Custom – William Garden Schooner

The Schooner Ellen C Wells was designed by William Garden and launched in Kittery, Maine in 2015 from the shop of well-known builder George Patten.  Since then, she has had one owner and remains in excellent condition, both structurally and cosmetically. 

Although her rig is that of a traditional fore & aft schooner, her systems are fully modern, featuring a 27 hp Yanmar 3GM diesel engine, modern wiring and circuit protection, water heater, refrigeration, navigation electronics, etc. 

Her cozy interior consists of the galley and head aft with a companionway up to the cockpit.  Midships are port and starboard settees with a drop leaf table and a separate companionway.  An insert utilizes the cockpit cushions to bridge the gap between the settees, creating a huge athwartship bunk – dare I say king size.  Forward are two more port and starboard pilot berths with yet another access hatch.  A perfect setup for a family of 4, with full standing headroom throughout.  The heart and soul of ELLEN WELLS’s interior is the little wood burning stove, which throws more than enough heat to take the chill off the coldest October morning.

Construction is mahogany strip planking, edge-glued and fastened with bronze ring nails.  Frames are steam bent white oak, with silicon bronze plank fasteners.  Backbone timbers are white oak, the ballast keel is lead, and all bolts are bronze as well.  The hull appears as strong and fair as the day she was launched.  The deck is teak over plywood and shows no signs of leaking anywhere. 

ELLEN C WELLS has spent the past 8 years cruising between Rhode Island and Maine, cruising, daysailing, and taking out the occasional group of students from the WoodenBoat School in Brooklin, ME.

She is available immediately and needs nothing.  All paint and varnish will be freshly coated in time for spring.  Given how recently ELLEN C WELLS was built, there is no survey available, but she is easily accessible for inspection at the owner’s shop in Friendship, ME.