"Palmetto Belle"
1970 Mariner 31, Hull#75
Owner: Ken Davis - Palmetto, FLA. - USA
Being recently "boatstruck" I have purchased project M31 # 75. I found the boat 140 miles north of Tampa Bay, under cover where she had been for the last 10 years. "RAMBLER" as I will call her is now in a warehouse in Bradenton, Fl. to finish the loving restoration that the previous owner had started. My name is Daniel Wells and Tampa Bay will be our hailing port.
Thanks, Dan Wells
UPDATE: January, 8, 2020
History: I am sorry to announce to
the Membership that Mariner Yachts Member, Dan Wells, passed away aboard his
Mariner 31, “Rambler,” while moored at the Snead Island Boat Works, of
Palmetto, FL. His death was in early November, 2019. Dan was an
employee of the Boat Works as an accomplished and versatile craftsman well
qualified in all aspects of boat repairs and restoration and for many years he
had lived aboard his M31 at the Boat Works. Dan was a widower, had no
children, and as such his M31 was inherited by his nephew in Naples, FL, who is
not a sailor. I had sold my Westerly Centaur earlier in the year and was
casually looking for another sailboat to take its place. My close friend
of many years was Dan’s neighbor at the Boat Works, and it was he who informed
me of Dan’s death and the possible availability of Dan’s M31.
Consequently I contacted the Nephew who was relieved to hear that I had a
genuine interest in his Uncle’s M31, a sale was agreed upon and I became the
new owner in early December, 2019. I have decided to rename the
“Rambler,” “Palmetto Belle,” to honor and reflect my love and respect for my
deceased Grandmother, Belle M. I will most likely be moving the M31
to another marina on the Manatee River, since the waiting list for a slip at
the Boat Works is long and dear. My sailing grounds will be on the
Manatee River, to its mouth and entrance to Tampa Bay, and on into the Gulf of
Mexico, for coastal cruising as I become adept at sailing the M31’s ketch rig
and learning the varied characteristics of this fine sailboat. Then,
well, who knows? Lastly, I was pleased to discover this association and
look forward to my membership and many years ahead sailing my Mariner 31, which
by the way may have actually been built while I was a Boatswain Mate 2nd
Class, aboard the USS Mars, which was homeported at Yokosuka, Japan, home of
Far East Yachts at that time. I don’t know if “it’s a small world,” I’ve
“come full circle,” if it’s “serendipity,” “a coincidence,” or exactly
what. But what I do know is that I am happy and please to be a new owner
of a Mariner 31.
