The accommodations on the bow feature a spacious sail and gear locker measuring approximately 6 feet, as well as a collision bulkhead. The owner's stateroom is located towards the front of the vessel and has been thoughtfully designed, with plenty of natural light and ventilation. The room features a centerline queen berth, ample drawer storage, a small settee, linen storage, and a bookshelf. To the starboard side is a cedar-lined hanging locker, and beyond that is a mirrored vanity with a swing-out seat, drawers, and space to store hair dryers. The owner's private head, finished in cherry and Corian, includes a bathtub, shower, stainless steel bidet, and fashioned out of teak. Moving aft, there is a passageway with a hanging locker and shoe locker to the starboard side. Across from that is a comfortable guest stateroom with a double berth, four-drawer bureau, and a built-in Panasonic TV. The stateroom also has a hanging locker and plenty of storage under and above the berth. An adjoining head, finished in Corian, includes a shower and electric toilet. The walls are made of Formica with cherry trim. On the opposite side, the port side guest stateroom is equally well-laid out, with a Goiot hatch providing additional ventilation. This room has both upper and lower double berths, with storage behind and drawers beneath. Aft of the guest stateroom is another head, featuring a shower and electric toilet. Moving out of the central companionway, there are a few shallow steps leading to the main saloon. The interior of the entire vessel is lined with beautiful cherry wood, which is complemented and illuminated by matte white overheads and solid teak and holly flooring. The saloon is spacious, with four large overhead hatches providing ample light and ventilation. There are L-shaped settees on both the port and starboard sides, with a hi/lo extension dining table in the starboard settee. The room also includes extensive storage in lockers and drawers. There is a pilot berth behind the starboard settee, and a TV and stereo are situated behind the port-side settee. A built-in bar and liquor storage can also be found in this area, along with excellent drawer storage. To the aft and starboard is the galley, which opens up to the main saloon. The U-shaped galley faces forward and features plenty of counter space, fiddles, storage, and a top-loading refrigerator and freezer. The stove is located outboard and can be concealed with cherry wood drop panels. The galley is also equipped with a Grunert 110v holding plate refrigerator/freezer, a four-burner propane stove, a trash compactor, garbage disposal, a microwave oven, and a hot water system with a capacity of 60 gallons. Adjacent to the galley, on the centerline, is the passageway leading to the aft cockpit. The watertight door behind the companionway provides access to the engine room. Along this passageway is a wet locker, and to the outboard side is another double stateroom, which can also be used as crew quarters. Forward of this stateroom is a head, followed by the navigation center. Climbing up the companionway, you will reach the spacious aft cockpit, which includes a large table with a centerline footrest. The cockpit is protected by a dodger and a bimini that can be joined together. Engine room access is available under the starboard seat. On the foredeck, the anchoring system is impressive, with two large CQR anchors in chocks, a windlass further aft, and plenty of deep storage lockers on both the port and starboard sides. A large lazarette can also be found aft. The vessel also includes various electronics, such as closed-circuit cameras in the engine room and bilge. A Robertson Dateline X instrument panel, two 14' RCA TV/VCR combos, flat-screen TVs, a clock, and barometer. The navigation center is equipped with a Robertson AP300 DLX autopilot and a Garmin 5212 touchscreen navigation system with displays at both the helm and nav center. The vessel also features an insulated backstay antenna for SSBC and a Cap'n Elec. Charting &amp; Ship Management system. The sails on the ketch-rigged vessel include a mainsail, 130% Genoa, storm sail, mizzen staysail, and staysail. All headsails and staysails are fitted with Hood furlers. The winches include two Lewmar #90 2-speed self-tailing electric primaries with upgraded gears, two Lewmar #55 2-speed self-tailing electric secondaries, a Lewmar #55 self-tailing main sheet, a Lewmar #46 self-tailing mizzen sheet and outhaul with Schaefer cam cleats, two Lewmar #30 self-tailing travelers, a Lewmar

