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Ketch Land’s End

Take a step back in time with the original owners of Land's End.
  • Updated: March 19, 2013

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Land’s End sailed in the 46th Annual S.S. Crocker Race. Click here to read her story. Billy Black

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Land’s End flies under full sail in a race off Manchester, Massachusetts. Courtesy of the Loomis Family

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Gordon (left) and Lucy bob astern of Land’s End in the dinghy during an outing in 1960. Sadly, the lapstrake tender was later stolen. Courtesy of the Loomis Family

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Children were welcome crew aboard Land’s End. Courtesy of the Loomis Family

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Daughter Lucy Loomis steers Land’s End during a family cruise. Courtesy of the Loomis Family

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Gordon Loomis rides the rail while Land’s End kicks up her stuff. Courtesy of the Loomis Family

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This photo of Land’s End under full sail off Manchester, Massachusetts, was taken in the early 1970s. It was a gift from Kathy Anderson of Manchester Marine, where we stopped for fuel and ice before setting out for Maine in July 2012. Anderson’s father, Burrage “Woody” Woodberry, was Manchester Marine’s head mechanic for 30 years and oversaw many projects aboard the boat. Courtesy of Kathy Anderson

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Henry Loomis was always bare-chested aboard. And “he was never as relaxed or as completely happy as when he was on Land’s End,” recalls daughter Pixie. Courtesy of the Loomis Family

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A sturdy cruising boat and an offshore racer, Land’s End fared decently in the 1936 Newport-Bermuda Race and in local regattas off Manchester, Massachusetts. Courtesy of the Loomis Family

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The lively pack of Loomis kids—Lucy (from left), Pixie, Gordon, and Timmy—never lacked for mischief. Courtesy of the Loomis Family

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Over the years, countless friends and family members were invited aboard to sail Land’s End in waters as close as southeastern New England and as far as Maine; favorite mascots included a pair of Norwich terriers and a raccoon. Courtesy of the Loomis Family

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After decades of believing that Land’s End no longer existed, Paulie Loomis, the original first mate, was reunited with her at the annual S.S. Crocker Memorial Race, a fun and well-attended summertime event. Rick Martell

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The interior of Land’s End had potential, but the color and feel were all wrong. Michel Savage

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Current owners Rick Martell and Elaine Lembo are happy with the changes they have made to the interior. Billy Black

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It was a cold winter in 1999 when the ink dried on our deal to purchase Land’s End. Michel Savage

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The interior ceiling was in a sorry state when we found her, and the mast had been pulled, but the previous owner had made sure that power kept the portable heaters belowdecks running. Michel Savage

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On deck back then, we take in the scope of the project that lay ahead of us. Michel Savage

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Among much of the kit that’s original to the boat is the cockpit binnacle. Its red night lighting still worked when we bought her; we’ve replaced several of the glass panes that were cracked. Michel Savage

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A few of the major reconstruction projects included rebuilding the boomkin (absent in the photo) and replacing the transom, which is now varnished. We also replaced the nameboard and changed the hailing port to Newport, Rhode Island, where we live. Michel Savage

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JOIN the 50th S.S.Crocker Memorial Race: While our participation in the 46th race in memory of naval architect Sam Crocker was a milestone for Land’s End, the highly popular and well attended event comes off like clockwork every July. Anticipation is now building for the 50th celebration, set for 2016. Send your ideas for a fitting tribute to both Crocker designs and half a century of the regatta to the president of Crocker’s Boat Yard, Skip Crocker (http://www.sscrockerrace.com). Rick Martell
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