Short Story of a Long Restoration

The restoration of this Marlin began back in 1971 by Dr. Jim Gunn along with a written account at the bottom of a repair list that she would be "ready to launch". At the time, the boat was a worn-out Marlin 18 (Rhodes) from the training fleet at the Little Traverse Yacht Club. By further account of Doc Gunn's family members, the Marlin became somewhat of a lawn ornament on their cottage property located in Horton Bay on Lake Charlevoix. Year after year, Doc Gunn gave her little attention as she rested winter and summer under a barrage of tarps. In early 2000's, Doc Gunn now in his early 70's, committed himself to fixing up the Marlin thus bringing her back to Grand Rapids to restore. Yet, with time catching up with him, Calvin College students were hired to help with restoration being his muscle and labor. It is evident that the restoration and launch of the Marlin, along with the dream of sailing her across the big lake to Green Bay, WI helped inspire Doc Gunn throughout the remainder of his life, passing in 2018 on the cusp of his 94th birthday. The current owners are dreamers as well, and in the autumn of 2018 their eyes first fell upon the Marlin, which at the time was a fiberglass over wooden hull with dilapidated deck frame, along with a menagerie of boat parts that were all

entombed inside a dusty old boat garage.

Over these past 8 or so years, the new owners have cherished the quiet sanctuary and grace this boat possesses. In Dr. Gunn's spirit, and all those who have sailed her, they have now completed their part to bring this Marlin back into light and she is now ready to launch. With its combination New England-style open deck configuration, and LTYC sail and rigging, the "Mari 'elle" is a true hybrid of Philip Rhodes original two distinctive design platforms intended for the Marlin 18 hull.

Original Construction Specifications

The Marlin 18 is planked with 7/16" Philippine mahogany fastened to White oak frames with hot dipped galvanized screws. The stern and keel are also of White oak and the ballast is a 430 pound iron shoe bolted through a wooden fin. The decks were covered with Masonite pressed wood with the rough side up, instead of with canvas.

Equipment and Improvements

• Varnished wood planked deck
• Varnished wood splash guard and cockpit coamings
• Varnished wood tiller
• Varnished wood cockpit benches
• Varnished wood grate cockpit floor
• Varnished wood mast and booms
• Varnished wood transom
• Main sail, jib and spinnaker
• Standing and running rigging
• Wood and brass blocks and hardware
• Mast supports for trailering
• Painted White hull sides
• Red boot stripe
• Blue bottom paint
• Single-axle galvanized trailer with jack-stands

Disclaimer

The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.