Rowena is a true classic sailing yacht designed by renowned American naval architect Philip L. Rhodes. A sister ship to the celebrated Thunderhead, Rowena combines timeless beauty with the sure-footed, sea-kindly sailing qualities for which Rhodes designs are known. Built by the esteemed Lester Stone Yard of Alameda, California, Rowena is constructed of solid mahogany planking; bronze fastened throughout and reflects the highest standards of traditional American yacht building. Her comfortable, open interior plan is well suited to extended cruising, while her proven offshore pedigree inspires confidence in both heavy weather and light airs. 

With well over 100,000 ocean miles beneath her keel, Rowena has demonstrated herself to be a fast, safe, and remarkably comfortable cruising yacht. Her deep cockpit, protected by a substantial hard dodger, is thoughtfully arranged for shorthanded sailing. Large primary winches, lazy jacks for the mainsail, and a Profurl roller-furling genoa make sail handling straightforward and efficient. Her clipper bow, cutter rig, and graceful sheer continue to turn heads under sail and at the dock alike. 

Over six decades, Rowena has benefited from a succession of dedicated owners who sailed her extensively and maintained her with exceptional care. Her distinguished history includes the Transpac races of 1965, 1969, 1971, and 1973; a second-place finish in the 1991 San Diego to Maui Race; and third place in the Ocean I Division of the 1992 Master Mariners Regatta. 

In recent years, Rowena has continued to fulfill her purpose as a serious cruising yacht, exploring the waters of British Columbia, Southeast Alaska, Haida Gwaii, and the rugged outer coast of Vancouver Island. She is not a museum piece, but a proven cruising vessel that remains active, capable, and ready for her next adventure. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a classic yacht of exceptional pedigree, enduring beauty, and demonstrated capability. Rowena is ready to carry her next steward on a voyage of their own.

Rowena will be out cruising this summer in the Pacific Northwest, please contact Swiftsure Yachts broker for details and to arrange a showing.

"See Rowena at the 2026 Port Townsend Wooden Boat Show September 11-13, 2026"

Refit and Maintenance Highlights

2026 Hull & Structure

• Removed and replaced silicone bronze fasteners in middle 1/3 of hull. (Upsized to #18), (2/3 + of hull refastened)
• New Bottom paint 2+ coats Sea Hawk Cukote
• Topsides prepped and 2 coats EZ Poxy paint
• Varnish brightwork
• Cabin top and interior of doghouse repainted

2025 Sails & Rig

• New mainsail – Leitch & McBride
• New Tides Track System
• New Genoa – Leitch & McBride
• New staysail – Leitch & McBride

2024 Hull & Systems

• Removed and replaced silicone bronze fasteners in bottom 1/3 hull. (Upsized to #18)
• Lazy Jacks installed
• Victron Charging system upgrade
• Balmar 100-amp alternator with regulator
• Upgraded wiring throughout 

Interior Arrangement 

With her beam of 13 ft 0 in / 3.96 m, Rowena offers a unique and highly functional interior layout with two companionway entrances, providing exceptional access, ventilation, and ease of movement aboard. 

The primary companionway descends from the cockpit beneath the protection of the hard dodger into a spacious main saloon. A large U-shaped settee provides comfortable seating for entertaining and converts to generous sleeping accommodations, with additional quarter berths outboard. The saloon is bright, welcoming, and ideal for relaxing at anchor or underway. 

Aft of the saloon, convenient access is provided to the Westerbeke auxiliary engine and associated systems, making routine inspection and maintenance straightforward. 

A second companionway, located to starboard amidships, descends via a distinctive spiral staircase directly into the galley. The galley is arranged for practical use at sea, while opposite to port is a dedicated navigation station featuring a large chart table, pilot seat, and navigation electronics. 

Moving forward from the saloon, the head is located to port. Moving forward a Dickinson diesel heater keeps the interior warm and comfortable. Beyond lies the owner's stateroom, featuring a comfortable Pullman-style double berth to port with overhead skylight, abundant storage, shelving, and excellent natural light. To starboard are a large hanging locker and a comfortable settee, creating a private retreat for reading, relaxing, or dressing. 

Forward, a large doorway provides access to the forepeak, which serves as sail and rode storage and is accessible both from below and through a large deck hatch. 

Throughout the vessel, painted white bulkheads and cabinetry create a bright and open atmosphere, complemented by varnished teak and mahogany trim and traditional teak-and-holly sole boards. The result is a warm, inviting interior equally suited to extended cruising by a couple or comfortable voyaging with family and friends.

