Wooden ships comments on this RNLI Sailing life boat
The Henry Finlay is a fine example of the early RNLI sailing life boat. It is amazing to us now that these boats were launched off a beach on a wooden wheeled “cart” then rowed to the casualty. Assuming that many “shouts” were as a result of bad weather rowing a boat like this off a beach and into a bad sea does not bear thinking about.
She had 6 oars each side and set the relatively small sail area in the right conditions.
The crew sat on hard wood benches, wore the old fashioned cork life jackets which cannot have helped rowing and to judge by the old photos a woolly hat was the dress of the day.
This example has survived in remarkable condition largely due to the fact that with the exception of the 2nd World War years when she was laid up she has been in constant service either with the RNLI or as a private boat doing tourist trips.
The design is a long keeled boat with a fairly sharp stem, well flared above the water-line to throw the spray clear, a full mid-ships section for buoyancy and stability and a pointed stern to break the following seas with the rudder hung on the stern post.
This is an open boat so to achieve the buoyancy required for an unsinkable life boat a cuddy is built at either end of the same construction as the hull but lighter and completely sealed and water-tight. Being quite high it also has the effect of making the craft self righting.
The Henry Finlay has a Harbour Master’s Licence to operate as a passenger carrying vessel including hours of darkness.
March 2012 survey report.
Construction.
Typical of all life boats from the turn of the century to the last wooden boats of the 1960’s she is built of double diagonal mahogany. This involves laying boards of mahogany approx 6” x ¼” thick diagonally to the waterline, the outer skin diagonally over-lapping the inner skin and all through fastened with hundreds of copper nails and roves. Calico set in white lead was usually laid between the layers. Many such hulls had 3 or even 4 layers resulting in a very strong, slightly flexible and totally water-tight hull yet surprisingly light due to the absence of the usual heavy oak frames.
The hull is built effectively as 2 separate sides and fastened to the long oak back-bone with oak “floors” (structural cross members) across the centre-line.
Gusset type frames are fitted every 3’ approx with twin stringers each side.
The varnished mahogany coaming on the inner face of the stout gunnel creates a girder effect giving the whole gunnel the strength required to resist side impact if coming hard alongside.
Massive oak Sampson posts are fitted in each corner against the bulkheads.
The forward “cuddy” contains a Portaloo chemical toile, warps and fender stowage and can be used as a shelter in bad weather for perhaps 2 or 3 people. A door in the bulkhead makes the space reasonably easily accessible.
The after cuddy is used for stowage only with a smaller access panel.
Steering.
A rudder is hung the full length of the slightly raked stern post. The original operating mechanism of a steel yoke on the rudder-head with tiller lines to the helmsman is still in place and rigged but a modern low pressure hydraulic mechanism is now fitted with a ram on the port side of the rudder head operated by a traditional spoked teak wheel mounted on a pedestal in the middle of the boat.
Rig
These pulling and sailing life boats carried a 2-masted rig on light pole masts stepped on the keel against the forward and after bulkheads and setting a gaff sail on the fore or main mast and a small lugsail on the mizzen.
The masts could be relatively easily unstopped and lowered.
Varnished spruce masts. Synthetic hemp stays.
Engine.
The craft was built without an engine, the first engine being installed after she came out of service in Teignmouth in 1945.
Now fitted with a Yanmar 3J2HE 3-cylinder diesel engine installed in 2013, flexibly mounted on massive engine bed.
Yanmar single lever controlled gear-box with conventional centre-line shaft drive swinging a 10” 3-bladed prop.
Morse engine controls and engine instrument panel mounted on the steering pedestal.
Batteries: 1 x 12v engine start battery
1 x 12v lighting battery.
Engine alternator with splitting diode.
Equipment: 12 life jackets
2 x 12-man Carley Floats
2 x 12v bilge pumps on float switches
Magnificent period spotlight mounted on the forward deck
Portaloo
Splendid all-over winter cover on wooden supports.
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.
This series of Storebro Twin Screw motor yachts were built in Gothenburg, Sweden and have always been regarded as very good quality boats. The yard went on to produce a similar boat in grp followed by many more grp designs.
The Royal was one of the bigger designs and the most popular. The design is particularly appealing with a 2-berth sleeping cabin at either end, a large saloon in the middle and a covered open-backed helm position which doubles as a further living space in the right weather conditions. The engines were sited under the helm position making them fully accessible.
This boat was built in 1969 and imported into UK by her Yorkshire owner. She spent most of her life on the East Coast.
Purchased by the previous owner in 2001 and a thorough refit was done particularly to the accommodation and equipment.
The engines were overhauled in 2003 and in 2011 she had another big refit, this time addressing some soft planking found in the topsides.
During this time she made 8 cross Channel passages and cruised the Dutch, Belgian and French canals.
A recent survey revealed a few more deteriorated planks in the topsides. She has been in commission all through the season of 2014 but is now out of the water and available for a full examination. She is offered at a very low price in view of the work required but she must be sold.
Length on deck 34’ 10.35m
Beam 10’4”
Draft 3’
Construction. Long keel, chine hull with good height topsides. Transom stern flared bow. Conventionally built plank on frame. Mahogany planking on steam bent oak timbers.
