WILD HORSES (ex-White Eagle II) is a well-balanced, capable passage-maker, designed by Robert H. Perry and built by James Betts Enterprises to sail far, fast, and in comfort. Her aluminum hull and composite deck offer an ideal combination of strength, stiffness, and ease of maintenance. Designed for long-distance cruising, she’s equally at home on a transoceanic passage or exploring closer-to-home coastlines.
For the past 15 years, she has been sailed by a couple who have thoughtfully refined her systems and setup. All sail controls lead aft to the cockpit, and with five electric winches, she’s easy to handle, even with a small crew. She performs well in light winds yet is built to take on challenging conditions and can even tackle the Northwest Passage. Her striking lines and purposeful design turn heads in any anchorage.
Her interior is spacious and practical, with 6’9” headroom, two staterooms, and an additional bunk room that doubles as a mechanical space. There is copious, conveniently located storage space throughout. The hard dodger, with 6’2” headroom, provides excellent protection and can be enclosed to function as a pilothouse. A well-appointed galley, generous storage, and smartly laid-out systems make extended cruising comfortable and efficient.
Built in the U.S., WILD HORSES would make a strong candidate for expedition sailing, a performance-minded charter, or an owner looking for a yacht that balances capability with ease of handling. She’s ready for her next adventure.
New (2025) Garmin 17” chart plotter with new fantom doppler radar at cockpit – two autopilot systems – new (2024) Evolution Sails membrane mainsail and jib – lithium house batteries – bifacial solar array – arch with dinghy davits – Balmar generator/water maker – Victron inverter/charger, monitors and solar regulator – Starlink
Name of vessel | WILD HORSES |
Model | Perry 61 |
Year | 1997 |
Builder | James Betts Enterprises |
Designer | Bob Perry |
Price | $485,000 USD |
Location | Bainbridge Island, WA |
Length (feet) | 61 |
Beam (feet) | 16 |
Draft (feet) | 8 |
Displacement (pounds) | 34000 |
Ballast (pounds) | 10000 |
Engine model | Yanmar 4JH2 |
Engine horsepower | 100 |
Engine hours | 1568 |
Fuel tank capacity (gallons) | 540 |
Water tank capacity (gallons) | 400 |
Holding tank capacity (gallons) | 80 |
Interior Accommodations
The interior accommodations aboard WILD HORSES are spacious and feature custom American cherry wood paneling and joinery with teak & holly cabin sole throughout. The interior was refinished in 2024. Upholstery is custom blue leather. Substantial Gebo hatches and ports throughout make the interior light and ventilation exceptional.
Starting forward is the master stateroom with a queen size pullman berth to port and plenty of hanging and shelf lockers to starboard. There is a small seat with storage underneath. Overhead is a large hatch and an opening port.
The forward head is aft and to port of the master cabin. With 400 gallons of water and a water maker you will not feel guilty using the bathtub or shower. Heads are freshwater Vacuflush. There is a generously sized sink and convenient drawer storage.
Next aft is the salon. To starboard is a large cabinet with space for a TV and entertainment system. There is a large settee with sculpted cushions. Outboard is a pilot berth. To port is the dinette with comfortable seating for six to eight guests. Outboard of the dinette is a second pilot berth. There are large ports in the hull and deck and several overhead hatches offering excellent lighting, visibility, and ventilation in the main salon.
The galley is to port of the companionway and is a gourmet cook’s delight. Bright and well-arranged, it features full equipment and good countertop space and cabinet/drawer storage throughout.
The navigation station is opposite the galley to starboard. The custom electrical panel is organized and intuitive. There is a large, forward facing chart table with drawer chart storage. This area is equally suited as a shipboard office.
Just aft of the nav station is the guest cabin and head. The head features a shower, head and sink and is conveniently located at the base of the companionway. The guest cabin has a queen+ size berth, hanging locker and drawer storage. Three opening ports provide ventilation and light.
Aft of the galley is a garage/work room cabin with excellent access to the engine and generator. There is a small work bench and storage lockers for spares, tools etc. This cabin also has two fold-up pipe berths that can be used for extra crew or as sea berths. Three opening ports provide ventilation and light to this space.