SIROCCO

The interior accommodations of this yacht include five cabins, with two crew quarters located aft and three guest cabins located forward. Upon entering from the aft-cockpit companionway, guests are welcomed into the navigation station area, with captain's quarters on the port side and a Pullman bunk cabin on the starboard side that can accommodate two crew members. These two cabins share a head and shower, conveniently situated just forward of the cabins and next to the navigation station. Moving forward, there is a spacious mechanical room with nearly full headroom, accessible through a large door. To starboard is the pass-through galley, which leads into the grand main salon that takes advantage of the full width of the yacht's beam. The salon features a settee for eight or more people around a large table on the port side, and a second settee bench with a coffee/cocktail table on the starboard side. Continuing forward from the salon, guests will find a comfortable ensuite guest cabin on the starboard side, followed by a luxurious owner's stateroom on the port side with a double berth and ensuite head. The final guest cabin is located all the way forward in a split V-berth format, with two single berths. The domestic and entertainment equipment on board include a Dometic reverse cycle air conditioning system with individual units and controls in each cabin, a 50-gallon Isotemp hot water tank powered by electric and engine cooling loop, a stainless steel built-in refrigerator, a HEM Series 20 water maker that produces 190 liters per hour, a built-in freezer, a Force 10 gimbaled propane stove/oven (new in 2021), cockpit speakers, CD players and radios in the staterooms, salon, and galley, and a 42' Sony flatscreen TV (new in 2021) with antenna and internet capabilities. The electrical system features a Northern Lights generator with 9.5 kVA, a 230 Volt/50 hz shore supply, and various batteries for the house, navigation, engine start, and generator start. The yacht also includes Mastervolt battery chargers, inverters, and alternators. The B&amp;G 5000 series instrument package (new in 2016) includes a depth sounder, speed wheel, radar, wind instruments, multi-displays, and chart plotters, along with an AIS and VHF radio. The sail inventory consists of a fully battened slab-reefing mainsail from Quantum Sails (performance membrane), a Ullman Sails high-clewed Yankee cut furling genoa, a Ullman Sails furling staysail (replaced in 2016), a North Sails tri-sail (new in 2022), a North Sails 1.5 oz gennaker with snuffer, and a North Sails 1.5 oz spinnaker with snuffer, along with a North Sails spinnaker runner. The rigging and deck hardware include stainless steel rod rigging (inspected in 2021), a Reckmann hydraulic furler for the forestay (new in 2021) and cutter stay, a carbon fiber spinnaker pole mounted on the mast, and various Harken winches (two-speed manual for halyards and reefing lines, three-speed hydraulic for halyards and mainsheet, and two-speed manual for runners and mainsheet traveler). The yacht also features a Hall Spars aluminum mast and an Offshore Spars carbon fiber Park Avenue boom (also known as a V-boom) with a built-in sail cover. Other notable features include a CQR anchor with 100 meters of chain, a Lewmar powered windlass, Goiot aluminum deck hatches and portlights, teak decks (in excellent condition), Oyster White Awlgrip hull and topsides, Sunbrella bimini and dodgers for both cockpits (new in 2021), life rafts, an EPIRB, MOB devices (life ring, Lifesling, and pole), a Galerider drogue, numerous PFDs, fire extinguishers, and a comprehensive set of tools in the engine room (new in 2022), as well as spare parts, custom fit passage and storage covers, and custom fitted mattress pads and sheets for all cabins. The owner's personal effects are not included in the sale. This information is accurate to the best of the seller's knowledge at the time of listing.