Deck. Laid teak deck over a ply sub deck. Varnished mahogany cover-boards and king plank.
Stainless steel pulpit. Wide fore deck, narrow side deck and aft deck.
Superstructure. Midships helm position, open backed, enclosed with a canvas cover fitted with side and aft windows so can be carried at sea. Raffish rake to the windscreen.
Forward coach-roof over the saloon cabin, windows all round.
After coach-roof over the aft cabin, guard rails all round.
Accommodation 4 berths in 2 cabins + saloon cabin, galley and heads.
Decent fore cabin with V berths, distinctive circular glazed hatch over. Chain locker forward, high level door access. Hanging locker at the after end of both berths.
Stbd offset doorway aft to saloon cabin. U-shaped settee to port round the table, all nicely upholstered in blue fabric on shaped cushions. Varnished parquet flooring.
Galley down the stbd side with 2-burner gas cooker and stainless steel sink with pressurised hot and cold water.
Heads in the after stbd corner with sea toilet, hand basin and H&C shower.
WC either pumped overboard or into a holding tank.
Stbd offset door with 3 steps up to the helm position. Port side traditional spoked teak wheel with a very respectable display console – oil, temp and rev counters for both engines + 2 x Morse levers, a whole row of switches and the modern nav instruments above.
Centre-line steps down aft to the 2 berth aft cabin with port and stbd berths, hand basin and full length wardrobe.
Hot water from heat exchanger on the engines and 240v immersion heater when alongside.
6’ + head-room all through. Tidy and largely original varnished mahogany joinery.
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.
Wooden Ships Comments on this 30′ Twin engine motor yacht
Purposeful looking motor yacht with similar lines to a small Nelson hull but with the benefit of a good sized superstructure to make her a spacious and useable boat below. Built in 1968 on the east coast, she has been used for many years to cruise the Solent and surrounding coasts with occasional trips to France. She is economic at 6 knots cruising speed but can happily push on into a good blow if necessary. Split accommodation with an aft cabin and fore cabin which is unusual in a boat this size. The saloon is big enough for a few people but the wheelhouse is what gives her a big benefit by providing a large amount of extra covered space. Survey available form 2010. She has been antifouled and painted this season, engines have been serviced and she is ready to be used for the rest of the season.
LOD 29’10”
Beam 10’10”
Draft 3’3”
Construction
Hull
Planked in Brazilian mahogany above the waterline, larch below, all copper rivet fastened to steam bent oak timbers.
Grown oak floors. External iron ballast keel with iron keel bolts. Small oak bilge keels.
Hull is fair and tight and has been painted and antifouled this season. Finished with a heavy rope rubbing band around the gunnel.
Decks and cockpit
Yacht laid iroko deck joggled to a king plank and bronze Gripfast nail fastened to a marine plywood subdeck. Seams payed with Sikaflex.
High varnished mahogany toe rail all round with freeing ports, supported at the forward end with stainless steel straps.
Mixture of bronze and galvanise deck fittings.
Superstructure
Large central wheelhouse with fore and aft coachroofs giving headroom in the living areas of the boat. Superstructure is all varnished mahogany.
Coahcroof coamings with bronze oval prtholes. Coachroof decks are marine plywood sheathed in GRP. Seating area on the aft coachroof with guard rails round capped off with a varnished mahogany handrail.
Wheelhouse is spacious with lots of headroom, access port and starboard through sliding wooden doors
Machinery
Engines
Twin 35hp 3cyl Perkins Perama diesels installed new in 1991. 630 hours recorded.
Hurth Gearboxes to stainless steel shafts to 3 balde bronze propellers with external P-brackets
Batteries
12 volt battery bank with dedicated engine start batteries for each engine and a domestic bank.
Charging from bith engine alternators and a charger when connected to shore power.
Tanks
400l fuel capacity in 2 separate tanks
800l water capacity in 2 separate tanks
Steering
Wheel steering with cables to a centreline steel plate rudder.
Accommodation
Berths
4 berths in 2 separate cabins
Wheelhouse
Large wheelhouse with great visibility all round. Wheel steering to port with clear engine controls and navigation instruments.
Seating at the aft end, central companionway going aft and offset starboard companionway going forward.
Saloon
Entrance to the saloon is port side of the wheelhouse. Dinette seating area to port with seating for 4 people comfortably. Galley to starboard. Good headroom throughout.
Aft cabin
Two good sized single berths port and starboard with central shelves and storage beneath the bunks. Lower headroom than the rest of the boat.
Heads
Heads compartment to port as you descend the companionway to the aft cabin with a shower to starboard. Lavac sea toilet, manually pumps directly overboard.
Shower has pressurised hot and cold water and drains to a sump tank that pumps overboard.
Galley
Galley is to starboard in the main saloon. 2 burner gimballed gas stove with oven and grill. Single stainless steel sink with pressurised hot and cold water. 12v fridge.
Equipment
Steering compass
Log and sounder
Radar
GPS chart plotter
AIS
Autopilot with handheld wifi remote.
Liferaft
Lifejackets
Life buoys
Searchlight
Emergency steering
Fishermans anchor with warp and chain
Inflatable dinghy
4hp outboard
All over winter cover, new 2013.
Warps
Fenders
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.
