Merritt Walter is the founder of the Rover Schooners and pioneered USCG certification of sailing vessels for carrying passengers. Merritt's extensive portfolio has spawned sailing passenger vessels up and down the east coast. His designs have been built around the world.
Designed for his own use, the Bonny Rover IV is the ideal vessel to sneak up hidden creeks and explore off the beaten path. She showcases classic lines with a plumb stem, plenty of room below for comfortable living, and room on deck for enjoying the world.
With her inside steering and her spacious main salon, the Bonny Rover will whisk you away on dreamy trips up side rivers and into quiet coves for bird watching. Or, perhaps, the Great Loop is your calling and you will join the adventurers, earning your Great Loop pennant.
Bonny Rover IV was built in Norfolk, Virginia by Rover Marine Lines and was completed in 1995.
She features an aft deck, forward deck, and anchor well.
The pilot house exits to both port and starboard with easy walk around on deck.
Vessel located near Jacksonville, Florida, along the St. Johns River.
Bottom paint March, 2026
LOA: 40’
Draft: 36”
Hull: Steel hull
Power: American Diesel 140 hp
Fuel: (2) 40 gal tank each side plus (1) 25 gal. center line tank
Water: (2) 50 gal tanks, fiberglass
Holding tank: (1) 9 Gal
Batteries: (3) batteries (new 2026) with 3 bank charger
Solar: (2) Kyocera solar panels, 130W each
Anchors: (2) plow anchors
1) conventional anchor
Anchor Windlass: Powered, plus manual backup
Dinghy davit
Dinghy
Pilot House: VHF Icom radio
Raymarine chart plotter
Raymarine auto pilot
Under seat storage
Access to port and starboard deck
Access to galley and to main salon
Galley: Abundant storage
Propane oven and stove
12V Koolatron cooler
Dinette converts to additional bunks; storage under seats.
Walk-in pantry with shelving
Main Salon: Full settee down each side
Head and shower
Tool room with workbench, storage, and hanging locker
V-berth with (2) bunks and storage underneath
Engine Room: Port, starboard, and front access to engine.
Ample storage for supplies.
Miscellaneous: Pilot house wheel hand built by naval architect and builder, Merritt Walter