VENTUROUS

INTRODUCTION  MERLIN is a stand-out member of the Able 44 'Wolf' class of Downeast express cruisers designed by Chuck Paine and built by Able Marine of Northeast Harbor, Maine. As such, she is arguably one of the most stunning craft of this variety on the water today. Period. Her lines and quality of build are in the ‘take your breath away' category and the comfortable ride and performance of the boat - which planes easily at 16 knots and runs effortlessly up to an honest fast cruise of 24 knots - is just amazing. Exterior varnished mahogany and teak abounds with toe rails, eyebrow, handrails, seats and seat backs - and most especially her windshield and transom - along with a gleaming Flag Blue hull all adding to her distinctive look.  MERLIN has been kept current with constant upgrading and improvements over the years including:  a complete repower with larger engines to make the boat faster; removal of the original Herreshoff style interior and updated with beautiful cherry raised-panel joinery; a custom mahogany helm, and custom helm and passenger pedestal seats; low E-tinted pilothouse glass windows (port and stbd); custom accent carpeting for the interior; custom bed covers and sheets; an elaborate set of Sunbrella covers for nearly every varnished surface aboard the boat, exterior and interior soft goods, several generations of electronics etc., etc.  The present owner received the baton a couple of years ago and kept running with it by at once adding variable-speed bow and stern thrusters with the ‘side-hold' feature along with a state-of-the-art Garmin electronics package including GPS plotter with radar, VHF radio, autopilot and AIS. After a first summer cruising the South Coast out of Padanaram on Buzzards Bay he headed south and ended up wintering on the Florida panhandle exploring many new grounds. Come spring he ran MERLIN back up the coast in record time with the engines never missing a beat.  This past winter a refit was undertaken in Bristol, RI, with the entire deck house, foredeck and side decks and large areas in the cockpit and bridge deck being ground down, fiberglassed where necessary and RE-GELCOATED to as-new condition. The bottom was stripped and barrier coated. All the bronze opening ports were removed and re-chromed. The tall sailboat mast which looked good but made a racket at 20+ knots and was smack dab in the middle of the bridge deck seating and flow, was removed. A new bimini top and curtains were installed. Brand new custom carpets were made for the interior to match the existing - which are quite distinctive. And the custom Dyer sailing dinghy (which hangs from custom teak laminated davits), in disrepair when the vessel was purchased by the current owner, was also repaired and restored. Other recent work in 2022 includes a new holding tank system, water heater and Lumishore underwater lights.  Thanks to her drop-dead gorgeous looks and handling, speed and available space/layout on deck MERLIN excels as a dayboat with gobs of seating in a large cockpit and protected bridge deck with room aplenty for a gaggle of family and friends. At the same time, she boasts a very legitimate cruising interior as perfect for a couple as for a family of six complete with a ginormous stall shower, fantastic galley and salon with large convertible table. Bravo!!     MANUFACTURER PROVIDED DESCRIPTION  The Able Wolf Class 44, one of the finest designs to spring from the boards of Paine Yacht Design, has redefined the contemporary Maine express cruiser. Not a replica, she has sweeping lines, a distinctive profile, and a smooth-riding hull. This 44-footer's Downeast origins are evident in the long, graceful profile and prominent, upturned bow. A classic trawler with a sportfisherman's planing hull, the Able 44 combines technology and tradition. Below decks, wood is the dominant material covering the walls and floors. North Carolina cherry is what Able has been using in its cabins for the past 15 years. Unidirectional, biaxial fiberglass with 100-percent vinylester resin is used in the solid-glass hull, and the topsides are balsa-cored, for lightweight durability.      