Main Cabin and Galley

• Gimbaled Heritage 3 propane burner and oven
• Pressure water and saltwater manual foot pump
• Stainless steel fridge and freezer – Isotherm (Indel Webasto)
• Stainless steel sink and pressure mixer tap
• Lots of storage

Master Cabin 

• Double Pullman berth over locker and drawer stowage to port
• Large locker to stbd
• Port lights to sides and fwd and electric lights
• Shelving forward
• Skylight over head

             Navigation and Electronics

• IC-M424 VHF radio with digital selective calling and remote full function mike/speaker programmed VHF with MMSI
• Simrad FC40 Fluxgate compass
• Simrad NSS7 Row 6.4-inch Touch screen MFD
• Simrad 4G broadband radar
• Simrad B744-VL Echo sounder
• Vesper Cortex AIS receiver and transmitter
• Simrad NSS12 Row 12.1-inch Touch screen MFD
• Simrad IS20 wind system
• Simrad Auto Pilot with Simrad AP44 autopilot controller and NAC3 brain integrated to NMEA2000
• Signet depth sounder and speed log
• PROWatt SW 2000 Inverter

Deck and Hull Layout 

A length overall of 48 ft 9 in / 14.86 m and waterline 37 ft 0 in / 11.28 m, she is constructed of Carvel mahogany on oak frames and bronze fasteners and teak decks. Beginning aft, a radar mast is mounted on the starboard quarter, keeping the cockpit clear while providing an ideal platform for radar, antennas, and additional equipment. The deep cockpit is centered around a traditional destroyer-style helm wheel mounted on a substantial binnacle equipped with a steering compass, navigation repeaters, and excellent sightlines forward. 

Seating is provided on both port and starboard cockpit lazarettes, with a folding cockpit table positioned forward of the helm. Large chromed Barient primary and secondary winches mounted on outboard pedestals provide powerful and efficient sail handling. A handsome bronze access plate in the cockpit sole allows direct access to the engine, transmission, and shaft coupling for inspection and maintenance. 

A defining feature of Rowena is her substantial hard dodger, which provides outstanding protection from wind, rain, and spray. Beneath the dodger, crew enjoys a comfortable sheltered seating area with excellent visibility through large windows. Just aft of the companionway, this protected space creates a natural gathering place while underway or at anchor. 

Wide teak side decks and substantial handholds make movement forward secure and confidence-inspiring in all conditions. The mainsheet traveler is mounted atop the hard dodger, keeping the cockpit clear while providing efficient mainsail control. 

At the mast, chromed Barient winches handle the mainsail and headsail halyards. Lazy jacks simplify mainsail handling, while three-point jiffy reefing allows quick sail reduction when conditions require. Forward of the mast a beautifully crafted teak propane locker is mounted on the coach roof.

At the bow a Profurl roller-furling genoa can be controlled from the cockpit, making Rowena particularly well suited for short-handed cruising. Her cutter rig includes a hanked-on staysail set on an inner forestay secured with a robust pelican hook. 

Rigging and Sails 

Masthead cutter rig (c 62 ft above WL) 

• Varnished Sitka spruce keel stepped mast and spars
• Stainless steel 1/19 standing rigging, swaged terminals and turnbuckles new in 2013
• Manual backstay adjuster
• Running back stays
• Adjustable topping lift
• Roller furling 120 percent high cut Genoa by Leitch & McBride 2025
• Mainsail by Leitch & McBride fully battened with fast track hoisting system 2025
• Staysail by Leitch & McBride 2025
• High cut Yankee (fair - good condition).
• Storm Staysail
• Tri-sail

   Mechanical and Electrical Systems

• Westerbeke 58 HP 4 cyl fresh water-cooled diesel engine
• Dual Racor water separators
• 12 V electrical system
• Main circuit breaker panel and master selector switch
• Sterling 120 battery charger
• Galvanic isolator
• 120-volt Shore power
• Balmar 100 Amp alternator
• Balmar ARS-5-H regulator
• SunPower & Sealeaf solar installations with two MPPT controller 420 watts (total)
• Victron charge controllers
• Victron BMV-712 battery monitor
• Three Rolls AGM S12-230AGM-RE house batteries
• Victron Orion Smart DC/DC charger for house and start battery
• GFCI Protected breakers
• Installed Starlink
• Ideal electric windlass with wireless windlass controller
• 365 feet of 3/8 chain rode on a 100lb spade primary anchor
• Wheel steering with Edson cable and quadrant

   Safety and Miscellaneous

• Spreader lights
• Achilles dinghy (9'6")
• Torqeedo electric motor
• Life Raft Revere Regatta 6 person, Serviced 6-2026
• IridiumGo
• First aid kit
• Swim ladder
• Binnacle cover
• Lee cloths for bunks
• USCG requires safety equipment
• Fire suppression Portable type extinguisher in each cabin