The newly outfitted Sloop John B was purchased by Charlie Newhall and family in 2024. Hailing from Manchester, Massachusetts, the Sloop John B is an Independence 31 designed by Bruce King and built by Ericson.

Why Sloop John B?

Named for John B. Newhall, an accomplished sailor and international yacht racing judge.

Sailing was a passion from a young age, sparked at the Pleon Yacht Club.  At Harvard, John earned his varsity letter on the national champion sailing team.  As a longtime active member of the Eastern then Manchester Yacht Clubs, he moved from small boat racing to the Bermuda and Halifax races (often as navigator).  He later applied his keen analytical mind as a sailing judge at the Kiel Worlds, America’s Cup, and Olympic Trials.  However, John was most in his element cruising with family on his sailboats Triad and Samoset, preferring downeast Maine and the Canadian Maritimes.