Paul Gartside Gaff Yawl

Full specification

Wooden Ships Comments

Designed by Paul Gartside, highly respected for his small boat designs, and built by Tim Loftus of Bristol.

The owner spent 2 years researching small boat designs and eventually came upon a 16′ lugger by Gartside, and after discussions between designer and owner it was decided to draw a new boat with slightly more length and a yawl rig.  She still carried the elegant lines with a wine glass transom, very tidy sheer line and low freeboard, but her increased dimensions made her slightly more capable.  The owner wanted a boat for exploring the estuaries and rivers of Devon, beautiful to look at, easy to handle and simply a joy to own.  Gartside was right onboard with this, and remarked that “exploring the estuaries of the West Country in a small boat was rather like the seven summits challenge for sufferers of Youth Deficiency Syndrome”

The boat was built for the present owner with an unbelievable attention to detail using the best materials available.  Since her launch she has been dry stored every winter and cared for in a fitting manner  for such a high quality and pretty boat.  She has proved a joy to sail, easily handled by one if necessary, can be rowed easily with her large sweeps and if necessary can push a strong tide with her small electric outboard.

Written about extensively in Watercraft magazine with articles about her when finished and through the design process.

She is complete with a road trailer, electric outboard and all the equipment required for summer explorations.  Possibly one of the prettiest and smartest small boats we have seen for a long time, an absolute gem in superb condition.

Length on deck                 17′

Beam                                    5’11”

Draft                                      1’6″ plate up

Weight                                 275kg

Sail area                               156sqft

Construction

Clinker planked in Larch on steam bent oak timbers, all copper fastened.  Solid oak transom.

Oak stem, stern post and keel.  Douglas Fir stringers.

Solid Douglas Fir centreplate case and thwarts, all finished in gloss varnish.  Centreplate of solid oak with 10kg lead inserts.  Folding rudder with varnished mahogany cheeks and a weighted oak blade.

Deck is laid in double diagonal tight seamed Larch planking on Douglas Fir deck beams and beamshelf.  Finished externally with epoxy glass cloth and non slip deck paint.

Varnished oak coaming all round, canted out for comfort when sitting in the boat.

Bevelled varnished oak rubbing strake all round.  All cast bronze deck fittings.

Large oak chocks on the side decks for rowlocks.

Rig

Gaff yawl rig on solid keel stepped Douglas Fir masts and varnished Douglas Fir spars.

Mainmast has a clever adaptation allowing it to be folded at deck level so it stows on deck without lifting it, making life simple for towing or getting under low bridges.

Stainless steel standing rigging to external bronze chain plates.  Simple rigging with a single cap shroud either side and a single forestay to the stem head, no back stays either running or standing are required.

Mizzen mast is unstayed and simply drops into a slot against the transom slightly offset to starboard to avoid the tiller where it is secure and strong.  Bumpkin fits through a hole in the transom and mizzen sheets to the end of this.

Mizzen, main and jib all in a lightweight cream terylene cloth by Bristol Sails.

Traditional looking running rigging with varnished wooden blocks.

Jamming blocks are used for mizzen and headsail sheets to make sailing her a simple task.  While tacking upwind the mizzen is left entirely alone and the headsail can be sheeted in easily with one hand.

Machinery

Torquedo electric outboard fits in brackets under the starboard side deck forward.  When in use it has a well in the aft deck on the port side.  The outboard is light and easy to use, it pushes her along very easily and is perfect for overcoming a heavy tide if the wind drops away.

Inventory

Galvanised road trailer

Towing equipment including straps and light board

Pair of oars and rowlocks

Rudder and tiller

Centreplate

Mainsail, mizzen and jib

Running rigging

Electric outboard

All over cover

Full specification and details available upon request

Disclaimer:

These particulars have been prepared in good faith from information provided by the Vendors and are intended as a guide, Wooden Ships cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. The Purchaser should instruct his agent or surveyor to validate all details as necessary and satisfy himself with the condition of the vessel and its equipment.