Little Vigilant Project
Little Vigilant
70′ Steel-Hulled Motor Sailor
Little Vigilant, a 70 ft. steel-hulled motor sailor, was built by Abeking and Rasmussen in Germany. Launched in 1950, she has the lines of a classic Maine sardine carrier but her interior, rig and deck layout were designed for cruising. For 13 years, she said the Black Sea, Greek Isles, Scandinavia and the inland waterways of Europe. Her New England charm received admiration at every port. Then this beautiful boat was sold and put in a shed for over forty years.
In 2005, her new owner shipped her to the US for a complete restoration. Towed up from New York to the Fairhaven Shipyard, call!” NorEast Marine oversaw the complete job including the interior carpentry. As is their way, NorEast called in various sub-con-tractors. “They connected me with really good subs and I appreciated the freedom to work with other people directly without any upcharge,” says Rich Armstong, owner of Little Vigilant. “NorEast made this restoration a fun experience for me. They wanted her to be a showcase and she is!”
NOREAST OVERSAW THE TOTAL REFIT INCLUDING:
- Installed new water maker
- New domestic water system – grey, black, & fresh
- New refrigeration
- New seven-zone crash-proof air handling system
- New generator
- New fuel polishing system
- New electronics, navigation package and autopilot
- New design and installation of electrical system
- Fire prevention system and on deck fire hydrant
- Hydraulics for bow thruster and anchor windlass
- Repainted complete interior
- Interior carpentry
- Re-caulked deck
“For 4 months in Tortola we never tied up to a dock. We made our own water and used our generator. Everything worked perfectly and we didn’t make one service call!”
– RICH ARMSTRONG,
owner Little Vigilant