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Home of s/v Chase and Chase Charters

Chase, a boat with a pedigree.

Chase is a Swan 40, designed by Sparkman and Stephens and built in Finland. Nautor's Swans are regarded as one of the finest sailing yachts available, and there are only a few like her in New England.

During her early life in the Great Lakes, she acquired an impressive racing record. She was later purchased by the actor Christopher Reeve (of Superman fame), who sailed her in New England for many years.

All of Chase's gear and accommodations underwent a total refit in 2002. The work – which included all new electrical, plumbing, instrumentation, rigging, structural improvements, engine rebuild, etc. - was performed by professionals at the Landing Boat School's Systems Program. The result is a classic boat that is in brand-new condition. The present owner's love of sailing and classic boats is reflected in the attention to detail that's been used in fitting her with the finest gear. His extended experience in coastal and offshore sailing means Chase's equipment is functional, sturdy, and practical – and that it always works.

Chase is outfitted and rigged for all conditions. For instance: all running rigging runs to the cockpit, there's a windlass for easy anchoring, and reefing is a snap. She’s been modernized with large battery capacity, a high-output alternator, an autopilot, and a powerful inverter/charger. Her sails are of recent vintage, she has a folding prop, and she drives like a Cadillac!

Chase is laid out for the most discriminating of tastes, while maintaining distinct attention to her classic traditions. You’ll find everything - from her ultra-suede cushions, to her well cared-for paint and brightwork - to be in the Bristol condition that she (and her passengers) deserve.

The Chase Partnership

Chase was originally purchased in 1996 by Gregg Marston, John O’Meara, and Peter Stoops. The purchase was the brainchild of Peter, who wanted a boat to do blue-water sailing with, while at the same time keeping his own 1971 Swan 36. So, the idea was hatched that a partnership would purchase and outfit the boat, and that whenever she was being used by Peter in far off ports (i.e. unavailable to the rest of the owners), his boat, Freedom, would be theirs to use.

When Gregg moved to Vermont to run Vermont Bicycle tours in 2001, he sold his position in S/V Chase Corp. to Alex Agnew, publisher of Ocean Navigator. Alex has been a blessing to the boat, with his industry connections and his dedication to improving the boat. It was Alex that worked the relationship with the Landing School in 2002, when Chase was completely refitted, and in 2009 when she was repowered. Alex also stepped up to the plate in 2004 to purchase half of Peter’s 50% ownership, which freed up Peter to continue to provide much of the boat’s maintenance work, but with less of a financial burden.

John O’Meara is a cardiologist practicing here in Portland with Cardiac Consultants of Maine. John’s been on board Chase for a lot of miles, including the ’07 Marion Bermuda race when she took 3rd place in class, and sailing her on the coast of Spain in ‘03. Like Alex, John has been dedicated to the boat, and has kept all of us safe as the ship’s doctor. Besides our amazing medical kit, John has always been available shore-side whenever a medical problem has arisen. And, he’s never complained as his other partners spend money on all sorts of wacky boat gizmos.

In 2009, S/V Chase took on a fourth owner: Jack McBride. Jack’s financial input helped us repower Chase that year, and for us to prep her for her 2010 trip. Jack sailed with Peter on the 2003 Maine-Azores leg, and then again from Spain to Madiera. After that trip, Jack purchased his own Beneteau 46, which he sailed around Maine and Massachusetts, and to the Caribbean as well. When Jack sold the boat a couple of years ago, he was a natural to fit in with the current partnership; we’re lucky to have him!

Boat partnerships in general don’t have a stellar reputation, and probably with good reason—there are too many things that can go wrong, too many facets of shared ownership that can be interpreted by a given partner as an imposition to his use of the boat. That the Chase partnership has lasted—and thrived—for 14 years is testimony to the guys that own her. They are united in their vision for her use, understand that there are attendant costs, selfless with their time, and go out of their way to accommodate a fellow partner. When you get down to it, owning a boat with others is like making an offshore voyage with crewmates: in order to get along, you have to think of the others first, and to be the first one to make something happen.