Built by Humphrey and Smith of Grimsby in 1944 to the lines of the traditional Scottish fishing vessels that had become so popular as work horses in the British seas. She was built for the admiralty and was destined to head to the East Indies where many similar boats were already operating, however because the war had come to an end she was instead placed with Nore Command in Dover.
After being decommissioned from the navy in 1948, she was converted into a fishing vessel as many other admiralty boats were, and fished mainly for Herring. She at one stage caught a record 196 cran, approximately 196,000 herring, in one trip. After being retired from fishing she went on to work as a survey and dive vessel in the North Sea which was when the extra superstructure was added.
She has been in the present ownership for over 20 years in which time she has served as a private yacht, attending many heritage events around the coasts of Britain and France. However the inevitable maintenance work is slowly becoming too much of a burden and the decision has been made to move her on to a new owners who will be able to carry on the ongoing maintenance.
Length Overall 75′
Beam 19’6″
Draft 9’6″
Construction
Hull
Planked in oak all fastened with galvanised dumps to sawn oak frames in futtocks.
Decks and cockpit
Straight laid pine deck fastened to the deck beams with galvanised dumps. Caulked and payed in the traditional way. Many deck planks have been renewed however the fore deck is in need of replacing. The bulwarks are on large oak stanchions mounted through the cover boards. Some of the capping rail has been replaced in recent years.
Superstructure
The original wheelhouse is in place with a deck house aft of this, all made of riveted iron plates. The deck house contains the galley as it traditionally would have done. There is a step up into the high wheelhouse which gives excellent visibility.
The newer deckhouse forward of the wheelhouse is made of aluminium and was added as a survey office during a former life. There is seating around a large table with a companion at the forward end going below decks.
Machinery
Engine
Gardner 8L3B 230hp marine diesel. Gearbox with manual controls to a large fixed 3 blade propellor.
Tanks
2 painted steel fuel tanks, one each side in the engine room.
Batteries
Accommodation
Berths
6 single berths in the aft cabin as she had when fishing, this was the crew accommodation with an access ladder into the deck house. Large table in the centre of the aft cabin so the area served as the sleeping quarters and the mess.
Galley
Located in the deck saloon, there is a large gas cooker with work surfaces and a fridge. In the corner is the gas fired water heater system.
Heads
There is a heads compartment below decks forward of the engine room with a sea toilet, sink and shower.
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.
Finesse motor yacht built in 1969 by Finnesse Yachts based in Southend-on-Sea. The yard was run by Alan Platt for nearly 40 years and he built a number of small sailing yachts which have become very well known for their space and comfort. His range of motor yachts were designed for Thames and coastal cruising and made superb small family boats.
This boat has spent much of its recent life on the River Tamar and in Plymouth Sound exploring the creeks and coves and has proved excellent for that purpose. She has small bilge keels so can easily take the ground making her ideal for a beach or mud berth. She had a thorough cosmetic refit in 2013 when she was entirely stripped back to bare wood and re-painted.
She is a well equipped boat with everything required for family cruising with a good modern engine, electric windlass, heads and galley. The large aft cockpit has plenty of space for all the family and has an all over cover for the wet days. An ideal family boat for the UK summers.
Length on deck 23’3″
Length water line 22’6″
Beam 8’6″
Draft 2’4″
Construction
Hull
Clinker planked in mahogany all copper rivet fastened to steamed Canadian Rock Elm timbers at 6″ centres.
Painted topsides with varnished raised topsides forward. The varnished sheer strake has 3 portholes a side giving light and ventilation in the cabin.
No external ballast keel, instead she has internal iron pigs in the bilge.
Grown wooden floors across the centreline.
Decks and cockpit
Marine plywood decks sheathed in epoxy glass cloth and finished with deck paint. Varnished mahogany toe rail and rubbing strake with stainless steel guard wires and stanchions on the fore deck.
Lewmar hatch in the foredeck.
Cockpit is deep and safe with seating both sides and around the stern. Thwarts lift for access to lockers below. the overhanging wheelhouse roof gives good shelter however the canvas canopy can be put up which totally encloses the cockpit giving a lot of covered and sheltered space. The canvas has windows stitched into it. This cover makes the boat very versatile in our unpredictable climate giving plenty of outside space for the sunny days and more than enough shelter on the bad days.
Superstructure
Varnished mahogany wheelhouse with glass windows and a sheathed plywood roof. Handrails and light mast fitted to the roof.
Wheel steering on cables mounted on the port side. with the engine box on the centre line.
Machinery
Engine
Yanmar 30hp 3GM30 marine diesel installed on the centreline with a fixed 3 blade bronze propellor.
Serviced professionally every year, new starter motor in 2014.
Tank
56l stainless steel fuel tank.
47l plastic water tank
Batteries
2 x 12 volt batteries charged by the engine alternator
Accommodation
The accommodation comprises a cabin forward under the raised foredeck with 5’6″ headroom. two decent sized berths and a heads and galley make this a useable space for weekend living.
Berths
2 berths in the forward cabin.
Galley
Galley located to starboard at the aft end of the cabin. Flavel 2 burner gas stove with oven and grill. Single stainless sink gravity drains overboard.
Heads
Simpson Lawrence sea toilet in a heads compartment on port side at the aft end of the cabin.