Wooden ships comments on this Twin engine Maclean motor yacht
designed and built by Hugh McLean & Sons, Glasgow in 1936. Part 1 Registered
Registered on the National Register of Historic Vessels.
Length on deck 36’
Lwl 34’
Beam 9’4”
Draft 3’9”
Thames tonnage 11TM
A Classic motor yacht of the period typical of many at the time but sadly few have survived.
This one was bought by the present owner in 1986 in Southampton. A survey at the time revealed several defective planks and a number of cracked steam bent timbers, all of which is standard for this type and age of vessel.
The superstructure was already at that time stated to be mahogany ply and pine with a grp scrim over so had already been changed from the original.
Photos of the original superstructure configuration are available.
The hull shape is a very conventional long keeled yacht with a straight stem and transom stern.
The hull is carvel planked in pitch-pine on an oak back-bone. Frames are grown oak at approx 3’ 6”centres with 4 x steam bent timbers between.
Long external iron ballast keel.
The deck appears to be the original t&g pine deck which would have probably been canvas sheathed as was the way at the time, now canvas removed and the pine overlaid with a thin layer of marine ply, probably ¼ “ and then overlaid again with a layer of either epoxy and glass cloth or GRP and glass scrim, all of which makes a very strong and totally water-tight deck.
Varnished mahogany cover-board down the middle of the fore deck.
Traditional glazed mahogany sky-light midships with protective bars, fitted with smart new cover.
Stainless steel pulpit. Galvanised steel stanchions all round the fore deck with twin guard wires.
The superstructure is obviously of more recent build and different from the original as seen in several photos which show a long coach-roof, pilot house and large aft cock-pit.
The present superstructure is built of a pine frame with plywood panels, it appears to be strong, water-tight and has proved to be strong and sea-worthy for many years past of extensive cruising.
Nav lights and grab rails on the wheel-house roof.
The engines are located under the wheel-house floor with good all round access.
Conventional shaft drive.
Rig.
Gaff ketch rig on wooden masts stepped in steel shoes. Main mast mast band with pins takes the halyards.
Leathered gaff saddle.
Galvanised rigging wires with rigging screws to external galvanised chain plates.
Main sail, mizzen and headsail all in red terylene and seen in very respectable condition.
Tufnol blocks.
Accommodation.
4 berths.
Aft cabin with large double berth, Standing head-room
Centre-line steps up to wheel-house, door each side, wheel forward port.
Stbd off–set steps down to the saloon cabin. Settee berth each side. Solid fuel stove against the aft bulkhead. The bulkheads are panelled in varnished pine. Pine joinery. Standing head-room.
Stbd off-set doorway in the forward bulkhead to the galley. Stbd stainless steel sink, with gas water heater over on the bulkhead.
Smart 2-burner grill and oven gimballed gas cooker to port with oak work surface either side.
Dooway to port forward to the heads in the fore peak. Blake sea toiler to port, sink in a work surface to stbd.
Pressurised water supply from approx 30 gall galvanised water tank in the lazarette.
Steel fuel tanks either side of the engines, approx 30 galls each.
Inventory
Sestral steering compass.
VHF radio
Lowrance plotter
Raymarine sounder and log
Auto-pilot
Danforth anchor
Chain
Manual windlass
Various other items of cruising equipment
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.
Wooden ships comments on this Osbourne twin engine motor yacht
Osborne twin engine motor yacht designed and built by Osborne’s of Littlehampton in 1964.
Hard chine semi displacement hull which was a design development of the typical motor yachts that were in production at the time. The advent of marine diesel engines with a better power to weight ratio meant there was a growing demand for comfortable motor yachts with more speed than the conventional round bilge boats that would cruise at 8 knots. The Osborne offered comfortable and economic cruising at 12 knots which makes an enormous difference over the length of a passage.
Transom stern with a straight stem and reasonably high freeboard means there is a lot of useable space within the hull, allowing for two separate cabins, two heads, a large saloon and spacious wheelhouse.
The hull is constructed of double diagonal mahogany with a layer of white lead and calico between, all through fastened with copper rivets. Widely spaced oak frames help give rigidity to the hull.
This was a tried and tested method of construction by this time and gave a very effective strength to weight ratio which was perfect for the semi displacement planing hull.
Deck is laid in teak over a ply wood sub deck and joggled to a varnished coverboard, screw fastened to pine deck beams.
Plywood coamings and superstructure, finished in varnish.
Central raised wheelhouse with sliding entrance doors port and starboard and good visibility from large windows.
Forward coachroof over the saloon with aluminium framed windows and sheathed plywood coachroof deck. The coachroof leaves side decks and foredeck large enough for easy passage moving around the boat.
Aft coachroof over the aft cabin with stainless steel rails all round with a teak capping. Outside helm position at a stand alone consol on the aft coachroof deck with a single helm seat and windscreen for protection on the wheelhouse roof. Hydraulic wheel steering.
Stainless steel stanchions and railings all round, bolted through the coverboard, with a varnished teak capping rail.
Chromed bronze deck fittings including cleats and fairleads.
Machinery
Pair of General Motors 6cyl 2 stroke 180hp Detroit diesels. Both engines rebuilt in last 8 years.
