What better way to start the new year than with an incredible picture of David Satter’s early-style Mariner WILDFLOWER at anchor in the fall as the sun sets. Known for years as #735 PROXIMUS and featured in this column back in 2016 and again in 2021, David’s complete refurbishment of her is nothing short of absolutely remarkable, and she looks nothing like her former self. Her true hull number is a bit of a mystery as she is missing her identification tag and another Mariner has since turned up with the ID plate of #735. Regardless, her custom mahogany companionway doors, cabin mahogany ceiling strips, rebuilt V-berth, custom tiller, short bowsprit for an anchor, and stunning paint and varnish set her apart from most all other Mariners. Currently for sale, her next owner will be buying not only a fantastic sailboat but a gorgeous showpiece.

Scott Nelson sails #3582 SWEET in the last whispers of wind as the sun sets off Little Cranberry Island, Maine. Scott writes that it was a “beautiful light air day to Isleford, Wabanaki homelands. A month ago we sailed in 30-knot gusts & SWEET handled it beautifully with a double-reefed main. The light air performance with regulation sails was just as impressive. Paddling Sweet into an Acadian sunset was magical. Best boat I've owned.” Located just southeast of Mount Desert Island, both Little Cranberry and Great Cranberry Islands are incredibly picturesque and provide stunning views of Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain. Great Cranberry is only about two miles long by one mile wide with around 40 year-round residents, although that number swells to about 300 additional seasonal residents during the summer. Both islands are only accessible by boat, and what better boat to use than a Mariner?

Skipper Chris Duncan and crew Don Hahl sail #1048 on the Delaware River during the 2009 Mariner Nationals. That year, light winds plagued the race course at Riverton Yacht Club, and only three races were sailed instead of the usual six. As fellow Mariner racer Ralph Hall later wrote, “After postponing the first race, the winds picked up and racing commenced with a scattered start. As the [second] race progressed and the wind died, the tide became the main force to contend with – several boats were pushed into the marks as they attempted to round. An attempt was made to start the third race, but the lack of wind forced the decision to end racing for the day. Sunday’s wind conditions were even worse than Saturday’s. With the strength of the tide, anchors became an important part of racing strategy, and the time limit was reached before several boats were able to finish the course. Rather than prolong the agony, the Race Committee made the decision to discontinue racing for the day.” Despite the challenging conditions, Chris and Don finished fourth overall out of 22 boats. This year’s Nationals will be taking place once again at Riverton Yacht Club, the seventh time hosting the event since they started doing so in 1998.