Sea Frost 24v air cooled refrigerator (11 cubic feet) and freezer, both with water cooling optional units (10 cubic feet) (2014)
Force 10 propane three burner stove/oven (2019)
Panasonic microwave
Hot and colt pressure water
10-gallon water heater (2015)
(2) Vacuflush heads
Washer/dryer – Splendide 7100 XC third generation (2017)
ProHeat 30,000 BTU hydronic diesel fired cabin heater with individual controls at each cabin
Electronics and Navigation
Garmin hydraulic autopilot with wireless remote (2016)
AutoNav/Nexus hydraulic autopilot
(2) wired AutoNav/Nexus remotes
NMEA backbone installed
Raymarine AIS receiver/transceiver (2020)
Garmin fantom doppler radar 2025
Wesmar sonar
TCL TV at salon
Trintec clock and barometer
(2) Tannoy stereo speakers at salon
(2) Bose stereo speakers at cockpit
Starlink system with antenna mounted on arch
At nav station:
Vizio flat screen monitor
Fusion MSAV600 stereo receiver with DVD
Nexus Multi Control display
Icom ICM504 VHF radio
Silva Nexus GPS Nav display
At forward stateroom:
Nexus Multi Control display
At companionway:
Nexus Steer Pilot
(2) Nexus NXR Maxi displays
Nexus analog Depth display
At cockpit:
Nexus Wind, Trim, (2) NXR control Multi displays
Garmin GPSMAP 8617 17” chartplotter on swiveling mount at cockpit table (2025)
At starboard helm station:
Nexus Wind, Multi displays
Ritchie compass
VHF RAM mic
At port helm station:
Nexus Multi, Compass displays
Garmin Multi Display
Ritchie compass
Electrical Systems
24v/12v DC systems and 120v AC systems
(2) 30amp Smartplug shore power inlets
(2) 30amp smartplug cords
50-amp 220 adaptor pigtail to plug in (2) 30-amp cords
50-amp 110v adaptor pigtail to plug in (2) 30-amp cords
Shore power works with both (1) 30-amp cord or (2) 30-amp cords for 50-amp power
Isolation transformer
(2) 12v Group 24 engine start batteries
400amp hour 24v (equivalent to 800-amp hours at 12v) Winston lithium battery bank
(2) Wakespeed WS 500 alternator regulators (2023) for (2) Balmar dual belt large frame 98-Series Alternators, 160amp @24V one on main engine and the other on generator.
Newmar 24-12v converter
(2) solar panels on arch
Balmar 7.5kw generator/40gph water maker (193 hours)
(2) 200-watt bifacial solar panels on arch with Victron regulator (2023)
Victron GX Touch system monitor (2023)
Victron Cerbo GX systems monitor (2023)
Victron Multiplus II 24-volt 3000va inverter/70-amp battery charger (2023)
Mechanical Systems
WILD HORSES’s systems are configured for reliable, efficient operation. Access to the engine and generator are excellent – with a large panel allowing full side access to the engine compartment via the port quarter cabin. The cockpit sole is removable for access.
Yanmar 4JH2W-UTE 100hp diesel engine (1568 hours)
Hurth HSW 630 V1 transmission (rebuilt 2023)
PYI dripless shaft seal (2023)
Max Prop three blade feathering propeller (rebalanced by PYI with new cone 2023)
Engine throttle/shift controls at each helm station
Racor dual switch fuel filter for fuel from main tanks to day tank
Main engine dual switch-filter-while-running racor fuel filter
Generator fuel filter
Pex plumbing
Paragon water ballast pump
(1) Johnson 4000 GPH High Capacity Bilge Pump at main bilge
(3) Rule bilges pumps, located at engine bilge, garage bilge, sail locker bilge
Emergency bilge pump, belt driven by generator connected to manifold hoses from forward sail lock, main cabin and aft garage locker.
Manual bilge pumps at salon and cockpit
High bilge alarm for main bilge
Tank Tender tank monitor for measuring fuel, water and waste tank levels
Deck and Hull
WILD HORSES’ hull is strong and lightweight welded aluminum. Her deck is foam and carbon fiber/fiberglass, with carbon fiber used in all high load areas for additional strength. She is insulated above the waterline with fiberglass batt insulation that is covered with a white nylon and easily removable and small sections. The water tanks are located far outboard and may be used as ballast when sailing. A high-capacity pump transfers between the tanks. The fuel and water tanks are aluminum, integral to the hull. Her keel is a deep fin with lead bulb. The rudder is carbon fiber.