ACCOMMODATIONS  The interior of MERLIN is sheathed and finished in satin varnished American cherry. Elegant raised  panels are found throughout her interior on bulkheads, doors and cabinets. Like many high-caliber Maine-built boats, her cabin sole is also constructed of solid teak and has a classy satin finish as well. Off white overheads with cherry accents and dome lights. Solid cherry handrails and built-in handles in strategic locations for moving about the boat while underway. Royal blue Sunbrella with off white piping on all interior cushions (2017) and her (8) opening port lights provide a bright and cheery interior.     Forward is a generous private stateroom with a 7' long oversized berth (with filler cushion), hanging locker and bureau. The mattresses are custom fitted Tempur-Pedic for the utmost comfort. Two opening ports and large opening overhead hatch (all with screens) provide excellent light and ventilation. Shelving is provided along each berth. Hull stathing in cherry. Storage beneath the berths.    MERLIN is also fully air conditioned. The main salon has very comfortable 7' long settees with 'pilot berths' above and outboard on port and stbd sides. The current owners have removed the cushions from this area (pilot berths) as they use the cherry surface for other purposes. The dining table has a generous leaf that folds down and is built of solid cherry. Overhead is a large hatch and several opening port lights providing additional light and ventilation.  (4) Ocean Frigast reading lamps Stereo control with salon stereo speakers 110v outlets to port  (2) Rod racks under port deck in salon    Moving aft a large U-shaped galley, to starboard and convenient to the companionway, includes a 4-burner stove with oven and broiler. Dual stainless steel sinks and lots of space outboard of stove behind cherry sliding doors holds all plates, glasses etc. The refrigerator and freezer (Grunert cold plate) are aft of the stove and to starboard of the companionway under the countertop.  Sharp microwave oven  Force 10 stainless steel 4-burner propane stove with oven  Grunert cold plate refrigeration box and separate freezer box w/holding plates (new 2013) Double-basin stainless steel sink with single lever control and pull-out sprayer  Under counter large storage locker; outboard cabinets, drawers and under sink storage (2) 110v outlets Opening port and dorade vent  HEAD The head is located to port of the galley and includes a large and truly functional separate stall shower with teak seat, full vanity/sink and electric toilet. New holding tank system (2022). Overhead prism Opening port and dorade vent Push button electric toilet GFCI protected outlets Large cherry framed mirror Teak soles, removable    BRIDGEDECK AND COCKPIT  Walk up three wide steps (storage beneath center step) at an easy angle and arrive at the bridge deck with mahogany helm station to starboard and navigator's seat and desk. To starboard is a custom mahogany helm seat built by Crown Mfg. There are two custom bridge deck settees to port and starboard, large enough for lounging, with storage beneath. Companionway clear Lexan slider with bi-fold companionway doors with louvers for passive ventilation.   The soft top is a traditional 'Toast' Sunbrella color over a permanent stainless steel frame. Side curtains and three-piece aft drop curtains, all canvas new 2022. Stainless handrails the length of the bimini top port and starboard for moving fore and aft on the side decks and strategically placed wood handrails on windshield. The cockpit has an athwartship transom settee with teak accents and teak ladderback with storage beneath and a removable section to access the transom door to starboard for easy access to the teak swim platform.  Exterior fabric is dark Navy Blue Sunbrella (or equivalent) with white code flags pattern with red piping.  Overall, the entire living areas of MERLIN are traditionally elegant and there is more than enough storage for the committed and active cruiser.    MECHANICAL AND ENGINES  (2) Volvo 480hp diesel engines, struts, shafts, bearings and running gear installed in 1999. Engine hours just under 1,500 Sept 2022 (some analogue engine gauges are not functioning). Electronic throttle and shift controls Bow and stern thrusters (new 2021) (thruster battery replaced 2022) Walker air seps & fuel seps installed 2010  Engine room blower ZF Transmissions  H&S 4-blade props (spare set included)  Dual Racor fuel/water separators with vacuum gauges installed at helm  LasDrop dripless shaft seals  Shaft spurs forward of props  Marine Air reverse-cycle air conditioning; new 2013, updated 2022  12-gallon SS hot water heater; summer 2022 Plastic holding tank aft under cockpit sole with