What’s Old is New Again: Refurbishers honored at Seaport’s boat rendezvous

Jennifer Harner of Westerly, known as “the boat builder from Ohio,” and R.J. Burns of Niantic recently helped each other complete their boat refurbishing projects at the Seaport Marine in Mystic. Their work was recognized in the Mystic Seaport’s 33rd annual Antique and Classic Boat Rendezvous.  

Burns headed the project on the Eagle Class sloop EZILI, and Harner headed the refurbishing on Sea Lark.

“EZILI won a special citation for the restoration of an important vessel that the judges described as ‘one of the seven raised-deck racing yachts designed in 1925 for Lake Michigan waters and the only one known to survive,’” Burns said. “EZILI has a thoroughbred pedigree. Built in 1926 to the design of Francis H. Early, [the boat] is one of seven universal 17 design knockabout sloops, or ‘S’ boats, commissioned as a racing class by the Chicago Yacht Club. Her original owner was William Wrigley, scion of the chewing gum empire and owner of the Chicago Cubs. The vessel fell into disrepair after decades of use and was donated to the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, R.I. Blake Perkins, the current owner, purchased EZILI in 2004.”

Burns and Harner started work won the almost 30-foot-long EZILI, originally called VANITE, in October. Now restored and refurbished, EZILI was taken to the Seaport’s annual rendezvous to show off its new look.

“The owner of EZILI insisted that the boat be in the show,” Burns said.
Burns first didn’t understand why, but Perkins knew it would be worth it.
Along with EZILI arrived the almost 33-foot boat Sea Lark, owned by Sam Crowley of Noank and refurbished by Harner. Sea Lark received a special citation for upkeep of a Webster Eldridge lobster boat. Burns said the work boat was built in 1941 at Eldridge’s yard, which was located near the current Spicer’s yard in Noank. Burns said Crowley stated that he maintains Sea Lark because “she is an iconic treasure of Noank. She is one of a kind.”

“Sam was first exposed to Sea Lark when he and his dear friend Dave Dunn would take their families cruising together,” Burns said. “Sam sailed with his family on a Tartan sailboat and Dave would have his family along on Sea Lark. In January of 1999 Sam became Sea Lark’s fourth owner.”

As separate citations were given to both boats during the boat show, Burns said he was surprised that their labor-intensive work was recognized from the judging panel.

“To be recognized for our efforts…it was very satisfying…and to be recognized purely on merit….felt really good,” Burns said.