REDSTART - LITTLE HARBOR FOR SALE

Elegant shoal‑draft Hood bluewater sailing cruiser with 2‑cabin/2‑head layout, furling main, electric winches, and recent updates. Light summer use only since launch, presenting a refined, luxurious sailing yacht in excellent condition.

Introduction

REDSTART is a superb exemplar of the handsome Hood‑designed Little Harbor 44, delivering the rare combination of spirited performance, kindly seakeeping, and a shoal draft of just 5' with the centerboard raised. Built to uncompromising standards, she is easily handled short‑handed thanks to electric winches and a furling mainsail, while her desirable two‑stateroom, two‑head arrangement provides privacy and flexibility for family cruising or hosting guests. Cherished by only three owners, REDSTART has seen summer use only with protected indoor storage every winter since new, and she benefits from significant recent upgrades including fresh hull and mast paint, updated sails and electronics, and numerous refinements throughout. For the sailor seeking a pedigreed, high‑quality yacht that is truly turn‑key and priced to sell, REDSTART commands serious consideration.

Accommodations and layout

REDSTART sleeps four in two private staterooms, with accommodations for three more in the inviting main salon. The interior is beautifully crafted with satin‑finished solid teak trim, paneled cabin doors, and louvered or lattice‑front lockers throughout. Varnished laid teak‑and‑holly soles glow beneath removable overhead panels bordered by laminated deck beams, while generous opening portlights, deck hatches, cowl vents, and a hull window bathe the space in light and fresh air. Interior fabrics were tastefully renewed several years ago and present as new, and every berth is fitted with a sumptuous memory‑foam mattress for exceptional comfort under way and at anchor. Forward, a large V‑berth converts to a double with a filler, surrounded by abundant storage in two bureaus with drawers, two hanging lockers, and multiple lockers; a large overhead hatch, two opening portlights, and a dorade vent ensure excellent ventilation. Just aft to starboard, the forward head offers a private entrance, sink and vanity, shower, a teak grate, and generous stowage. The main salon features a full U‑shaped settee to starboard and a centerline settee that hinges up for effortless engine access; the up/down teak dining table transforms the starboard settee into a comfortable double berth. Unique to this LH 44 is a large hull portlight—re‑bedded in 2024—that floods the salon with additional light and sightlines. To port, a straight settee is paired with a forward nav station and an outboard pilot berth. The galley is ideally positioned aft to starboard by the companionway for safe, at‑sea cooking, and is comprehensively equipped with a Grunert refrigerator and freezer with hold‑over plates (raw‑water pump replaced in 2025), a Force 10 three‑burner stove with oven and broiler, twin stainless‑steel sinks, hot‑and‑cold pressure water, manual salt and fresh water, and a full inventory of galleyware. Aft to port, the double guest cabin offers twin berths that convert to a generous double with a small filler, complemented by a double hanging locker and numerous drawers and lockers. The aft head serves both privately from this cabin and from the main salon, and includes a sink with vanity, shower, and teak grate.

Electronics and navigation equipment

A comprehensive, modern electronics suite centers on twin Garmin 4210 GPS/plotters, with a crisp 10‑inch display at the nav station and an 8‑inch display at the helm (2012), paired to a Garmin radar (2016) for confident situational awareness. Garmin sailing instruments provide precise data with four repeaters in the cockpit and one at the helm (2016), while a Garmin 200 VHF with wireless handheld (2014) and a Garmin AIS transceiver (2014) enhance communication and traffic tracking. Offshore readiness is furthered by a Starlink terminal and router (2025), Garmin satellite weather (2014), and a Globalstar satellite phone (2016). Autopilot duties are handled by a Raymarine ST 7002, entertainment comes via a stereo with speakers in the salon and cockpit (2016), and classic essentials include a clock and barometer.

Electrical system

The yacht is wired for versatility with 12‑volt DC and 110‑volt AC systems served by a custom switch panel at the nav station. Power storage is robust, with three 8D AGM house batteries and one 4D AGM start battery, all new in 2020, supported by an engine alternator and a Xantrex inverter/charger. Shoreside connectivity is via 30‑amp shore power with cord and adapters, while onboard comfort is enhanced by Hella two‑speed fans in the cabins and elegant brass reading lights.

Engine/mechanical equipment

Propulsion is provided by a dependable Westerbeke 64 A diesel (2006) turning a three‑blade feathering propeller, polished by fuel through dual Racor 500 filters. Recent care includes routine service and valve adjustments in 2024, with the heat exchanger, transmission cooler, and exhaust elbow replaced the same year; the exhaust riser, injectors, and various drain hoses were renewed in 2016, and sink and shower hoses plus galley faucets were updated in 2014. Mechanical amenities include an exhaust blower and an Espar diesel cabin heater rebuilt in 2025. Sanitary systems are robust, with two Jabsco toilets and hoses (all new 2016/2020) and two holding tanks with overboard discharge (forward new 2016, aft new 2013). Bilge management is comprehensive, featuring an automatic bilge pump, two manual diaphragm bilge pumps, and an emergency bilge pump. Deck care and dockside convenience are served by a saltwater washdown pump, a fresh‑water washdown, and a shore‑water inlet.

