We are proud to present BLUE STAR, that is not only the finest Little Harbor 53, but also one of the stars in the movie 'Failure to Launch', starring Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker. 

Designed by Ted Hood and built in the Lien Hwa shipyard in Taiwan, the Little Harbor line of sailing yachts was built for comfortable offshore sailing with top quality construction and pedigree. The cockpit is designed for single-handed sailing, with all controls easily reached from the helm. Inside, the generous beam and hull design lead to an interior that feels like a much larger yacht, providing exceptional living and storage space. Ideal for shallow waters, she features a deep, efficient centerboard that increases draft to 11'-4" when lowered.

Built in 1988 and commissioned in 1989 BLUE STAR has only had three owners, the first for 15 years and the past owners for the past 17, and under 1 year with the current owner. Her second owner kept her maintained by the same boat yard, the same engineer, and the same varnish / cosmetics expertise during their ownership. During the past 9 months Blue Star received yet another refit which included a repower with a new Yanmar engine and transmission, new B&G electronics, Starlink, new Spectra watermaker, electric heads and more. In just the past year $250,000 has been invested and in the past two years about $500,000. 

She's never been chartered, and during her second ownership BLUE STAR was kept in her own private slip in Oxford, MD on the Chesapeake Bay when in season. In the past year BLUE STAR was kept in Vineyard Haven during the season and this past winter she cruised the US Virgin Islands before returning to the Chesapeake for sale. BLUE STAR has cruised the US East Coast and the Caribbean, and when not cruising south she has been kept protected by her full canvas winter cover.

Below decks BLUE STAR's layout is especially focused on safety and offshore blue water sailing. All berths are equipped with lee cloths, the salon is designed to take full advantage of space, with a large curved dinette table and all safety reaches never out of arms distance. The aft owner's cabin has two oversized sea berths that each approach the size of a double bed with extra length.

BLUE STAR sleeps six in three private staterooms, each with private head and shower. Starting forward there is a large storage area/bosun's locker with workbench and deck access. Aft of the forepeak are two identical guest staterooms, each with over/under berths and separate heads, including showers. Each cabin has a full cedar-lined hanging locker, several drawers, large lockers, opening ports, opening hatches and fans over each berth. Winter and summer custom fitted coverlets and sheets and monogrammed towels are available for each cabin. Two sets of fitted coverlets for each berth; one cream colored and the other a rich patterned winter coverlet, fitted sheets. monogrammed linens include towels, pillows, shams (with a monogram of Blue Star's design), napkins, glasses, stationery, and more.

Paramount Pictures selected BLUE STAR to be featured as the sail boat in 'Bristol' condition for its movie, 'Failure to Launch' starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey. This selection was made after the Governor's Office for Tourism referred their call to several boat yards and much competition from visited yachts resulted in BLUE STAR's selection. This selection speaks to the pristine condition of the yacht. BLUE STAR's role resulted in signed logs by Sarah and Matthew; one extra, transparent Bimini; and one set of new 'blue' cockpit cushions (desire of the Director, but in the end BLUE STAR's white cushions were chosen).

Please see the refit details in the Full Specifications

2022 - 2023 Refit

• Perfected Gel Coat and re-painted Blue Star top sides (Awlgrip Flag Blue), Boot Stripe (Cloud White), replaced as original-Gold foil name (red outlined) on stern, coach roof (Oyster White), non-skid (Moon Dust). Repaired, sanded, painted small areas of fiberglass found under/near old teak decks
• Replaced original teak decks with new teak decks by Teak Decking Systems
• Hard sanded bottom paint to the barrier coat (originally placed in 2011 re-fit). No blisters have ever been found on Blue Star. Two coats of new, red bottom paint, Micron CSC, were applied
• Polished mast and boom (recently re-painted so only waxing/polishing needed)
• Serviced and refurbished generator: removed and cleaned heat exchanger; placed new hoses and zincs
• Replaced all 50 bolts for Genoa tracks
• Replaced all rod rigging and running rigging, M Yacht Services, Annapolis
• New dodger and bimini by Quantum Sails Annapolis

2023 - 2024 Refit

• Repowered main engine with new Yanmar 110HP and transmission
• Replaced electronics with new B&G
• Replaced watermaker with new Spectra
• Replaced marine heads with new (2 electric, 1 manual)
• Replaced aft holding tank with new
• Replaced lifelines with new
• Replaced primary anchor with new Mantus 85lb
• Added new Highfield tender and Yamaha 25HP outboard

