26' Burt Downeast Cruiser (1952) - KITTIWAKE

Kittiwake is one of the last remaining Erford Burt Bass Boats, built in 1952 in Vineyard Haven, Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Burt was one of the most prolific and well respected boat builders on the Island at the time.
Elizabeth Meyer, well known for instigating the restoration of the J-Class, bought her in 1991. She hired Gannon & Benjamin to completely rebuild her. Also located in Vineyard Haven, G&B are renowned in the wooden boat world for their designs and craftsmanship. Everything was replaced except the centerline skeg keel. She now has carvel planked cedar on the topsides and carvel planked Wana below the waterline, a new stem, bent oak frames and oak floor timbers. The decks are plywood covered with Dynel saturated in epoxy. The superstructure, designed by G&B, was added at this time and gives her an elegant Downeast look with G&B’s signature details. It is built of mahogany with plywood cabin tops also covered in Dynel.
She was completely rewired in 1992 and the engine was rebuilt. She is powered by a GM Marine 250 straight 6-cylinder gasoline engine.
I am probably her 5th owner. Her previous owner was a cabinet maker in Vineyard Haven. She is ideal for local waters and cruises at a gentlewoman’s pace of 10-12kts with a max speed of 14kts.