Single lever Morse controls to Borg Warner 2:1 hydraulic gearboxes. Stainless shafts to 3 blade bronze propellers supported by bronze P-brackets.
12 knots economical cruising, 22 knots max.
Small bronze spade rudders with hydraulic operation from wither the inside or outside helm position.
Both engines have been professionally rebuilt are in very smart condition. The engine room appears generally smart and well organised.
Tanks
2 x 500l stainless steel fuel tanks port and starboard under the wheelhouse with water separator fuel filters.
2 x 450l stainless steel water tanks under the saloon cabin sole.
Batteries
4 x 12volt batteries, split between engine starting and domestic with charging from the engine alternators.
Accommodation
Sliding entrance doors either side into the wheelhouse. Port side helm position with helmsman seat, superb visibility all round. Extra seating to starboard and either side at the aft end of the wheelhouse.
Centreline entrance to the aft cabin with steps down. Port side double berth and starboard single with large hanging locker and storage area in the aft against the transom. Aft heads is just forward of the aft cabin entrance to starboard with the shower compartment to port.
Centreline steps down from the wheelhouse into the main saloon with large port and starboard settee berths and a centreline drop leaf mahogany table. Saloon is finished with gloss white bulkheads and varnished mahogany trim and cabin doors.
Full standing headroom throughout. Hot air heating.
L-shape galley at the forward starboard end of the saloon with a 2 burner gimballed gas stove and oven. Single stainless sink gravity drains overboard
Gas fired hot water heating provides pressurised hot water to heads and galley.
Heads compartment at forward port hand side of saloon cabin.
Forward cabin with twin V-berths and ample storage.
Inventory
Steering compass inside and out
VHF
Garmin GPS
JRC 1500 radar
Auto pilot
Lifejackets
Horse shoe lifebuoy
Flare pack
5 x fire extinguishers
2 x anchors
Ample chain and warp
Electric windlass
Avon 9’ dinghy
Johnson 4hp putboard
Mooring warps
Fenders
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.
Wooden ships comments on this Percy Mitchell Motor yacht
Built by the celebrated Percy Mitchell of Mevagissey, Cornwall in 1962 as a gentleman’s motor yacht.
Mitchell has a reputation for building very good quality, strong boats and this is no exception.
The yacht has Mitchell’s typical pronounced sheer emphasised by a varnished sheer plank, varnished rubbing strake and toe rail over with a little kick-up to the stern, full bodied, attractive heart shaped transom, good flare to keep the bow dry, nice proportions and very pretty.
Mitchell’s book shows a photo of her on launch day.
Carvel planked mahogany all copper fastened to heavy sawn oak frames with 2 steamed intermediates on a long oak keel fitted with sacrificial hardwood shoe with short, shallow bilge keels each side.
Oak rudder under the overhanging transom on a keel extension skeg.
1.5 tons internal lead ballast. Heavy oak floors.
Low maintenance, cascover sheathed ply deck.
Long coach-roof with mahogany coamings, painted exterior and fitted with 4 opening bronze ports each side. Varnished fore hatch on fwd end, sky-light midships, grab rails each side, edged in varnished mahogany.
Varnished mahogany dog-house gives good shelter over the fwd end of the large cock-pit, fitted with opening centre window and Kent Clearview screen.
Wheel steering to port on cables to rudder-head with emergency tiller fitting,
Stbd side entrance door to the cabin, engine under a box between, table over.
Varnished hardwood sole boards, large seat/locker across the after end, steps down each side from the side decks.
BMC Commander diesel 4-cyl 2.2 litre 55hp @3500rpm fresh water cooled with heat exchanger gives 6knts cruising.
Throttle and separate gear change lever.
Centre line 3-blade 21.5” x 14” bronze prop
2 x 20 gall steel fuel tanks under after deck.
Approx 1/3 gph consumption. 2 x 12v batteries on 12v circuits. 240v shore power connection.
Accommodation. 4 berths.
V-berths with infill to make a double berth in a fore cabin, lockers under, head-room under the fwd end of the coach-roof, hatch over, chain chute pipe between.
Bulkhead to saloon cabin with port and stbd settee berths, lockers behind the upholstered settee backs with shelf over. Drinks locker at fwd end of the stbd settee, side-board at fore end of port settee.
Polished cabin sole, varnished table between.
Aft to port, heads compartment with new 2010 sea toilet, s/s basin, Paloma gas water heater.
Aft to stbd corner L-shaped galley with s/s sink, gas 2-burner grill and oven cooker, double doors to cock-pit. Wonderful warm atmosphere with dark varnished mahogany joinery, varnished coamings over, white deck-head and bulkheads.
Pressurised water system from 30 gall water tank under cock-pit sole.
6’ head-room all through. 2013 upholstery.
Eberspacher D1 vents warm air to the cock-pit, galley area and saloon cabin.
Inventory
Kelvin Hughes fluxgate compass
Garmin 120 GPS.
Icom VHF.
Nasa sounder.
Speed and distance log.
2 manual bilge pumps + 12v bilge pump.
Varnished boarding ladder,
Cock-pit tent with zipped entrance.
Radar reflector and shapes.
Chain windlass mounted on fore deck.
CQR anchor
Approx 100’ chain.
