In many ways the emergence of the All Risk, a 61’ Garlington, from the paint shed at Seminole Marina marks the culmination of a 30-year journey for Newton Johnson. “A Garlington was my dream boat. I saved up for it for 30 years,” Johnson explains.
“In 1988 I saw a boat in Gloucester, Massachusetts. It was blowing 40 knots—a Nor’easter. A boat backs into the slip at like 20 knots and the captain pulls in by himself and ties the boat up by himself. I said, ‘What is that?’ The boat was beautiful. He says, ‘A new Garlington,’” Johnson recalls. “I told myself, ‘I’m gonna have one one day.’ I saved up and here we are.”
After decades of admiration from afar, Johnson purchased a 1999 61’ Garlington out of Charleston, South Carolina. Johnson took ownership of the boat in September 2019 and planned to perform the standard refit process that comes with purchasing a pre-owned boat in the spring of 2020. This, of course, was before the emergence of the Covid-19 and the spiraling web of complication it cast onto the world and everything in it.
“I brought the boat down to Cape Canaveral in December. USA stabilizer is from there. They installed two Seakeeper 6s and a new bow thruster. Brady Atwater is the sales guy and David Ray and John Wurtz did the construction,” Johnson explains.
“I can’t say enough good things about these guys. They said they’d be there a 9 on Monday morning. Guess what time they showed up? 8:45! They overbuilt everything and designed it to my exact specifications. No nickel and diming and they were exact on their estimate. There was nothing more that you could expect. They did it right—even put the thruster controls on the levers.”
“From there I brought the boat to Soverel Harbour Marina in Palm Beach Gardens in January. Soverel Harbour is a great place—professional, secure and full service. They were really great and I felt very secure with them watching the boat,” Johnson explains. Newton is an owner operator located in Massachusetts. Much of the refit progressed while he was out of town. “Steve Stacey, the marina manager, is a really great guy.”
To be the eyes of the project while Johnson was out of town, Newton hired Brandon O’Connor. A broker with HMY in Palm Beach Gardens, O’Connor provides custom yacht management service for folks in Johnson’s position.
The fact that many service providers did a great job on a boat refit in and of itself should not be news. The fact that these companies kept the project running through the pandemic and lockdown of the coronavirus is something for which Newton Johnson is extremely grateful. Companies involved in the work include:
Florida Marine Tech — “They did all of the engine work—valves, maintenance, etc.,” Johnson explains.
Murray Marine Services — “They replaced the air conditioning from top to bottom. They installed a Dometic system. Mike and Rob Murray did a really great job—they were right on time every time.”
Eagle Eye — “Eagle Eye provides general contractor services out of Seminole marina. They restored the bright work and did dome interior work. They also painted the hull and foredeck, installed new hatches on the bow, painted the helm, took off the bow rail, painted the engine room, and installed a new anchor and windlass set up.”
Victor Sanchez — “There was one couch in the interior. Victor Sanchez made me another couch that matched the existing one perfectly.”
C-Worthy Marine — “Carol and everyone at C-Worthy Marine are true professionals. They’re doing the helm cushions.”
DRSA Lighting — ”Bobby Stone at Deborah R. Smith Associates in Riviera Beach installed all new LED lighting in the interior and engine room. They also installed a 54” light bar on the hard-top facing forward.”
Dan Ross, Ross Yacht Management — “Dan would wash the boat from head to toe every week and detail it perfectly. He’s the best.”
Treasure Coast Propellers — “Treasure Coast Propellers did the wheels.”
Wes Vought, Seaside Yacht Service — “Dialed in the shaft and running gear.”
USA Stabilizers — “Installed two Seakeeper 6’s and bow thruster.”
Blake Stahl and Associates— “Blake Stahl out if Palm Beach performed the survey. He was first class and did a great job.”
Broker— “Thomas Wynne, an independent broker out of Charleston brokered the deal.”
So now that the All Risk is out of the shed and the refit is complete, what is in store for Newton Johnson and his dream boat? Giant tuna fishing out of Newton’s native Gloucester, Massachusetts. If you see him on the water, check out his new rig…she’s a beauty.
Do you have any comments or questions for us? We’d love to hear from you.
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