The Browne family sails Moon Dancer almost daily in summer, enjoying afternoon and sunset sails on Narragansett Bay with friends and family.

If the boat has a shortcoming it’s the narrow beam, which Kristin points out Hinckley later addressed with the Bermuda 40 design. A lack of refrigeration makes food storage more challenging as well, she said. 

There’s plenty of time to deal with the refrigeration issue, because it seems unlikely that Moon Dancer is going anywhere. Her owners already dream of their future with the boat, which might include sailing her south to the Bahamas or perhaps living aboard for a few years. Oliver and Ben, junior sailors on the Bristol Yacht Club team, enjoy the boat just as much. A plan to sail her to Southwest Harbor, Maine, may come together soon

“Oliver is already asking for the keys,” Kristin said. “He’s a freshman at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy so we know he can handle her soon.”

Oliver and his brother might be ready, but they’ll have to fight off their parents, who are busy making big plans for the boat they love.

Moon Dancer

1975 Hinckley Pilot 35 yawl

Designed by Sparkman and Stephens

LOA 35’ 6”; Beam 9’ 6”; Draft 5’;

Displacement 13,700 lbs.

Kristin enjoys the last vestiges of daylight.