New 2013 cushions and covers
A very attractive vessel, good design and build. A very good sea boat and or even live aboard vessel.
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.
worked as a fishing vessel for many years until retirement. She has since undergone a partial conversion and now operates under UK flag as a charter vessel in the Mediterranean doing day trips around the island. She has a current UK Code of Practice Certificate.
Returning UK June 2015.
Built in 1946 by McDuff Shipyard, now Banff Shipyard, as a fishing vessel.
Construction:
Larch planking on sawn oak frames, 14” spacing. Iron fastened. Laid pine deck caulked and payed.
Internal iron ballast. Iron keel bolts.
Wheelhouse with deck saloon and canopy over the aft deck.
Limited accommodation with a 2 berth forecabin. 2 sea toilets, shower and washbasin, all draining to a waste tank. Pressure hot water system. 150 gallon plastic water tank.
Galley sink, drains overboard.
Inventory:
Compass.
Simrad echo sounder
Chart plotter
GPS
VHF DSC
Autopilot
6 man liferaft
8 man liferaft
14 Lifejackets
Ring and horseshoe lifebuoys.
Coastal flares new 2013
5 fire extinguishers.
30kg CQR
40 metres chain
45 metres warp.
Electric windlass.
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.
Wooden ships comments on this Scottish Trawler yacht
This unique vessel was built immediately pre-war as a yacht on the lines of a Scottish fishing boat.
The story is that her owner, a retired Naval Commander appears to have anticipated war and the need for boats. She is reputed to have carried secret agents from Scotland across to German –occupied Norway, there is a “secret” compartment where a man could have lain hidden and a fragment of a map of Norway is amongst the papers.
In 1947 the vessel was sold to the Bibby family for £3500 and remained with them usually based in Dartmouth until sold in 1963 to a Mr Buxton who berthed her in Glasson Dock, Lancashire where according to the next owner she suffered some neglect.
In 1986/7 she was sold to a Mr and Mrs Miles Irving and moved to S Wales where she was based at Rudders Boatyard, wintering at Neyland Marina and later at Rhoose Ferry, wintering in Pembroke Dock.
The Irving’s farm-house burnt down in 1994 and with it documents relating to the history of the vessel but in a letter Mrs Irving relates some of that history.
When Miles Irving fell ill she was sold in 2005 to a Cornishman. For a brief period she had live-aboard owners before coming into present ownership in 2007.
Inspected in November 2013 and found in tidy and ostensibly sea-worthy condition and very little changed from the original which is a great bonus. The lay-out with an owner’s 2-berth cabin aft, a 2-berth cabin forward for the crew and forward galley and heads and a very pleasant saloon cabin has remained unchanged with all the original joinery. One of the bunks even has the original Simpson Lawrence bunk spring frame.
Although evidently a fishing boat design from a fishing boat yard the construction indicates her yacht origins. The use of pitch-pine and noble metal fastenings and the simple but original joinery are all very special features of this vessel.
Not only is this a fascinating piece of history, she is a very usable vessel of a rare and practical size and ostensibly ready to go to sea.
Formerly Part 1 registered, now lapsed.
Built by Weatherheads of Cockenzie on the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh in 1938 to a design very typical of the fishing boats this yard was building.
The design features the usual Scottish fishing boat rather pointed canoe stern, a long straight keel and straight, raked stem. Built a yacht she might be a fraction leaner in the beam than her working boat sisters.
Planked in larch, carvel laid, caulked and payed in the traditional way.
A contemporary article notes the planking to be larch and pitch-pine and the fastenings as yellow metal and plugged which is very yachty.
Oak frames in pairs of sawn futtocks 2 x 3” moulded, 3” sided at 18” centres.
Oak back-bone.
Pair of fixed port holes each side in the saloon, port hole to galley and head and each-ride to the aft cabin.
Internal iron ballast. The ballast seen was in the form of a number of iron pigs of approx 100cwt each + a large number of smaller iron items approx cricket ball size but obviously cast for a particular use, possibly associated with a furnace. Total ballast estimated at 2 ½ tons.
This ballast was reported to have been removed, cleaned and painted by the previous owner and certainly appeared very clean.
Deck. The deck is straight laid pitch-pine (according to contemporary article), caulked and payed and fastened to oak beams with brass screws.(see contemporary article)
Side deck tie-rods maintain deck stability.
Coach-roof deck beams over the saloon cabin are varnished and show a very sweet moulding not usually found in fishing boats.
It is suspected that the deck under the deck paint is the same timber as the cabin joinery which appears to be pitch-pine or a similar yellow pine with a fine grain and colour.
A low bulwark all round the deck is carried on oak stanchion posts which appear to be one of the pairs of frame futtocks extended through the cover-boards in the Scottish manner.
Again in the Scottish manner the cover-boards are created by individual blocks of wood between the stanchion posts resting on wooden cleats spiked to the sides of the frames with the outermost deck plank set hard up against the inner face of the stanchion posts thus making stanchion post replacement in case of damage much simpler and cheaper.
Cavil bars on the bulwarks to take mooring lines.
Twin chain rollers on the stemhead.
Modern 12v windlass on the fore deck.