At the bow, there is a massive sail locker, separated from the main cabin by a watertight bulkhead. A separate hatch on deck allows access to the anchor windlass and chain run. The primary anchor is stored on the fixed bowsprit.
A hard dodger protects the cockpit. The center window of the dodger is a large hatch that allows excellent airflow. A fixed table on centerline provides a great outdoor dining space. The Garmin chartplotter is mounted on a swivel on the table. The forward end of the cockpit may be enclosed by canvas, making it a warm and dry space in inclement weather.
Twin helm stations allow easy passage from the forward end of the cockpit to the swimstep. There are engine controls at both stations.
A custom arch supports solar panels, radar and Starlink antennas and also serves as the dinghy davits. A hinged bar allows a large dinghy to be easily lowered and raised with electric winch from the transom. Three steps lead from the cockpit level to the swimstep. A swim ladder (staircase!) with five rungs allows easy boarding from the water.
Lighthouse 501 horizontal anchor windlass with up and down foot controls and remote at cockpit
Bruce anchor 110 pounds
Fortress secondary anchor
Raw water washdown system
Dyneema lifelines
(8) stainless mooring cleats
Cockpit table
Aluminum tri fold companionway doors plus traditional washboards
Stern shower
Cockpit cushions (2024)
Watch station enclosure
Bimini
Dinghy davits on arch and outboard motor mount.
Sails and Rigging
Forespar aluminum three spreader mast, painted white
Forespar aluminum boom, painted white
Discontinuous rod rigging
Harken headsail furler
Inner forestay with hydraulic tensioner
Carbon fiber spinnaker pole mounted on mast
German mainsheet
Navtec hydraulic boom vang, backstay, outhaul and staysail stay adjusters
Stack Pack mainsail cover with lazy jacks (2024)
Evolution Sails expedition membrane mainsail with three reefs (2024)
Evolution Sails expedition membrane 100% jib (2024)
Profurl Spinex furler for use off bow sprit
UK Asymmetrical spinnaker, is set up to use Profurl Spinex as a top down furler, also has a separate control sock
UK 130 genoa
Ballard Sails, 140 without uv cover, to use on bow sprit with Profurl Spinex furler
Meisner 30ST-53 winch on mast
Meisner 30ST-60 winch on mast
(2) Mesiner 36ST-81 E electric primary winches
(2) Meisner 32ST-60 E electric mainsheet winches aft of twin helm stations, one is set up to furl Harken headsail furler, they also are used to raise and lower dinghy or outboard.
Meisner 32ST 60 E electric halyard winch
Miscellaneous and Safety
Avon R3.41 RIB dinghy
Eclectic outboard – EPropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus
Quickline reel for stern tie line
Magma BBQ
Updates and improvements by the present owners:
Adding new Garmin GPSMAP 8617 17” Screen chartplotter with black GMR fantom radar with MotionScope™ technology – 2025
New cockpit cushions – 2024
Refinished wood floors, and interior woodwork 2024
Two new Evolution black Expedition Membranes sails, both offshore sails - main with 3 reefs and 100% jib sails with new battens 2024
Added Starlink gen 3 dish - Wi-Fi running on 24 V system 2024
Replaced bimini 2024
Replaced stack pack sail cover – 2024
Rebuild transmission, new prop shaft, and other components – 2023
Replaced PYI dripless shaft with new – 2023
Sent Max Prop to PYI for rebalancing and new cone – 2023
Replaced transmission cooler – 2023
Reupholstered side berths – 2023
Replaced most Vac-flush components, both pumps, one vacuum generator and hoses for both heads – 2023 / 24
Replaced plexiglass on hatches 2023/24 – a couple left to do, already have plexiglass cut to size
Added 2 new Wakespeed Wakespeed regulators for lithium batteries – 2023
Replaced headliner added wood trim - 2023
Replaced GPS, new Garmin NMEA 2000 – 2023
Replaced interior lighting to 16 Lunasea LED downlights soft white/night blue combo with 4 zone lighting thought out – 2023
Upgraded battery BMS system – 2023
Added Victron energy Cerbo GX and GX Touch 70 and network – 2023
Replace charger inverter with Victron energy charger inverter – 2023
Installed two new bifacial 200 watt solar panels and new Victron energy solar charger controller - 2023
Replaced with Garmin NMEA 2000 instrument sender units, masthead, depth, speed log – 2023
Added Yacht Devices NMEA 2000 Wi-Fi Gateway YDWG-02 – 2022
New Raymarine AIS receiver/sender NMEA 2000 – 2020
