Ted Brewer Custom Bluewater Steel Cutter

Overview & History

Iron Mistress is a true world-cruising steel cutter, designed in collaboration with legendary naval architect Ted Brewerand custom-built by Paul Mooney of Mooney Marine. Conceived as the ultimate liveaboard offshore sailing vessel for a voyaging couple, she combines the strength and security of a radius-chined steel hull with the comfort and practicality needed for circumnavigation.

Boat History & Refit Chronology:

• 1988: First launched

• 1999–2003: Removed from the water for a comprehensive refit at Patten’s Boat Yard, Maine. Work included:

  • Total repainting of interior and exterior using Devoe Bar-Rust 235 undercoats and Awlgrip topcoats

  • All varnishing refinished

  • Custom Corian countertops and cabinets fabricated and installed for increased storage

  • Custom cushions with UltraLeather coverings; aft bunk with Tempur-Pedic foam, forward V-berth with custom Handcraft mattress

  • All interior lighting replaced with Ocean SS lamps and fluorescent fixtures

  • Complete rewiring and installation of isolation transformer

  • New exhaust system, steering system, electronics, and replacement of all cables and hoses

  • New faucets in head and galley

  • Custom 316-L stainless steel railings, radar tower, handrails, aft boomkin structure, and motor cranefabricated and installed

  • All equipment installed and fully functional

• 2006: Second refit and upgrades in New Zealand:

  • New custom boom and gooseneck

  • New deck paint and nonskid

  • Dodger installed for companionway

  • Mainsail recut by Doyle with a new Doyle Stackpack

• 2023–2025: Recent $50k+ refit including new sails, rigging, systems, electronics, fresh Awlgrip of entire boat, - deck included and fully serviced engine

She carries over 1 ton of gear and stores without compromising performance or seaworthiness, has circumnavigated the globe, and is in Bristol condition. Iron Mistress is  a one owner custom boat built for an experienced yachtsman and circumnavigator. She was built and maintained with an open checkbook and is turn-key and ready for her next ocean adventure.

Construction

• Brewer-designed conically developed radius-chined hull – round-hull appearance without distortion

• 10-gauge steel plating, longitudinally framed, stitch welded every 18”

• Minuscule fairing compound (just 2 gallons) – no risk of delamination

• Modified full keel with cutaway forefoot for maneuverability

• Keel-integral 150-gallon fuel tank with removable access plates

• 11,000 lbs lead ingot ballast, removable if necessary

• Keel base: ½” steel plate; sides: ⅜” steel

• Watertight compression bulkhead forward for grounding protection

• Transom-hung steel rudder, massively built, protected above keel shoe

Why Steel?

When it comes to bluewater sailing, nothing offers more confidence than steel. Iron Mistress was built for strength, safety, and longevity — qualities that matter most offshore.

• Unmatched Strength – The strongest boatbuilding material, able to handle storms and impacts that would cripple fiberglass.

• Peace of Mind Rigging – No risk of over-tensioning when tuning your rig.

• Easy Worldwide Repairs – Welders are everywhere; repairs can be made in remote corners of the globe.

• No Hidden Problems – No blisters, delamination, bulkhead issues, or leaking chainplates.

• Watertight Security – Built to keep the ocean out, full stop.

• Flexible Interior Design – Structure doesn’t rely on bulkheads, allowing smarter layouts.

• Comfort in Every Climate – Spray-foam insulation keeps her cool in the tropics and dry/warm in cold weather — no condensation inside.

• Storm Survival – Quite simply, steel gives you the best odds when conditions turn severe.

Steel means safety, durability, and freedom — exactly what you want when setting off across oceans.