The wheel-house has a door on the port side set high over the coaming step. This little wheel-house, 8’ long, 6’ wide and recessed 2’below deck level sits well in the boat with 6’ head-room under the beams yet still affording excellent visibility.
An unusual and original Kelvin spoked wheel works on wire cables to a huge circular quadrant on the rudder stock in the lazarette
Helmsman’s seat.
Drop down flap seat over the aft cabin companionway.
Chart desk in after stbd corner
A forward coach-roof over the saloon cabin and an after coach-roof over the aft cabin both have pitch-pine coamings and T&G pine decking sheathed more recently in grp and painted.
Traditional varnished sky-light and two mush-room vents on the fwd coach-roof.
A traditional varnished teak entrance hatch on the fore deck gives independent access for the paid hand in the fore peak cabin.
Rig. 2 masts.
A taller after mast stepped in a galvanised tabernacle on the after coach-roof fitted with bronze sail track and carries a boom with topping lift sheeted to the after peak. A sail is carried for this mast.
Fore mast stepped in a tabernacle on the fore deck just fwd of the coach-roof.
Stowage facility for twin gas bottles against this mast.
Galvanised rigging wire to heavy external chain plates with galvanised rigging screws.
This rig bears a distinct resemblance to the rig shown in original photos published in the magazine article except that the mizzen mast was originally keel stepped and the partners are still seen in the aft coach-roof deckhead. The fwd mast appears to have been originally stepped on deck as at present and designed to be lowered aft as were the rigs of the early Scottish East Coast sailing fishing boats.
The masts are oiled, tapered at the head with the top 4’ + trucks painted white and may well be the originals.
Engines.
Dedicated engine room under the wheel-house floor. Entrance by low-level doorway stbd side in the saloon after bulkhead. 4’ head-room in the engine room. Bench seat along the stbd side with agreeable floor space.
Matching doorway on the port side gives access to the wing engine without climbing over the main engine.
The vessel was originally fitted with a Kelvin Ricardo 30hp petrol paraffin main engine and a 30hp Kelvin Ricardo wing engine. The petrol tank was placed on the wheel-house roof.
Russell Newbery DM4 4-cyl diesel engine solidly mounted on the centre-line on substantial engine beds with centre-line shaft and conventional stuffing box bearing to a 3-blade prop.
Fresh water cooled with heat exchanger. Interesting pipe-work and valves appears to permit the cooling water to be drawn from either of 2 sea-cocks or the bilge.
12v engine start.
A spare engine is included with the boat including blocks, fuel pump, crankshaft, one spare head, valves and valve seats etc
Self Changing Gears of Coventry ahead and astern gear-box with 2-lever controls at the helm.
6knts at 850rpm cruising revs. 1200rpm max.
Wing engine. Perkins 3-cyl diesel (as used in MF tractors) with Borg Warner hydraulic gear-box mounted to port with conventional shaft drive.
Fresh water cooled with heat exchanger.
The wing engine gives 4knts
A good quantity of spares for both engines are carried on board. In addition an active Russell Newbery Owners Assoc provides a selection of spares.
Tanks.
Fuel. 75 galls diesel carried in twin cylindrical tanks, one each side of the engine room.
Modern filters and water traps.
Water. Home made in previous ownership grp tanks under each of the fwd cabin berths containing estimated 15 galls each with 12v pressure pump to the galley sink and heads basin.
Electrics.
1 large 12v battery located on the ER floor by the door.
Dedicated engine start battery on the wing engine.
Original electrical meters and switch-board in the engine room.
Accommodation.
4 berths + 2 settee berths in the saloon cabin.
The vessel is divided into 5 compartments – an aft cabin, the wheel-house with engine room below, the saloon cabin, the heads and galley area and a fore cabin.
Aft cabin with generous port and stbd berths. Port hole in the hull each side above each berth.
The port berth is still fitted with the original sprung frame under the mattress.
Varnished pitch-pine joinery with drawers and lockers.
Port side steps up to the wheel-house.
Centreline steps from the wheel-house down forward to the saloon cabin. Port and stbd Chesterfield style settees, stowage under the behind.
Sideboards at the fwd ends with glass door lockers above
Mahogany drop-leaf table.
Painted sole boards. Painted T&G bulkheads. Painted coamings and deck-heads with varnished oak coach-roof beams
Centre-line fwd passageway runs up to the fore cabin.
Galley to stbd with recent smart 2-burner grill and oven gas cooker. Gas bottle on deck alongside the fore mast. Stainless steel sink and drainer. Pressurised water supply, 12v pump with switch by the sink. Sink drains overboard.
Heads compartment to port with original SL sea toilet and porcelain hand-basin.
Port holes each side to galley and heads.
V-berths in the fore cabin with the feet almost up against the stem post.
Home-made grp fresh water tanks under the berths
Fore hatch over.
Original joinery with drawers and lockers under the berths
An old 12v fridge is temporarily sited on the port berth – reported in working order.
Head-room.
Wheel-house 73” under the beams
Aft cabin 69” “ “
Saloon cabin 75” “ “
Galley and Heads 68” “ “
Fore cabin 83” under the fore hatch
Bunk Length
Aft cabin 83” x 30”
Saloon cabin 83” x 24”
Fore cabin 79” x 24”
Equipment.
