A near century of History
Here in 2025 we are only 4 years from Voyager’s centennial birthday. Probably we should be planning a blowout party, and maybe we will, but 2029 may also be the time we begin looking to pass her on to a new owner(s). Loch admits, “I was 56 when we bought Voyager, about 6 years older than my father was when he took off to sail around the world for 15 years. I don’t think I’ll get as far as he did, but I do want to log some miles.”
Voyager is passed to the next generation. Purchased by Bill Bennett (son-in-law) and Loch Phillipps, (son) in 2016, she gets an injection of new, if unsteady energy. It will take a few years before the new crew figures out how to take care of the old girl the way the old man and mate Jeanette learned to do.
The round the world trip ends in 2005. Captain Peter Phillipps, understandably tired of climbing in and out of wobbly dories in his early 70s decides to slow down. He and Jeanette, architects, build their dream home in Rockland, ME, with Voyager on her mooring within view. Sadly Pete passes in 2010 just after construction is completed. His 50 years of adventure on Voyager are over.
Voyager is reborn in Thailand. All that Jeanette and Pete have learned over their first 40 years of sailing is put into a new hull. Hidden beneath her black topside paint are hardwoods that should last 50 years or more.
Voyager’s greatest adventure begins with a transatlantic crossing in June of 19XX.
Two weeks hauled Gannon & Benjamin on Martha’s Vineyard prepares Voyager for heavy ocean sailing. Though not a total rebuild, lessons learned will not be forgotten.
After years of constant leaking, Captain Phillipps decides it’s time to double down on Voyager. In the same Lunenburg, N.S. shed that housed the building of Bluenose II and HMS Rose, her hull is completely rebuilt.
1929. Thomaston, Maine, at the Morse Shipyard: Tyrone rolls down the way for her first splash. Her 2nd owner rechristens her Voyager. This is what we know of her design and first four owners.