2022 Refit Details

• Perfected Gel Coat and re-painted Blue Star top sides (Awlgrip Flag Blue), Boot Stripe (Cloud White), replaced as original-Gold foil name (red outlined) on stern, coach roof (Oyster White), non-skid (Moon Dust). Repaired, sanded, painted small areas of fiberglass found under/near old teak decks.
• Replace teak decks with new teak decks by Teak Decking Systems
• Refurbished center board and installed new cable and replaced/refurbished all related mechanisms
• Re-chromed all fittings that were not stainless, primarily windlass
• Hard sanded bottom paint to the barrier coat (originally placed in 2011 re-fit). To our knowledge, no blisters have ever been found on Blue Star. Two coats of new, red bottom paint, Micron CSC, were applied 
• Polished mast and boom (recently re-painted so only waxing/polishing needed)
• Refurbished Boom Vang, all new seals placed
• Toe rail taken down to bare wood and varnish built to look as original; eyebrow varnished, 10 coats
• Serviced and refurbished engine and generator: removed and cleaned heat exchangers; placed new hoses and zincs; replaced valve cover gasket, main engine
• Replaced hose clamps on shaft transmission to prop
• Placed new sheaves and turning blocks for genoa and spinnaker sails
• Replaced all 50 bolts for Genoa track
• Replaced all rod rigging and running rigging, M Yacht Services, Annapolis
• Additional Upgrades performed by MYacht Services, AnnapolisServiced all winches
• Cleaned mast step and mast heel
• Boom vang toggle (hole was elongated)
• Serviced main furler swivel
• Serviced main furler top bearing (neoprene cover for top cap)
• Service Genoa furler and swivel
• Installed new LED Tri-anchor light
• Replaced Windex-Installed new VHF antenna
• Serviced furler drum
• Installed new spreader leather boots
• Installed new LED spreader lights
• Replaced deck light
• Replaced SSB coax cable
• Replaced wooden mast chocks with Spartite
• Rebuilt spinnaker pole ends
• Serviced and repainted mast furling electric motor

2012 Refit Details

In 2012 BLUE STAR had a comprehensive refit. The following items were replaced, repaired and refinished: 

• All electrical wires replaced
• Plumbing lines replaced
• Fuel tanks polished
• Refrigeration replaced, insulation for freezer replaced, teak covering freezer, and new refrigerator door handles
• Espar heating system replaced, and lines were replaced as well
• Three heads/toilets replaced
• All hatch and port light lenses, including Lexan hull ports were replaced (2012)
• All gaskets replaced (and continue to be maintained annually to ensure that there are no leaks whatsoever)
• Solar powered vent installed in stern lockers to ensure no dampness
• New curtains for port lights, screens for hatches and ports
• New Awlgrip including topsides (Captain's Navy Blue), coach roof (Oyster White with Moon Dust treads), spars (Cloud White)
• New larger-diameter safety lines

Electrical

• Westerbeke 8 kW generator with 1470 hours
• 12V ship's system on two separate battery banks (2019)
• (8) Trojan 950 ah, 125 module (6 volt in series) house batteries (2019)
• (2) 8D Diehard engine/gen starting, 12V batteries (2019)
• New generator battery (2019)
• (2) 8D Gel cell batteries for bow thruster (2018)
• Pro Mariner 50 amp, dual output battery charger
• Heart Interface 1500 watt inverter to supply 110 volt power
• 125 amp alternator for engine/gen start and thruster
• 125 amp alternator for house
• Blue Seas Automatic Charging Relays
• Custom Bass electrical panel
• (5) 110 volt outlets below deck and one in cockpit
• 25' and 50' shore power cords (50 amp)

Electronics & Navigation

Entertainment Electronics: 

• Stereo System: Fusion MS-RA670 stereo
• Speakers: Multiple speakers up and down
• Televisions: Two LCD TVs with VCR and DVD / Shakespeare TV antenna 2030
• New flat screen TV in salon recesses when not in use
• Additional flat TV screen in master cabin
• Antennas:
• Mast top: (2) VHF antennas to nav station and cockpit / (2) Wind direction indicators; (1) wired to B&G system
• Top port spreader/cell phone antenna with LRM400 cable to nav station
• First starboard spreader: Giro compass antenna
• Port aft mount: Satellite phone
• Dodger mount: Satellite radio antenna

Navigation Electronics: 

• VHF: (2) Standard Horizon & Icom-IC-M424G with CommandMic in cockpit (2023 Icom)
• Radar: Simrad HALO 24 (2023)
• Chartplotters: B&G Zeus 3s 12" at nav station and 16" in cockpit (2023)
• Hailer: Standard 8-30W VLH-300 loud hailer with auto fog signal
• Autopilot: B&G NAC-3 (2023)
• Instruments: B&G Nemesis 12" touchscreen at companionway (2023)
• Compasses: Sailcomp digital compass at nav station w/ displays port and stbd in the cockpit and Ritchie pedestal mount
• Cellular Phone: Cell phone antenna with LMR400 cable with Wilson amplifier
• SSB Radio: SSB Sea 322
• AEC
• Lightning rod on mast

Engine & Mechanical

• Kobelt single-lever engine controls
• Spurs line cutter on prop shaft
• Maxprop propeller
• Oil transfer pump for engine and genset
• Automatic fire extinguisher system in engine room
• Espar cabin heater
• Marine Air 10kW unit for owner's quarter (2008), and 16 kW unit for salon and forward cabins (2008)
• Wesmar 12-volt, twin prop DPC-8E, 8" bow thruster
• Spectra watermaker (2023)
• High water bilge alarm
• Jabsco Par electric bilge pump
• Rule 2500 gph electric bilge pump
• (2) Edson manual diaphragm bilge pumps
• Exhaust fans in galley and in heads
• Fuel and water tank gauges
• Fans over each berth: (2) in main salon, (1) in galley

Sails & Rigging

All sail handling functions designed for singlehanded operation by the helmsman with all controls for sail handling at helm station. 