Admiralty “Life-boat” design steering compass under a polished copper hood with original lamp in box on the side.
Autohelm Cetrek Pilot 730 auto-pilot
Sailor RT2048 VHF radio
Sailor RT 144B VHF Radio
Swiftech VHF radio
Recent Furuno radar
Old Kelvin Hughes Kingfisher radar with recon scanner.
Lowrance Global chart plotter
Furuno GP31 GPS Navigator
Vision GPS chart plotter
Trailing log
Clock and barometer
Original spot-light, boxed.
Legs.
Modern 12v windlass with chain and anchor
Fenders and mooring warps.
Large quantity of spares
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.
Wooden ships comments on this Twin screw motor yacht
This interesting boat was designed by Alan Pape and built under his personal supervision in his yard in Looe, Cornwall for the present owner in 1971.
In the past 42 years she has cruised regularly to the Scillies, the Channel Islands and the Brittany coasts, in the early days with wife and 4 small children, latterly just the doctor and his wife.
In 2009 he had new engines fitted but sadly deteriorating health has meant that she has not been used since and has spent the past 3 years ashore in the yard.
She is beginning to look tired and certainly will need some hard work before she is recommissioned but she is complete, fully equipped, just as she came ashore the last time but now with brand new engines.
The hull design is conventional with a long keel, a full buoyant mid-ships section and a transom stern with the rudder hung underneath. The stem is raked and the bow flared to throw the water clear of the forward wheel-house.
The relationship to the local Cornish motor fishing boats is obvious with the marked sheer and forward wheel-house set into the fore deck. The wheel-house has a compact deck saloon leaving a huge open after deck with high, safe bulwarks all round and fitted with large, flush, opening hatches over the engines below. You could fit a pot hauler on the side, ship a few pots and easily be mistaken even close up for one of the local Looe crabbers!
The hull is double planked in 2 skins of iroko, inner skin 3/8”, outer skin 7/8” laid diagonally and all through fastened with thousands of copper nails and roves. This is a method of construction perfected during the War for this yard’s Admiralty work and producing a very strong, light, flexible and water-tight hull with none of the problems often associated with a planked hull.
The hull is then framed out with 4” x 1 ½” sawn oak frames forward and massive 4” x 4” sawn frames through midships to aft adding enormous strength and allowing her to cruise safely at 9 knts.
The deck is built the same double skinned way as the hull but finished with fore and aft straight laid scrubbed iroko planking joggled in to the cover-boards forward.
The aft deck is also laid in fore and aft scrubbed iroko planks, the seams caulked and payed with butyl rubber with a 2’6” bulwark all round carried on massive oak stanchion posts with huge grown oak knees in the after corners and heavy varnished iroko capping armoured with bronze rubbing strips.
Flap scuppers allow any water to drain clear.
Gas bottle locker in the forward stbd corner contains a pair of 5kg gas bottles.
Step down over the bulwarks each side in the forward corners.
The wheel-house is framed in solid varnished iroko and stepped into the raised fore deck.
4-section windscreen forward, the outer two sections opening, the window in front of the helm fitted with a wiper.
Windows across the back and each side,
Full height glazed door aft stbd onto the after deck.
The aft deck has 2 large flush-set hatches immediately aft of the wheel-house which hinge open to reveal the engines.
Further brass-strip trimmed hatch covers down the centre-line open to access stowage below, steering mechanism etc.
The centre passageway sole boards in the wheel-house open to reveal the batteries and extensive stowage.
A varnished mast is stepped in a galvanised tabernacle against the wheel-house after face with a pair of galvanised shrouds each side and a boom which can be rigged as a derrick.
The mast carries steaming light, masthead tri-colour, radar and radar reflector and ariels.
Port and stbd nav lights in light boxes mounted on the wheel-house roof with grab rails each side and gps ariels, pair of life buoys, spot-light and vents.
Steering on low pressure hydraulics with a chrome-rimmed traditional teak spoked wheel to a galvanised steel-plate balanced rudder, the heel stepped in a massive galvanised steel shoe extension to the oak keel.
Machinery.
New engines installed in 2009 with run-in hours on the clocks only.
Main engine on centre-line Beta Marine B75 HE 69bhp @2600rpm naturally aspirated 4-cylinder in line, fresh water cooled with heat exchanger. Flexibly mounted on massive oak engine beds.
Close coupled to a ZF25A down angle hydraulic gear-box, 2:1 reduction
Wing Engine:Beta Marine B43HE 43bhp @ 2800rpm naturally aspirated 3-cylinder in line, fresh water cooled with heat exchanger. Flexibly mounted on massive oak engine beds.
Close coupled to a TM345A Down-angle hydraulic 2:1 reduction gear-box.
Both engines are fitted with the De Luxe model control panels.
Both engines fitted with the up-grade 100amp belt driven alternators.
Both engines fitted with new sea-water intakes and valves and new water-cooled exhausts exiting through the transom via new stainless steel skin fittings.
Fuel.
110 galls diesel carried in one large stainless steel tank under the aft deck.
Water.
80 galls in flexible tank under the saloon cabin sole.
Hand pump supply to the galley sink.
Rig.
Small jib
Steadying sail on the boom.
Accommodation. 6 berths
Forward cabin with 4 berths, 2 each side up and down.
