Vintage American Yacht Transformed Through a $3M Refit Is a Hidden Gem

Like most vessels that have been around for decades, Aandeel had to start a new chapter several times and also had to undergo considerable modifications in order to remain relevant in today's market. Its story begins nearly 30 years ago, in 1996. It was commissioned by publishing millionaire Thomas Gosnell. The late Gosnell was not only a prominent figure in Rochester but also an avid yachtsman with a love for fast and sleek sloops.

Gosnell made waves with another yacht, the famous Timoneer, which was turned into a charity vessel after his death. The story goes that a sailing yacht he saw one day inspired him to want something similar, and that's how Aandeel, which was originally named Sleighride, came to be. The name was a tribute to the whaling tradition in New England, and it was a colloquial term used when a whaling boat got dragged across the water by a whale.

Sleighride was designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built by Goetz Boats in Rhode Island. At the time, the builder was known as Derecktor-Goetz Yachts), and this yacht marked the first collaboration between Derecktor and Goetz. It also represented a milestone for S&S as one of the most radical designs at the time.

Sleighride wasn't just an ultra-light racing boat. During its first day at sea, it easily went beyond 23 knots despite the fact that it was also carrying 25 people on board. As for its offshore capabilities, S&S described the radical new yacht as "literally flying through or almost over the water."

After Gosnell passed away in 2009, his super sleek sloop would also change hands. By 2011, Sleighride was ready to enter a new era. Its new owner, who renamed it Aandeel, was willing to pump millions into a comprehensive refit. It was time for Aandeel to become a luxury pleasure craft, and it did after a two-year rebuild.

The refit alone was worth around $3 million. Westerley Marine, an expert in racing and cruising boats of up to 100 feet, was in charge of the refit at its facility in California. Adam Voorhees, winner of the 2010 Young Designer of the Year Award at the World Superyacht Awards, had the major task of revamping Sleighride's interiors. It was his first build project.

Today, it would be almost impossible to tell that this stylish, elegant sloop was built in the '90s. Born as a performance sailing yacht, this 77-footer (23.4 meters) is a luxurious option for family day cruises and even ocean voyages. All the original sail equipment, including the rig, standing rigging, and carbon boom, were replaced with automated sail handling systems for easy solo or double-handed navigation.

The revamped boat also sports a bigger propulsion package, a new electrical/electronic system, and a tender garage with a hydraulic transom door and swimming platform. Powered by a Kubota and a Yanmar engine, it cruises elegantly at 16 knots.

Inside, Aandeel looks like a brand-new luxury toy. It can comfortably accommodate up to six guests across three cabins – a spacious master suite, a starboard double-bed cabin, and a port stateroom with a flexible layout. The master bedroom includes access to a private bathroom and shower. The main salon was specifically redesigned to boost luminosity and spaciousness, which is why it feels much bigger than its actual size. Large windows also bring in abundant natural light. The new garage can house kayaks, water toys, and 10-foot RIBs.

The large cockpit can easily seat up to 16 guests, making Aandeel an ideal option for day trips with large groups of friends or family members. A U-shaped, fully-equipped galley is also part of the luxury upgrade. The elegant teak dining table to port is big enough for up to eight people, while to starboard, Aandeel reveals another generous seating/entertainment area.

Despite an extensive career of nearly three decades, this American sloop claims to be in impeccable shape, and it certainly looks that way. It's rare for a 28-year-old yacht to have only had two owners, and that shows how much each of them appreciated this unique cruising companion. It's been more than ten years since the California refit was completed, but Aandeel can still rival any contemporary sailing yacht in the same size category.

This vintage Goetz build is preparing to go under the hammer in February, with bidding starting at $300,000 and a $350,000 reserve. Currently disguised as a bargain, this fine American performance beast turned luxury yacht still has decades of glorious sailing ahead.