Deck & Custom Features

• Modified straight entry bow with increased anchor locker space

• Rounded transom for elegant profile

• 5’ A-frame bowsprit in 4” 316L stainless steel with twin bobstays – massively overbuilt and capable of carrying oversized ground tackle

• Aft-slanting cockpit – no scuppers / no thru-hull maintenance

• Conventional coachroof for comfort and visibility

Rig & Sails

• Cutter rig – all sail handling led aft to cockpit

• Aluminum mast (Metalmast), double spreader, discontinuous rigging

• Oversized 316L standing rigging:

  • ⅜” uppers, forestay, and staysail stay

  • Twin ⅜” backstays for redundancy

  • 5/16” lowers with running backstays

• Sta-loc/Norseman terminals, welded ⅝” SS chainplates

• Profurl furlers on headsails

• Separate storm trysail track with dedicated sail

• Custom New Zealand boom with 3 internal reefing lines, outhaul, clutches

• WALDER boom brake/drogue vang system, preventer rigging

• Lazy jacks with custom stackpack

• Winches: Lewmar, Enkes, Anderson (spinnaker pole continuous winch)

Sail Inventory (Extensive):

• 2025 Mack fully-battened main (new)

• 2023 Mack 110% high-cut jib 

• 2023 Mack staysail 

• Doyle storm trysail (unused)

• Doyle storm staysail (reinforced)

• Anson/North ¾ oz cruising spinnaker

• Multiple genoas, yankee, and spare mains (Doyle, Hard, Anson)

• Tropical awning

Engine & Mechanical

• Yanmar 4JHE 56hp diesel, naturally aspirated, 5500 hrs

• Full professional refurbishment 2023–25 (oil cooler, pumps, starter, plumbing, mounts, aqua drive, etc.) – runs like new

• Conservative Yanmar lifespan: 10,000 hrs+ with routine service

• Triple fuel filtration (dual Racor + Yanmar)

• Unique dual-alternator charging system (Balmar 120A + 210A with new 618 regulators, lithium-ready)

• Floating ground system (critical for steel yachts) – no electrolysis issues

Interior & Systems

Crafted by master shipwright Paul Rollins (York, ME) in a Herreshoff style:

• New England hardwoods + exotic woods (Teak, Iroko, Babingo)

• Iroko framing – rot-proof, structurally enduring

• Custom Herreshoff white & bright interior with painted panels

Features:

• 3 × 20-gal poly water tanks (removable)

• Nauta heavy-duty diesel fuel and waste tank – 14.5 gal

• Seawater Pro watermaker (2025, 17 gph)

• Espar diesel heat

• Nauta 12-gal holding tank

• UltraLeather cushions (navy blue)

• Handcrafted V-berth mattress (hinged), aft bunk with Tempur-Pedic foam

• Broadwater SS 4-burner stove/oven

• SeaFrost holding plate refrigeration/freezer (2021 upgrades) with Glacier Bay lids

• Corian countertops with 3/8” SS fiddles

• Ocean SS reading lights, Hella & Caframo fans

• Airdaft: 62'

Electronics & Electrical

• Garmin MFD + radar (2019) with full WiFi integration

• Raymarine autopilot (2021), depth, AIS, multi-displays

• ICOM M802 SSB + automatic tuner

• Iridium Sat Phone

• Standard Horizon Explorer VHF (2025)

• 2000W Magnum inverter with remote

• Charles isolation transformer (220V/50Hz ready for foreign ports)

• House bank: 6 × golf cart batteries, starting bank separate

• Premium Bose stereo w/ marine cockpit speakers + Pioneer head unit

Additional Equipment

• Two Rule 3000 GPH bilge pumps + remote controls

• High water alarm

• Isotemp 6-gal water heater (2020) + spare

• Trident propane control system

• Extensive spares for all critical systems

• Fleming major windvane

Summary

Iron Mistress is the rare combination of legendary Ted Brewer design, robust steel construction, and thoughtful custom modifications for bluewater cruising. Unlike many yachts of her size, she has already completed a circumnavigation, and her multiple refits ensure she is in Bristol condition and ready for the next adventure. With redundant systems, overbuilt structure, and beautifully crafted interior, she is truly turn-key for world voyaging.