Sails and rigging

The rig is optimized for power and ease, anchored by a Hood Sto’way double‑spreader electric‑furling main mast (painted 2016) with a new furling motor installed in 2017. A Harken genoa furler, wire standing rigging, and a removable inner forestay with runners broaden sailplan options, while a spinnaker pole stored on the mast (in storage) stands ready for downwind work. Fine tuning comes via Navtec hydraulic adjusters for both backstay and boom vang. The sail inventory is equally capable: a Doyle furling mainsail with vertical battens (2013), a Doyle furling yankee (2013), a Doyle asymmetrical spinnaker (2010), a Doyle storm jib (2017), and a dedicated forestaysail. Winch power is abundant, with a pair of Barient #32 ST electric primaries, a pair of Barient #23 ST for mainsheet and outhaul, a pair of Barient #28 ST secondaries, a single Merriman centerboard winch, a pair of Barient #21 halyard winches, and a single Barient #18 halyard winch.

Deck and hull construction

The Little Harbor pedigree is evident in the hand‑laminated fiberglass hull and deck built with an Airex‑cored sandwich, with solid laminate in way of the centerline, engine beds, rudder post, and all through‑hull fittings. Internal lead ballast is fully encapsulated within the molded keel, and performance and control are elevated by a NACA foil‑shaped centerboard and a balanced spade rudder. The centerboard configuration yields a minimum draft of 5' with the board up and 10'‑2" down, opening vast cruising grounds. Topsides gleam in custom blue Awlgrip with a gold cove stripe and double white boot stripes (all new in 2017), over a red bottom (new spring 2020). The bottom was soda‑blasted and protected with a new epoxy barrier coat in 2013, and the white decks feature light‑grey non‑skid applied in 2013.

Deck and misc. details

On deck, ground tackle and hardware are curated for authority and elegance: a Maxwell anchor windlass feeds a custom stainless stemhead fitting with two anchor rollers, handling a Rocna 55‑lb anchor on an all‑chain rode and a Danforth anchor on a nylon rode with chain. Safety and utility flow from stainless bow and stern rails with lifelines, bow, stern, and midship chocks and cleats, plus inboard and outboard stainless genoa tracks with fairlead cars. Ventilation and access are superb, with seven deck hatches with screens, fourteen stainless opening portholes (re‑bedded in 2016), four stainless cowl vents, and a stainless hoisting crane for the outboard. Brightwork is impeccable, with varnished teak toe rails, grab rails, drip rails, dorade boxes, a cockpit table, and cockpit trim refreshed with maintenance coats in spring 2020. Cockpit comforts include a dodger with elkhide grab bars, a cockpit awning, and plush cockpit cushions with backrests. A custom stainless‑and‑teak transom swim ladder (2013), ship’s bell, dock lines, fenders, two fender boards, and numerous spare parts round out a thoroughly equipped deck.

Safety equipment

Well prepared for bluewater cruising, REDSTART carries a Revere Ocean Standard six‑person life raft (new 2025, valise), a fully provisioned ditch bag, a MOM‑8 module, a LifeSling recovery system, a drogue, and an EPIRB. Personal safety is enhanced by three Spinlock inflatable PFD/harnesses each with an AIS beacon and five additional life jackets, while jacklines, a comprehensive medical kit, an emergency tiller, and fire extinguishers stand at the ready. A radar reflector mounted on the mast adds a valuable layer of visibility.

Exclusions

The owner’s personal effects are excluded from the sale.

Recent updates/services (since 4/2025)

Recent work underscores a careful, no‑compromise stewardship. The fuel system underwent diagnostics, both fuel sending units were replaced, and the gauges were fully calibrated to the 120‑gallon capacity. Electrical updates were completed at the breaker panel. The Espar heater received a new exhaust elbow and flex section along with heat wrap and protective covering, and the engine was serviced with a new fuel lift pump installed. The refrigerator unit was treated to a new circulation pump. Bilge and safety checks verified proper operation of all bilge pumps, float switches, and the high‑water alarm. Connectivity was elevated with a Starlink system installed on a stern‑rail mount with clean internal cable routing. Safety gear was upgraded to a new Revere Ocean Standard six‑person life raft in a valise pack. The interior saw a cosmetic refresh with new upholstery and soft goods, selected light fixtures were replaced—including the port‑side master‑cabin closet—and galley lighting was upgraded to LEDs. Exterior care included stainless‑steel polishing and a full topside wash, wax, and compound. Finally, the dinghy and outboard were commissioned with installation, setup, and launch, and new fenders and dockside protection were added.