SAILS

• Doyle Stoway main sail
• Doyle 130% genoa, 'crescent cut' Spectra with foam luff pad and reinforcements for reefing system
• Hood MPS sail with sock
• Full spinnaker package - pole, butt hoist, topping lift, foreguy, pole storage on mast, (2) sheets, (1) block and internal halyard with side winder pole light
• Gail River sea drogue sail
• Hood storm tri-sail

RIGGING

• Electric Hood Stoway
• Stoway spars, repainted Awlgrip Cloud White (2012)
• Spare (second) Stoway motor
• Double primary turning blocks
• Staysail package - inner forestay with quick release, runners, halyard, sheets and blocks
• Running backstays
• Navtec hydraulic boom vang
• Navtec insulated backstay with 'fail-safe' turnbuckles and 2-function panel in cockpit
• Storm trysail track with block and halyard
• Harken Mark III furling headstay system
• Spreader lights
• Tri-color light on masthead
• Anchor light

Construction Details

Hand-laid fiberglass hull with Airex foam core construction. Molded in fiberglass fuel and water tanks and centerboard trunk. Internal cast-lead ballast. Hand-laid fiberglass deck and Divinycell core construction and 5/8" teak overlay. Varnished teak exterior trim with highest quality stainless steel portlights, (9) hatches, (9) cowl vents. Teak rub rails fastened to hull with stainless steel striker. (2) deck prisms. Centerboard is foil shaped for enhanced performance upwind. Centerboard configuration offers a minimum draft of 5'-6" with board up, and a maximum draft of 11' 4" with board down. Centerboard pennant recently replaced. 

Cockpit & Canvas

• Cockpit table, seats six with extension
• Closed-cell foam cockpit cushions
• Cockpit table cover
• Cockpit light
• Custom dodger with elkhide-covered grab bar (2022)
• Bimini with full side enclosure (2022)
• Redesigned, oversized diameter steel frames for Bimini and Dodger for added seaworthiness
• Full Eisenglass cockpit enclosure with doors
• Two awnings from mast forward (permitting hatches to be kept open)
• Full bow-to-stern Stamoid awning, allowing all hatches to be kept open for shade while at the dock or on the hook
• Full sun cover - bow to stern- for comfort when moored
• Textilene mosquito net enclosure for sun shade in cockpit
• Sun curtain for the aft cockpit area
• Leather steering wheel cover
• Custom canvas winter cover
• Custom turnbuckle covers
• Outboard motor cover
• Canvas life raft cover
• Storage covers for all exterior teak, hatches, and winches - only eyebrow and toerail are not covered
• Canvas delivery covers for all upholstery and cabin soles
• Full winter canvas cover for winter storage

Deck Equipment

• Nilsson V-1000 windlass with chain stopper
• Mantus 85# anchor (2023) with chain and rode
• Danforth 60# with rode
• CAR 60# anchor with 3/8" chain
• Highfield tender with outboard (2023)
• Stainless steel stern davit for outboard
• Varnished teak outboard mount
• Lensref radar reflector
• Lifelines, heavy mooring lines with bridle
• Saltwater anchor wash
• Teak pulpit seat
• Fresh water washdown on stern
• Fold-down stern swim ladder
• 3-step side boarding ladder (for port and stbd)
• (2) Boat hooks with adapters for gaff and scrub brushes
• Fender boards
• (2) Dock lines; jack lines
• Recent large custom top-line New Zealand stainless steel propane gas grill
• New stern dinghy davits, designed from 1.25 steel
• Monogrammed navy fenders - (4) large, (6) medium, (6) small
• Monogrammed gray fenders - (2) large
• International flag kit
• Dress ship's flag kit
• Several large American flags for flying from stern or from the back stay
• Teak flag pole for stern - perfectly maintained

Safety

• Givens 6-person life raft with hydrostatic release, packed with own EPIRB
• (2) ACR 406, RLB 32 EPIRBS with hydrostatic release
• Emergency tiller steering
• Lee cloths for all berths
• Life Sling new
• Horseshoe life rings
• Type 1 life jackets
• 'Abandon ship' bag
• Flares
• Fog bell
• Medical kit
• International Flags
• (4) Hand-held fire extinguishers

Additional Units

• 2023 Highfield

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.

Listing MLS by Yachtr.com

ENGINES