for long-distance cruising, coastal sailing, or turning heads as a striking daysailer.

Her design by the esteemed 20th-century yacht designer, Geerd Hendel, combined with robust scantlings, heavy displacement, and a full keel, ensures safe sailing capabilities. The raised-deck design provides a remarkably spacious interior for a boat of her size, boasting generous headroom, sleeping accommodations for up to four, a well-appointed galley, an enclosed head, and ample storage.

Whether your dream is to explore the New England coast, navigate the islands of the Bahamas, or showcase a true classic at a wooden boat festival, Janet A can make it a reality.

Interior Layout

The interior joinery has been renewed with care, preserving the warmth of traditional wood finishes.

• Forward cabin with comfortable v-berth

• Enclosed head to port with a hanging locker to starboard

• Main salon with port and starboard settee berths

• Navigation station to starboard, adjacent to companionway

• Galley to port with gimbaled range, ice chest, and storage

• Abundant cabinetry and lockers for provisions and gear

Restoration

When Janet A arrived in Ipswich, MA in 2002, she was in need of a complete rebuild. Over the course of her restoration, that later continued in Savannah, GA, every major structural component was addressed:

2002–2008 – Green’s Point Boatyard, Ipswich, MA

• Dropped and refastened ballast keel

• Replaced/reinforced stringer and shelf beams

• Renewed deck beams as needed

• Replaced or sistered multiple frames

• Refastened entire hull with larger silicon-bronze screws

• Replaced topside planking and hood ends where required

• Installed new butt plates

• Installed operable bronze portholes in place of original fixed lights

• Installed redesigned butterfly skylight 

• Replaced stem

• Replaced king plank, rebuilt foredeck

• Repaired/reinstalled bowsprit and covering boards

• Rebuilt chainplates with 2(2x1/4”) sandwiched bronze

• Applied red lead to all new wood and hull interior

• Installed new rudder with bronze hardware and extended shaft

• Installed Dickinson fireplace heater

• Rebuilt companionway bulkhead, hatch, and chain locker

• Installed 144V DC electric auxiliary motor and wired new 12V main panel

• Installed bonding circuit, replaced fore and aft bulwarks
  
  

2009 – Moved to Savannah, GA

• Stored under cover; hull refinished (sides, top, bottom)
  
  

2010–2014

• Installed galvanic isolator

• Installed holding tank and pump-out system

• Built deck boxes

• Installed shore power with port and starboard access

• Discovered rotted deadwood 
  
  

2018 – Yacht Management of Savannah, GA

• Replaced rotted deadwood
  
  

2019–2020 – Major Structural Upgrades

• Replaced/spliced additional frames and rebuilt floors as needed

• Installed new bronze floor bolts

• Replaced wooden keel (first time) with laminated white oak keel

• Replaced fore and aft deadwood

• Installed new galvanized iron keel bolts

• Remounted cast iron ballast keel

• Replaced garboards and lower planking

• Thoroughly prepped and refinished bottom

• Installed new hanging knees

• Rewired and refinished mast

• Refinished bowsprit

• Refastened, bunged teak deck

• Extended cockpit coaming

• Repaired stanchion

• Repainted interior

Work Remaining

The heavy lifting is done. To complete Janet A for sailing, the next owner will need to:

• Fully install galley (original gimbaled 3-burner stove included)

• Complete fresh water storage and distribution

• Finish waste plumbing

• Complete ceiling installation

• Finish 120VAC and 12VDC distribution from main panels

• Reinstall 144V DC battery bank 

• Install sails, spars and rigging (all rigging, standing and running, as well as spare cordage, is in storage - plus many other spare parts are in storage such as most of the cast bronze fittings, wooden blocks etc.)

The work has been done with the goal of preserving her authenticity while ensuring strength for decades to come. She is now structurally sound and ready for sea, with only minor finish work and rig setup left before launch.

Hear it from the Experts

“It is clear from the photos that you have done an enormous job in bringing Janet A back.” – James Curry, Marine Surveyor (Marine Surveyor since 1982, SAMS member since 1987, Major wood and fiberglass repair background since 1964), who surveyed the boat for the current owners in 2002 commented on her current condition.

“I keep thinking that Janet A might be lucky enough to return to her midcoast Maine birthplace, which has become the center for building and caring for wooden boats.” – Maynard Bray, Wooden Boat technical editor.

         “She is beautiful and it looks like you have done some great work bringing her back to shape.”  --  Lance Buchanan, Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, Thomaston ME.

         “Janet A certainly is a beautiful boat and it looks like you guys have done a good deal of work.”   – Matt Graham, Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, Thomaston ME

“The Janet A looks like she has been well cared for and ready for the next phase, and eventually to splash again.”  – Mike Fix, American Yacht Restoration, Mangonia Park, FL

Why is Janet A Special

• Pedigree: Designed by Geerd Hendel, built by Morse—both names synonymous with quality.

• Proportions: Elegant sheer, and raised-deck lines that turn heads in any harbor.

• Strength: Heavy displacement, full keel, and robust scantlings make her a safe offshore cruiser.

• Comfort: Raised deck provides remarkable cabin volume and headroom for a yacht her length.

• Rarity: Few examples of Hendel’s raised-deck cutters survive—especially in such restored condition.

• Materials: Quality materials such as mahogany on oak interior, teak deck, silicon bronze fastened and refastened, refurbished cast iron keel refastened and hung on new laminated white oak wood keel with 1” galvanized steel. All fittings are cast bronze.

Specifications

• Designer: Geerd Hendel

• Builder: Morse Boatbuilding Co., Thomaston, ME – 1959

• Type: Raised-deck cutter, full keel

• Length Overall: 35’

• Length at Waterline: 28’

• Beam: 10’6”

• Draft: 6’

• Displacement: ~19,500 lbs

• Sail Area: Approx. 600 sq ft

• Electric Engine: Solomon Industries, Year 2006, Model ST 37 Electric

• Tankage: 100 gal. water in two uninstalled bladders, and 12 gal. waste in a mostly installed plastic tank

• Location: Savannah, Georgia