macerator pump; installed 2022   ELECTRONICS AND NAVIGATION  New large Garmin GPS Map 7616 plotter installed at helm, 2021 Garmin autopilot, 2021 B&G HS-2 system displays for depth, temp and nav info  Garmin VHF; GHS 10, 2021 AIS, 2021 Synchronizers  Trim tabs   Edson 'Destroyer-type' wheel at helm, elkhide covered  Hydraulic steering  (3) Windshield wipers with freshwater wash  5' Richie compass  Sony stereo with speakers in salon and bridge deck, and iPod connection with Sony Marine RM-x60M remote at helm Bronze barometer mounted above companionway    ELECTRICAL  MERLIN is a 110v AC and 12v DC vessel. She has a Mastervolt breaker panel on bulkhead to starboard of companionway in galley with spare breakers as well.  30-amp shore power service  Heart interface inverter/battery charger  AGM Battery bank for house (new August 2019)  AGM battery for engine and genset star   Westerbeke 8kW generator (1,746 hours, 9/22) (New sound shield 2013)     HULL AND DECK  This design is the original 'Downeast Express Cruiser' and extremely reminiscent and reflective of the old Bunker and Ellis woodies built on Mount Desert Island years ago. The hull shape is a warped 'V' with a very fine forward entry for wave penetration that flattens out to a 7.5 degree deadrise angle at the transom. The result of this design is better performance and fuel economy at lower speeds than a true deep 'V'. A partial skeg provides excellent tracking as well as reasonable protection for the running gear. Biaxial and unidirectional nonwoven fiberglass combines with 100% Vinylester resin throughout the laminate. Baltec end-grain core is included in the topsides and deck, while the bottom is solid fiberglass.  Flag Blue Awlgrip topsides with inset gold cove stripe, single white boot stripe and green bottom. Decks are white with contrasting Moondust nonskid. Mahogany three-panel windshield with center front opening window swoops down to form cockpit coaming boards. Amazing! Mahogany transom with door Custom stainless steel bow rail  Custom spray rails  Custom stainless steel stem head with anchor roller and stainless steel anchor  Lewmar electric anchor windlass Bow chalks inset into toe rail  Custom varnished teak boat hook  (8) Bronze chromed opening port lights (re-chromed 2022) with screens  (4) Dorade vents with stainless cowls; Awlgrip painted white inside. Sliding interior vent closures  (4) Fenders with covers (6) Herreshoff style stainless cleats Assorted dock lines  Extensive assortment of custom canvas covers for interior and exterior wood  Hull paint Flag Blue (2010)   House, decks, and cockpit Awlgrip painted 2011 and largely re-gelcoated, 2022 Exterior varnish stripped to bare wood in 2017 and again in 2022 and built back up with ten coats (2) 10gal aluminum propane tanks stored in separate ventilated lockers  Self-bailing cockpit Hot and cold deck shower  Cockpit storage lockers under coamings Teak bridge deck steps with lift tops and storage beneath Fresh water washdown on foredeck and in cockpit Teak swim platform with telescoping swim ladder beneath Cockpit table Teak staff for bow pennant; teak staff for ensign on transom (2) Deck prisms for pilot berths (nice touch!)    SAILING DINGHY  Cradled in her custom varnished wooden removable stern davits, MERLIN also offers an excellent rowing/sailing tender custom built by Dyer. Whether its exercise or transportation or a fun-filled afternoon of harbor sailing, this gorgeous sailing dinghy is the perfect complement to such a classic Downeast cruising motor yacht.    SAFETY  (3) Electric bilge pump Manual bilge pump Electric horn Fireboy engine room automatic fire extinguisher EPIRB with hydrostatic release, mounted near helm Bimini, windshield, cabin trunk and foredeck handrails Propane shutoff solenoid and sniffer    CLOSING REMARKS  MERLIN is a classic Maine-built boat with lines that every yachtsman admires. She is arguably one of the most stunning lobster-boat inspired express yachts ever built and turns heads everywhere she goes. Crafted by some of the finest boatbuilding talent around, this Able 44 has been extremely well cared for by her owners. Better built, more efficient and individually unique in many ways. We invite your inspection!

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Cherubini 48 Staysail Schooner 1986

Alden Palmer Johnson 78 1984

Southern Wind Farr 72 1998

Able 44 1995

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