Repainted Decks and now skid – 2020
Replaced all Hard Dodger windows – 2020
Replaced main engine injectors – 2019
New Force 10 galley stove – 2019
Replaced lifelines to Dyneena – 2018
Second auto pilot added – Garmin below deck hydraulic – 2016
NMEA backbone 2000 – 2016
Replaced with new Splendide 7100 XC third generation Washer/ dryer – 2017
Replace freshwater system / piping to Pex – 2015
Added bigger pump to tank ballast system with directional switch with one direction flow restrictor
Replaced hot water tank – 2015
Raymarine backbone system throughout boat – 2014
Replaced all PLam counter tops, table to quarter inch solid surface – 2014
Upgraded insulation to refrigerator and freezer – 2014
New refrigerator system to Seafrost – 2014
New freezer to Seafrost system – 2014
New Nexus / Garmin instrument system – 2014
Replaced house bank batteries to Winston 400 amp at 24 V lithium lifepo4 – 2014
Added new custom aluminum cockpit / cabin doors – 2014
Added cockpit Center with folding table 2014 / added mount for chartplotter – 2014
Added bimini framing, and canvas – 2011
Move location of propane tanks – 2011
Sailing Magazine commentary from the designer, Bob Perry
Tullie Gordon began stopping by the office in early summer. We talked boats for the next three months. I finally suggested that he fly to California and arrange to sail on my 55-foot design Stealth Chicken. Tullie arranged to crew on Chicken for the Ensenada race. During this race, he steered Chicken at more than 15 knots. He returned to Seattle primed and ready to begin. “I want one like that, but bigger.”
Tullie’s new boat is a 60-foot performance cruiser with a racing bent. The hull form features a broad stem and relatively firm bilges. The D/L is 109 on a displacement of 32,000 pounds. The keel is a vertical, constant-chord fin with a 9,500-pound, torpedolike bulb on the bottom at 8.66 feet draft. Tullie and his two sons are tall (6 feet, 7 inches), so I designed in 6 feet, 9 inches of headroom throughout the boat. The rest of the interior is laid out to a scale that will work well for tall people.
The owner’s stateroom is forward and includes a large head with a big shower stall/tub. I combined the chart table with the freezer in order to increase the top of the chart table for a spacious nav area. The aft head is tight but it does have direct access from the starboard quarter cabin. Pilot berths were designed for a racing crew or the grandchildren. The port quarter cabin, which features pipe-style upper and lowers berths, will do double duty as a workroom.
The deck features a two-level cockpit. The aft portion is raised for visibility and the forward section drops down a step for protection under the hard dodger. Seat backs are deep in this area with the seatings all on one level. I chose two carbon fiber wheels to open up the cockpit area and provide easy access to the swim step. Side decks are generous.
Jim Betts of Truckee, California, is building the boat. The hull is aluminum and the decks are composite glass and carbon fiber. To achieve an attractive rollededge look to the sheer, we used a split pipe detail to mate the glass deck and the aluminum hull together. We split and rewelded a section of mast extrusion to form the bowsprit which supports the two anchor rollers and the tack for the asymmetrical chute. The bowsprit was masterfully built in aluminum by Bett’s crew and ties into a recessed area for the anchors that fairleads to a windlass in the well. The Harken genoa furling drum is also in this well. Lines lead aft from the mast under the hard dodger to the winches, including the electric main halyard winch.
Designing the boat for Puget Sound meant a tall rig. Skip Chetelat of Forespar helped with the rig design. A staysail stay is included for heavy-air sailing. There is no mainsheet travelers You do not need one on a boat like this. There is never a time on this style of boat when you need to pull the boom up to centerline, let alone beyond centerline. If you do, you would be oversheeting the main.
We are using the 100-horsepower Yanmar diesel with a Hurth V-drive with 2.5 to I reduction and RTL’s MaxProp.
The launching is set for midwinter. Tullie and I have had a good time putting this design together, while the crew at Bett’s yard is doing a great job on the building end.
Optimized cruiser for performance-loving owner.