History
The Sailing Vessel Land’s End, appropriately named for the Baja, has a rich history going back to Designer, Robert Perry. Perry was commissioned to design the Hans Christian 34 but prior to construction; the Hans Christian Yacht Co. Owner decided the market dictated a 36’ vessel to remain competitive. The design was stretched by two feet at the Union Ship Yard in Taipei without the knowledge of Robert Perry. The legal battle prior to the first US delivery forced the name change from the Hans Christian 36 to the Union Polaris 36. Nonetheless, she is a Bob Perry designed blue water cruising yacht with classic traditional lines, a full keel double ender with simple and balanced cutter rigging. Land’s End is as comfortable in heavy blue water seas as she is tied to the docks as a live-aboard or a weekend getaway/mobile condo.
The current owners acquired Land’s End in Long Beach California in 2000 where she was hauled out for an extensive mechanical and rigging overhaul. Upon completion, she was trucked to Lake Mead near Las Vegas, Nevada for extensive sea trials to determine the extent of the planned renovation to near new condition.
While docked at the Las Vegas Marina, the crew was interviewed for an article that appeared in Sailing Magazines, Special 35th Anniversary Issue, September 2001. The article was entitled “Baja, Without the Salt”, a quote from the Captain.
A suitable warehouse was located on Flamingo Blvd., a few blocks from the famous Las Vegas Strip. Albeit 4 in the morning when the majority of the strip occupants are Losers and Hookers, the Sailing Vessel Land’s End actually took a short rolling cruise down the Las Vegas Strip. Delivered by truck to a pre constructed rolling cradle, a crane picked her off the truck and she was rolled into the warehouse.
During the nearly one year renovation, she was stripped of all stainless and bronze fittings that were polished and prepared for refitting.
The teak decks and trim were re-caulked and over 2000 new stainless screws, nuts, bolts and teak wood plugs were replaced. The butterfly and deck hatches were removed and rebuilt with Lexon glass.
Interior finish included new headliner with Formica above the Galley and Head, Soft Vinyl above the settee and carpet in the sleeping Berths. Galley Counter tops were replaced with custom made ½ inch Hard Rock Maple Butcher Block. The Chart and Settee tables, Head counter tops and backsplashes were replaced with Corian. Interior cushions were replaced with new marine grade foam and Sunbrella cloth and canvas. Wiring, plumbing and lighting were all upgraded with USCG approved materials and installation practices. Navigation and communication equipment was installed with, at the time, top of the line marine electronics.
September Eleventh altered the Crews plan to take her on the “Baja Ha Ha voyage south and instead trucked her to New Orleans, Louisiana. Within hours of arriving at the boat yard, she encountered her first of many Hurricanes, crab pot floats and extremely shallow bayou waters. Never hard aground, but her 5’ 8” keel was tickled often by Louisiana Mud. After a year in New Orleans, Land’s End Voyaged south with several months in Everglade City, Tarpen Springs, Sarasota and a 6 month hiatus in Key West. She came to rest in Marco Island Florida, a preferred Hurricane Hole, as the Crew had to abandon ship to return to Las Vegas to replenish the Adventure Fund.
In 2006, with the Adventure Cookie Jar near full, the Crew decided to complete the original plan to take Land’s End to her namesake waters, the Sea of Cortez. She hitchhiked a ride on the top of a container ship, compliments of Yacht Path Yacht Transporters for a dry voyage from Ft. Lauderdale, via the Panama Canal to La Paz, Mexico. Several years docked at Marina Palmira, she was hauled out and currently on the hard deck in the adjacent Atalanta Boat Yard awaiting her new Crew.
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