Story by Harris & Ellis / May 20, 2025
Author: Dave Harris
We are sad to report that Mark Ellis, co-founder of Harris & Ellis Yachts, has died at the age of 80 in Essex, Connecticut.
Mark was, above all, my friend. He was also my colleague, my business partner, my mentor. He was the guy who regularly dragged me out for lunch to his favourite local Indian buffet when we shared an office, which we did for more than 30 years.
I met Mark In 1973 with the launch of the C&C 48 Discovery, in Bronte Harbour. I had landed a gig as a full-time paid hand on the boat, thanks to owner Bob Grant and his son, Michael, whom I had met at university.
That year, Michael and I took Discovery to Florida. Mark sailed the SORC with Bob and his crew, then again when we sailed north to Newport for the Newport-Bermuda race. We finished third in class.
Later, Mark invited me to work with him on the Aurora Yachts program, which basically meant running around with my toolbox as chief yacht commissioner and hands-on boat yard guy. The first of his Aurora 40s was built by Henri Adriaanse in 1976, pioneering the advent of modern cruising yachts.
The same year, Mark and John Burn (both formerly of C&C Yachts) launched Burn & Ellis Yachts. Mark was the designer, and John and I handled sales out of our office in Oakville. It was a privilege to be on the front line as Mark rolled out the iconic Nonsuch and Niagara designs, along with innovative powerboats and motorsailers like Limestone, Legacy, Northeast, and Bruckmann. We worked with master builders George Hinterhoeller and Erich Bruckmann, yachting legends in their own right. When John left the firm in 1980, Mark and I regrouped as Harris & Ellis Yachts for a long and successful partnership.
Mark, an American, returned to the US in 2011 and focussed on his design practise in Essex, Connecticut. His passing earlier this month brought back a flood of memories. The last time I saw him was at the 2022 Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame inductions in Kingston, Ontario, where Mark made the induction speech for Gordon Fisher, the inspiration behind Nonsuch.
I will miss his friendship, his sardonic wit, and, yes, even the famous self-confidence that accompanied his brilliance. Fair winds, my friend.
Recent price improvement! A luxurious blue water cruiser centre-cockpit model with impressive light air speeds and comfortable heavy weather performance. Location: Sarnia, ON
Schedule your private showing today!
#yachtbroker #boatforsale #luxuryyacht #HarrisEllis #bristolyachts
This Bristol Yachts 56.6 center-cockpit sailboat is a luxurious blue-water cruiser with impressive light air speeds and comfortable heavy weather performance.
She is a sloop with a wide beam, and a moderate draft with the board up.
This boat is equipped with numerous amenities for comfortable cruising.
The build quality is excellent, the interior is warm and cozy, the classic lines are striking. She is a proper yacht in immaculate condition, and she is ready to go sailing.
#boats #boatsales #boatsforsale #yachtlife #yachtsforsale #boatsforsalecanada #yachtsales #findabroker
The elegant, trailerable Crabber has the classic look of a topsail gaff cutter or a modern Bermuda rig set on a graceful hull with low-profile cabin and large protected cockpit, plus a long keel cut away forward for maneuverability.
#boats #boatsales #boatsforsale #yachtlife #yachtsforsale #boatsforsalecanada #yachtsales #findabroker
This Nelson/Marek-designed 43 was built by Carroll Marine and is 1 of only 9 built - the only one with a Wheel. She was designed under the IMS Rules of the early 1990`s and these were good-sailing seakindly boats. Major improvements to decks, hull, keel, electronics and sail inventory since 2019. FASTRAK is ready to sail, and ready to win.
Features: Volvo 45hp diesel Saildrive, new BMG electronics suite, new sails, fresh water since new
#boats #boatsales #boatsdaily #boatsforsale #boatsboatsboats #yachts #yachtsales #yachtspotter #yachtsforsale #yachtservices #boatforsale #findayachtbroker
This classic 1972 Tartan 46 is a seasoned racer/cruiser sailboat. In its first life, it sailed the Great Lakes until 2004 when it was outfitted for a two-year circumnavigation. It came back to freshwater in 2007 and has been gently sailed since then. Features: Perkins 4-108 deisel (1999), Kubota Genny (2003), AquaMarine Watermaker (2003), windlass, electronics (2003)
#boats #boatsales #boatsdaily #boatsforsale #boatsboatsboats #yachts #yachtsales #yachtspotter #yachtsforsale #yachtservices #boatforsale #findayachtbroker
This Regal 3350 Sport Cruiser is absolutely loaded with heat and air, genset, windlass, cockpit grill and large engines. If you compare with other pre-owned 3350`s on the market, there is a big difference in the details with this one - starting with the available power. The base power was the 260 hp 5.7Ls with single prop drives, up to the largest package, the 375 Hp 8.1L`s with Duo Prop drives- a $12K upgrade. With the twin 8.1Ls the 3350 is fast, nimble and a blast to drive.
https://www.harrisellis.com/boat/regal-3350-sport-cruiser/
#boats #boatsales #boatsdaily #boatsforsale #boatsboatsboats #yachts #yachtsales #yachtspotter #yachtsforsale #yachtservices #boatforsale #findayachtbroker
Designed by Robert Perry, the Saga 35 is a serious long-range, blue water cruiser for the discerning sailor. Offering a muscular sail plan with a performance hull and appendage package, she is nonetheless robustly built with numerous thoughtful features, quality equipment, spacious living and gracious style. She is a highly desirable liveaboard vessel which is meant to go places and get there quickly, comfortably and safely. The current owner has updated her wisely - new epoxy bottom, new main and jib sails, new solar panels and more. She is clean, tidy and will be sure to impress.
Whisper II is a first generation C&C MkI. Built between 1974-1977, the 33 MkI became a popular choice for those looking for a cruiser for a small family, and could still perform in racing. Whisper II has seen many upgrades over the past few years. She is well equipped for those looking to cruise and spend time on the hook, and with her arsenal of sails can still be competitive as a club racer.
#boats #boatsales #boatsdaily #boatsforsale #boatsboatsboats #yachts #yachtsales #yachtspotter #yachtsforsale #yachtservices #boatforsale #findayachtbroker
© 2025 Harris & Ellis Yachts. All Rights Reserved
