SO FONG Yacht for Sale

70' Sparkman & Stephens | 1937 | €989,000

Palma, ES-PM, Spain

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So Fong Yacht Photos Pics Sailing shot So Fong in Palma Bay

So Fong Yacht Photos Pics So Fon at the harbour

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Last updated Dec 17, 2023

So Fong Yacht | 70' Sparkman & Stephens 1937

To say the boat is in pristine condition would be an understatement. The most common phrase associated with 'So Fong' is: “She’s my favourite boat!”

She is the most beautiful Schooner drawn by Olin Stephens in 1937 and built to a very high standard in Hong Kong. The current owner kept her in mint conditions with all maintenance up to date.

Her LWL is 21,43 m and her LOA is 25 m. Some of her very special features are a chimney in the saloon and a spectacular bathtub the head of the master cabin and her Chinese carvings, telling her story of her origin.

A unique opportunity to acquire a spectacular piece of sailing history.

Since her exotic launch in Hong Kong in 1937, through the many adventures she has experienced in far flung corners of the world, right up to her present immaculate condition, she has led an interesting and eventful life.

From the inimitable board of Olin Stephens her sweet lines reflect the original owners’ love of the Cape Cod schooners, so fast and seaworthy. Her charming interior is a tribute to the Chinese craftsmen who painstakingly carved the exquisite panelling in 1937.

Following her purchase by the current owner, 'So Fong' underwent a very substantial refit in Antibes in 2002, marking the beginning of a new phase in her life. Since then based in Mallorca, constantly upgraded, she is the perfect all-rounder - fast, seaworthy, comfortable, and above all, beautiful.

There are very few yachts that can compete with 'So Fong', either on the regatta circuit, or in any otherway.

Denison Yacht Sales is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Flensburger Yacht Service - Office Mallorca.

Denison Yacht Sales offers the details of this yacht in good faith but can’t guarantee the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of this boat for sale. This yacht for sale is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal from that yacht market without notice. She is offered as a convenience by this yacht broker to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a specific yacht for sale.

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So Fong HIGHLIGHTS

Yacht Details: 70' Sparkman & Stephens 1937
Location: Palma, ES-PM, Spain
Engines: Perkins
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2023
Asking Price: €989,000
Max Draft: 9' 10''

So Fong additional information

Specifications

Cruising Speed: 12 kn
Beam: 16' 2''
Hull Material: Wood
Max Draft: 9' 10''
Displacement: 72,752.55 lb
Fuel Tank: 1 x 1000|liter
Fresh Water: 1 x 800|liter
Single Berths: 4
Double Berths: 4
Cabins: 4
Heads: 3

Additional Information

Year: 1937
Refits: 1992 | 1997 | 2001 | 2010 | 2016 | 2020 constant maintenance

Builder: Ah King Yachts in Hong Kong

Dinghi: Wooden classic boat with sail or electric Torquedo engine with 2 batteries.

Anchor: 75 kg
Chain Length: 90 m

Extras:
Electric Winch for the main - new 2016
Bow Thruster MaxProp - new in 2016 Navigation lights
Fusion Radio Bluetooth
Bose Sound System
Hidden projector screen
Chimney, Bathtub
Webasto Air Conditioning
HEM Watermaker
Pasarelle
Gas detector
EPIRB
HMI Marine Silencers

Perkins Sabre Marine Power 185 hp/ 9-10 knots max speed / 800NM

Fully equipped galley for a full time chef
(Bosch Dishwasher, Microwave, Gasstove, Workspace, Fridge, Freezer, Storage)
Included: Dishes, Glasses, Cutlery

Sails
Main 100.93 sqm
Headsail 76,89 sqm
Spinnacker 281.32 sqm
Foresail 89.96 sqm
Escandalosa 13.53 sqm

Accommodation is for up to seven guests in three staterooms plus two daybeds in the saloon.

