Over the years, I’ve tried to keep track of the number of ‘Penguins’ that have been completed. As best as I can tell, there have been less than ten. The number is not reliable because my only source is the web and a builder must have posted about it. In North America, there have been three, including the Ann-Martin. 

One of these is the Stella Maris, built by Jonas Abromaitis, in Ottawa, Ontario. I was raised in the Ottawa valley, and during one of my visits, my brother and I dropped by Jonas’s place while he was building his boat. It was nearly completed. I was most impressed by the quality of the build, down to the cast lead ballast and stainless steel mast shoe, and of course Jonas’s and his wife's cordiality. We had tea and cookies. A few years later, Jonas visited us in Oregon.

This summer, his boat, the Stella Maris, was launched. As you can see below, it’s beautiful. 

Jonas informs me that he is putting it up for sale and has placed an ad in WoodenBoat magazine. If you’re looking for instant access to adventure, this is your chance.

Note the perfect water line. I am so jealous. And that mast could hold a huge topsail above the gaff.