Vessel Owner: Lars and Peter Forsberg
Vessel Designer: John G. Alden
Builder: Hodgdon
Vessel Type: Schooner
Year Built: 1934
LOA: 47' 6"
LWL: 35' 8"
SPIRIT (formerly DISCOVERY III and VELA) is a sister-ship to John Alden’s MALABAR IV which won the Bermuda Race in 1923.
Built at Hodgdon Brothers in Boothbay Harbor in 1934. Her hull is double planked with cedar and mahogany. Her spars are Sitka spruce.
The Lars acquired the boat in October 1987 as the third owner/custodian.
SPIRIT (VELA) was moored in Boothbay Harbor for many years under the ownership/care of Renne Miller.
During Lars' time as the caretaker, SPIRIT has undergone three major restorations:
In the Winter of 1987 and 1988 Rockport Marine (Rockport, ME) installed a new engine (replacing the original Scripps 4 cylinder gas engine), wooded the hull, replace the chainplates, replaced the electrical system and replaced the plumbing system.
In 1992 SPIRIT was hauled in Stonington, CT and underwent a significant structural upgrade including the installation of new bronze floors, new frame heels and a new main mast step. To accomplish these tasks, the interior was removed. After the structural repairs were completed, the interior was returned to the original design.
In 2019 SPIRIT was trucked to Baltic Boat Works, in Bristol, RI and underwent more structural repairs including removing the iron floors forward and replacing them with bronze floors, installing new frame heels, installing a new teak deck, rebuilding the transom and refinishing the interior.
The standing rigging for the foremast was replaced in 2022 and the standing rigging for the main mast was replaced in 2023.
Many other projects and upgrades have been accomplished during our 36 years of ownership. Our goal has always been to keep the boat as original as possible.
