The Sea Sprite 34 (as well as the 28′ and 30′) was designed by world-class yacht designer Bill Luders and built by the C.E. Ryder Corp., Bristol, Rhode Island. The design goal was a vessel with comfortable accommodations and a safe stable motion, all in a vessel that could really move. During that era, and with its long water line, cutaway forefoot, and substantial displacement, combined with generous sail area, the Sea Sprite 34 succeeded brilliantly. In 1983, the Sea Sprite 34 finished first in her class in the Marblehead-Halifax race, fourth in the Annapolis-Newport race, second and third in Off-Soundings, and first in the Southern Cross 1-2 race. Sea Sprites of all sizes have also completed numerous circumnavigations.

The Sea Sprite 34 can either accommodate a crew of six for a race to Bermuda or a couple with all the necessary voyaging possessions. But performance is more than winning races, it is the whole package. And above all, it’s feeling comfortable and safe in all conditions. Her owners love the way she sails fast in light air because of her larger than factory sail-plan. And they’ve experienced her sea-keeping characteristics in gales and large seas and can attest that they’ve always felt secure and safe aboard her. Aesthetically, they love staring back at her long elegant lines every time they row away.

This particular Sea Sprite 34 is incredibly special. Her original owner was intimately involved during the entire build process and specified many structural and performance upgrades as well as significant custom interior quality and design enhancements. The interior teak joinery is exquisite, with all cabinetry work performed after hours by skilled local woodworkers; most of which were from the nearby Hinckley shop. As a result, the richness and quality of the interior are unmatched even among more expensive vessels. There is accessible storage everywhere, with beautiful drawers and labor-intensive rounded corners to avoid injury during passages. The unique table is a work of art. The furniture is all glassed into the hull and forms a monolithic structure, the way furniture on a Valiant or a BCC is built. He ordered an extra schedule of laminate added to her hull, and her mast section is sized larger and is one foot taller than standard to further improve her strength and performance. She is also a masthead rig instead of the typical fractional rig. As far as we know, she is the only Sea Sprite 34 upgraded to this level of construction. That's why 10 years ago her current (and only second) owners chose her above all others. Once they recognized the significance of the upgrades and saw the custom interior, they could not look at another vessel. It was that simple.

Her first owner equipped the vessel for voyaging and traveled from Maine to Florida and the Bahamas. Her current owners bought her ten years ago and continuously upgraded her for their anticipated voyage. They bought her everything from lee cloths and screens to a suite of sails, wind generator, and solar panel, as well as radar, wind-vane, chart plotter, and windlass. They did a Delmarva circumnavigation and have enjoyed the Chesapeake Bay. Merike has been well loved and lightly used on the Chesapeake Bay for many years. She has enjoyed the best of care and attention as you can see from the long list of upgrades.

•            Doyle Full Batten DuraSail Mainsail & StackPac--2008

•            Tides Marine Track & Slide System --2008

•            Cape Horn Windvane

•            Lofrans Project 1000 Windlass w/ foredeck foot switches and cockpit remote

•            Custom anchor platform with bollards and chain stopper

•            22 Gal holding tank/hose/y-valves--2012

•            Holding tank monitor--2012

•            Canvas Creations dodger and full cover--2009

•            75' chain anchor rode

•            Two AGM Batteries

•            TruCharge 40amp battery charger

•             Two electric bilge pumps with dual level switches

•            Bilge pump counter/tester/alarm

•            Garmin GPSMAP 500 series (Nav station or cockpit)

•            Link 10 battery monitor

•            New galley plumbing, valves, and pump

•            Isotemp hot water heater

•            Pressure hot/cold freshwater & cockpit shower

•            Groco deck washdown pump

•            ICOM IC-M412 VHF radio

•            ICOM remote CommandMic in the cockpit

•            Forespar "line control" whisker pole

•            Two electric fans

•            Schaefer boom vang

•            Full PVC Framed winter cover

These vessels are built solid and beautiful, with classic lines, a wineglass transom, and a beautiful sheer line. They are a "Timeless Classic." Maybe that's why Cruising World described the Sea Sprite as one of the best sailing vessels ever built.

Features and Upgrades:

• Lazyjacks
• Stackpack fitting upgrade & restitching
• House batteries
• Starter Battery
• Bilge pump and 2 new float switches
• Sunbrella cockpit cushions
• Restitched and replaced the glass on Dodger
• New full winter cover (4 years old)
• New lines for mainsheet and traveler
• New horseshoe buoy