The lower berths are fitted with lockers below in varnished mahogany joinery.
The upper berths have varnished mahogany bunk-boards.
Exposed, white painted ships sides.
Varnished hardwood bulkheads.
Cork lined sole boards.
Door in the forward bulkhead to the heads compartment.
Lavac sea toilet on a centre-line plinth.
Anchor chain and stowage beyond forward.
Steps from the sleeping cabin up to the deck saloon.
Helm position to stbd of the hatch with full engine instrumentation and helmsman’s seat.
Chart desk to port of the hatch
Galley down the stbd side aft of the helmsman’s seat with stainless steel sink/drainer + smart stainless steel 2-burner, grill and oven fixed gas cooker with deep fiddle rail in the aft corner by the door.
To port a dinette arrangement. The table drops to make a good-sized double berth.
6’2” head-room all through the accommodation
Equipment.
Simpson Lawrence binnacle compass
Radar
Auto-pilot
Chart plotter GPS
Sounder
4-man life raft
Life jackets
Fire extinguishers
45lb CQR
Chain
Warps
Avon 10’ inflatable dinghy
Beaching legs
Mooring Warps
Fenders
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.
The Rampart was designed as a slightly cheaper alternative to the Silvers motor yachts being built on the Clyde, more affordable yet with all the same benefits to be found in one of the Scottish boats.
Designed by John Desty of Ramparts and built by Rampart Marine, Southampton in 1966
Ramparts built a range of motor yachts from before the war and were one of the last production yards building wooden motor yachts right up to the 1980’s.
Constructed of mahogany on oak timbers all copper fastened.
Solid teak deck screw fastened, seams are caulked and payed with Sikaflex.
Varnished superstructure with an upright and purposeful wheelhouse forward leading to a low aft coachroof over the saloon. Glass windows set in rubber and aluminium frames.
Step in the deck behind the coachroof down to an aft deck. Locker lids on the aft deck into the large lazarette.
Sheathed plywood coachroof deck and wheel house roof finished in white deck paint.
Large fore deck with varnished teak toe rail and margin board all round and varnished king plank. Railings around the foredeck, galvanised stanchions capped with a varnished rail.
Small butterfly skylight on the centreline just forward of the wheelhouse.
Engines were completely rebuilt from the bottom up in 2002 by Perkins specialists.
Borg Warner Velvet drive gearboxes with stainless steel shafts to fixed 3 blade 24” bronze propellers gives 10-12 knots cruising speed.
Single lever electronic Morse controls with remote hand held control unit to use on deck when manoeuvering in harbour.
Tanks
Single 900l stainless steel diesel tank at the forward end of the engine compartment stretching the full breadth of the boat, installed new in 2003.
Fresh water from a 250 gallon galvanised steel tank in the lazarette.
Batteries
A bank of nine 12 volt batteries either side giving 24v for engine starting and domestic systems.
Mastervolt 240v charger for battery charging when connected to shore power.
Accommodation
Entrance in to the deck saloon on the port side with a sliding hatch and door.
Steps down in to the wheel house with the helm to port and a dinette table arrangement along the starboard side.
Centre line companionway into the main saloon at the aft end. Comfortable settee berths either side with L-shaped seating to starboard. Nice original mahogany panelled joinery with lockers either side at the aft end. Portholes in the low coamings and in the topsides allow plenty of light into the main saloon. Good sized dining table in the saloon.
Steps down from the wheel house going forward into the main sleeping cabin. Heads compartment at the aft end to starboard with electric sea toilet, shower to port.
Two large single berths either side in this full breadth cabin with lots of storage under. This cabin is finished in very nice panelled mahogany with a painted deck head.
Small separate cabin forward in the fore peak with a single berth and a wash basin and electric toilet.
Inventory
Chrome compass binnacle
Furuno GPS
Raytheon radar
Raytheon chart plotter
Windward Autohelm
Azimuth electronic compass
Furdell radar reflector
Eberspacher heating to all cabins
Fire extinguishers and fire blanket
2 auto electric bilge pumps
Beaufort liferaft
Flares
Loud hailer system
Search light
Danforth anchor and 100m of chain
24v Francis electric winch
Mooring lines
Fenders
Small mast and derrick, currently unstopped.
New inflatable dinghy with 2.2hp outboard
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.
After posting some teaser photos of Nell a little while ago, we have now formally put this fine yacht on the market. Nell is a G.L. Watson gaff cutter built on the Clyde in 1887 and completely rebuilt in Normandy, France between 2009 and 2017. This yacht is a totally unique piece of maritime history and is presented in superb condition. Her interior is her most remarkable feature and was designed by her first owner Robert Cowan Robertson. He was an artist based in Glasgow and his interior design was influenced by the fashions of the time with raised and fielded oak panelling, ionic pillasters and most notably stained glass sliding windows covering the portholes. The interior has been restored sympathetically and is largely original apart from some very small areas where damaged joinery needed replacing. The result is magnificent and sets this yacht apart as a unique piece of history. Full details and many photos available on our web site with the following link:woodenships.co.uk/sailing-yacht/g-l-watson-gaff-cutter/#classicboat #classicboatforsale #yachtforsale ... See MoreSee Less
