1980 Alden Biddeford Pool One Design

Vixen is a Biddeford Pool One Design built at the Landing School in Kennebunkport in 1980. She’s a gaff sloop day sailer, a design drawn by John Alden for the members of the Biddeford Pool Yacht Club in 1917.  It’s a versatile design, similar in concept, hull shape and rig plan to the venerable Herreshoff 12 ½ but scaled to accommodate adults and sail comfortably in the less protected water outside Biddeford Pool.  She's a near ideal family day sailer, capable of being sailed by one but with room for 3 or 4, simply rigged, pretty, stable, quick... Vixen is owned by a family that keep her on a mooring at Chebeague Island and sail her frequently on Casco Bay.  Their description of her sailing characteristics sums it up nicely:

“The perfect boat for day sailing on Casco Bay, her deep draft and 700 lb lead keel help her stand up in all kind of wind while her relatively light over all weight lets her move along in the lightest of breezes. She points very well for a gaff rig and is easily single handed due to her self-tacking jib.”

Vixen is traditionally constructed of cedar planking on steam bent white oak frames, fastened with silicon bronze.  She’s practical, not only from a sailing perspective, but from a maintenance and storage one as well.  Vixen comes with a trailer that can be towed by nearly any car and doubles as a winter storage cradle.  At 18’ she’ll fit in many barns and garages and two people could easily carry out her annual maintenance in a weekend or two.   She is a hundred year old, plank on frame, gaff rigged one design; a safe, sensible, family-friendly day-sailer; and a perfect example of the notion that it doesn't have to cost a fortune to own and maintain a wooden boat

Vixen is currently moored in Chebeague Island, ME and spends the winter in her owner's boat barn on island.  Her current owners have had her since 2012, work in the marine industry and perform much of their own maintenance, which is detailed below.

Maintenance:

Every year: sand and paint bottom and topsides, seam compound applied as needed.

Every year: varnish on the spars: 2 to 3 maintenance coats.

Every Year: sails and sailcovers washed and stored with Hallet sails

2013: New sail covers built by Hallet Sails.

2018- Striped combing and toe rail to bare wood applied deks ole... 6 to 8 coats.

2019: stripped benches & sole boards, repainted cockpit, deks ole all cockpit trim.

Inventory:

Main Sail and Jib in good condition, washed and stored at Hallet yearly

Jib cover and boom tent (New in 2013)

Trailer (suitable for yard use, needs tires for inspection)

Minn Kota electric trawling motor and bracket (needs battery)

Ritchie Compass

Gusher bilge pump

Oars

Danforth anchor and rode

PFDs (2 type III jackets 2 type IV throwable cushions)