Invitation to ‘Clover’s Open Day With VetsBoats In Richmond
This past May, Latitude 38 introduced readers to the VetsBoats organization and their majestic yacht, Clover (see Sightings, May 2025). VetsBoats founder Terry Moran and volunteers had brought Clover a long way from her near-sinking condition years prior. Recently, after some time on the hard, she was relaunched and ready for the next phase of her restoration.
“She was on the hard for nine months while we replaced every metal structure holding the keel and framing together in the bow,” says Moran. “Eight stainless steel floors were installed, several frames were repaired, and over 140 feet of planking was replaced. We also wooded the entire hull and treated it with epoxy. We were happy to find the rest of the hull undamaged.”
Clover represents an opportunity to reestablish military veterans’ health and well-being through the “transformative power of wooden boats and sailing.” She serves a dual purpose as a mechanism for personal growth while promoting the craft of wooden-boat restoration.
Her relaunch and subsequent introduction to her new home at the Marina Bay Yacht Harbor in Richmond represents a significant step in her restoration. Now that she’s afloat, all her systems, as well as her original gaff cutter sail plan, can be put in place and made ready for setting sail in 2026.
If you’d like to visit Clover, learn more about her restoration, and support VetsBoats, stop by their open-house event on Wednesday, October 1, starting at 9:00 a.m., Marina Bay Yacht Harbor, Dock F, Richmond.
Further information is available at VetsBoats.org.
It’s great to see Clover again. Our slip at the Oakland Yacht Club was right beside Clover for 30 years. We were very sorry to see her leave. Now we have moved on too after 36 years of owning our 1985 Hunter 34, Alchemie. Clover’s former owners, Lee and Dianne were good friends. Best of luck to her continued restoration.
This is so wonderful ! I remember when she was in great shape before her demise and came to Richmond Boat Works for some engine work. My heartfelt thanks to the wonderful people who restored her and I plan on coming down Oct 1 !
Lee told me when she was built in Scotland, the original owner wanted her to be named “Sea Lover” but the yard carved “Clover” in her keel as they thought it was more appropriate.