The commodious master cabin is located aft, equipped with two double beds, ample storage space and a comfortable standing height. The full beam master features an en-suite charming bathroom with a gorgeous bathtub, luxury fittings and Blakes toilet. The chinese carvings in the master cabin are very detailed and a lovely reminder of her unrivalled history. Psst, there is a secret door to the guest cabin above the bathtub….

The secretly connected port cabin has two single bunks, the starboard cabin has a spacious single bunk. A couple could snuggle as well. The classy head with shower is located on starboard. All toilets are classic Blakes toilets.

In the spacious saloon are two more beds on each side, for cosy nights at the chimney or to be used as daybeds.

The crew cabins are located at the bow, with four berths and a separate head with shower. Direct access to the galley and technical compartment.

Saloon with its great table, a writing desk, day loungers above the buttoned-leather settees and lots of storage. Most important feature is the chimney, for cosy nights at anchor.

Her dinghy is a cute wooden sailboat, also to be used with its Torqueedo electric engine.

So Fong has the characteristic dorade vents - three each on side of her decks, taking air down below to keep everyone cool and to aerate the boat.

History

So Fong was built for A. Thornton Baker, a New Jersey Banker who wanted a boat to sail around theworld with his two sons.. Baker was no novice yachtsman and reportedly owned 10 boats beforehaving So Fong designed.

He went to Olin Stephens of Sparkman & Stephens in New York, who has already designed ‘Brilliant‘ in 1932 and so developed some of his ideas from her into So Fong. She was built for crusing, and shewas also given enough speed to be suitable for ocean racing. The owner has been impressed with thework of the yard of Ah King Slipway, founded in 1890 in Hong Kong, and at the same time takingadvantage of a shipment of teak that washed up sunk in Cogswell Bay.

So Fong was planked of teak, with yacal used tor the keel, stem, deadwood and frames. Decks and deckhouses are of teak while her deck beams, shelf and panelling are camphor. Her two masts and spars, made of hollow Sitka spruce, were shipped over from Abeking & Rasmussen in Germany.

Her building took seven months - with some 250 local craftsman variously emploved over the period. Her 30,000lb (13,608kg) lead keel was said to be the largest at that time ever to be cast in Hong Kong.

She sailed around the globe and arrived in the United States in April 1938 after 30.000 miles - her bestday's run has been 215 nautical miles.

During the Second World War So Fong served in the US Coast Guard. It was not until after the war that the two-master was competitively raced, winning regattas from 1936-1946.

Afterwards she went back to the Pacific and there she was accused of being a spy vessel and captured by Vietnamese authorities in 1984, being found suspicious due to her high tech navigation equipment.. There she was on anchor before discovered in 1990 by Robert Verschoyle, a classic enthusiast, restoring her over 11 month in Saigon before having to escape by sailing out late at night, as the Vietnamese would not give her permission to leave.

She spent two two years in Phuket, returned to the Med for a few years before the Canadian Mark Maclean began restoring her in 2000 in Antibes.

Refit And Maintenance

When the actual owner bought So Fong in Antibes, she already underwent a very substantial refit by Dan Wilkin from 2000 – 2002, marking the beginning of a new phase in her life.

Since then based on Mallorca, constantly upgraded, she is the perfect all-rounder - fast, seaworthy,comfortable, and above all, beautiful. There are very few yachts that can compete with So Fong, eitheron the regatta circuit, or in any other way.

A detailed description of the work is available.

All new systems were fitted: plumbing, electrics, fridges, heads, freezer, pumps… to new engine bearers. She got varnished and painted plus she got a new gaff rigging made. She has been bermudan rigged on her mainmast before.

In 2016:
New installed bow thruster MaxProp
Onan Generator
Meissner electric winch for the Main
Webasto Heating/Airconditioning

In 2021:
New sails
All mast varnishing and rigging work done

Constant maintenance on a very high level with no expenses spared by an experienced boat carpenter and captain, who are taking care of the Owners Classic Fleet.