Equipment
Steering compass
Depth sounder
VHF radio
2 fire extinguishers
25lb CQR anchor
30m of chain
Electric anchor windlass
Fenders
Warps
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 is one of only 2 Fleur de Lys motor cruisers built to this spec and she has all her original fixtures and fittings, including the original tender/speedboat. Only 2 owners since built, her original build photos and paperwork are available.
Construction
Hull
Carvel iroko planking on oak frames, copper fastened. Long timber keel and bilge keels. Iron internal ballast. Hull antifouled and painted 2013 and some soft wood replaced with new iroko planking.
Decks
Laid iroko deck, coelan coated. Mahogany bulwarks. Wheel steering in wheelhouse.
6 batteries in the engine room. 24v electrics. Shore power. Stuart Turner petrol generator in the workshop. Engines serviced 2014, total hours 2300.
Tanks
Fuel: 2 x 230 gals, galvanised steel, located in engine room.
Water: 430 gals in galvanised steel tank in engine room.
Accommodation
All original fitted furniture throughout. Ample headroom.
Teak interior.
Berths 6
From forward: Cabin with twin V berths.
Galley with Neff 4 ring gas hob. Panasonic MicroCombi. Stainless steel sink, drains overboard. Fridge.
Dining Saloon with u-shaped seating and table to port. Settee stbd.
Steps up to Saloon
U-shaped seating and table to port. Settee stbd.
Steps up to wheelhouse and down to aft accommodation
Cabin with bunk berths to port.
Stbd are a shower room and a separate heads compartment with a Techma electric sea toilet. Bathroom refurbished 2008 in tiles and American Oak.
Hot water is provided by a gas heater and electric pressure pump.
Aft cabin with a double berth to port and seating stbd.
Heating is provided by electric oil heaters.
Equipment
Navigation
All nav equipment needs recommisioning.
Sestrel compass.
Seafarer 501 sounder
VHF Sailor RT142SP
Furuno 1700 Radar
Sharp auto pilot
Ground tackle
Manual windlass
Extra gear
Original tender/speedboat, 11.8’. 1961
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 Storebro Royal 34 TSMY
This series of Storebro 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 has been very well cared for in present ownership and any work that has been required has been done by professional shipwrights. She has mainly been used on the Thames as a pleasure yacht and has a full up to date Thames River Licence.
Construction
Hull
Carvel planked mahogany on steam bent oak timbers. Long keel, chine hull.
Decks
GRP laid deck over marine ply sub deck. Coated with non-slip paint.
Superstructure
Wheelhouse with front and side windows, open backed and enclosed with a canvas cover with side and back windows.
Coachroof forward over the saloon.
Machinery
Engines
Twin Perkins 6354 in excellent condition. Regularly serviced. Max speed 15kts.
Engines and gearboxes serviced June ’15 with oil and filter changes.
Tanks
Fuel: 600 litres
Batteries
New charger batteries June ‘15
Accommodation
Headroom 6’+ throughout
Mostly original varnished mahogany joinery
New flooring throughout
Berths 4/6
Forecabin
Chain locker in forepeak
Twin V berths. Hanging lockers at the aft end of each berth. Forehatch over.
Saloon
Double doorway from forecabin.
U – shaped settee to port, converts to a double berth.
Upholstered in pink dralon.
Table
Galley
On starboard side. SS sink with pressure hot and cold water.
Stowage. Cold box.
No gas, although new fittings are in place.
Heads
Aft Stbd corner. Basin with hot and cold water. Shower.
Compost toilet (emptied approx every 6 months, depending on usage.)
Door offset stbd, 3 steps to:
Wheelhouse
Port side is a traditional teak wheel. Display console.
2 morse levers. Compass.
Seating re-upholstered in the last month in cream leather.
Centreline steps down to:
Aft Cabin
Port and stbd berths, new mattresses.
Hand basin. Full length wardrobe.
Hot water from heat exchanger on the engines or 240v immersion from shore power.
Equipment
Anchor and chain
Warps and fenders
3 automatic bilge pumps
Battery charger
Avon inflatable with electric outboard
4 year boat safety certificate from June 2015.
Licenced on the River Thames until December 2015.
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.
James Silver’s was one of the great Clyde boatyards and have become best known for their classic motor yachts.
John Bain was the resident marine architect and subsequently took over the yard as MD until its demise in the early 1970’s.
The Silver Leaf design was one of the yard’s popular motor yachts showing all the classic John Bain features. The secret of buying a Silver John Bain motor yacht is to find one which has not been altered too much over the years and that still has all the original fittings – and this is just such an example.
She was launched as Hopalong. Sold by Wooden Ships out of London in December 1993 and we lost track of her thereafter until she reappeared on the Clyde and was subsequently sold to the East coast.
The general shape is a long keeled twin engine motor yacht with raised deck, a wheel-house just aft of midships with an entrance each side stepping down into the wheel-house, a drop down in the deck right aft to a small aft cock-pit and aft cabin entrance.
A very slight clipper bow gives her a charming slightly racey look, radiused transom stern with single timber rudder below.
The topsides from midships to aft are in varnished teak with bronze port holes.
The long clear foredeck has 2 low-level entrance hatches and a traditional sky-light over the midships saloon. She carries 2 small masts capable of setting some steadying canvas.
Recent major refit in present ownership is now nearing completion. As well as carrying out some structural repair work, she has had a complete cosmetic refit inside and out, the hull was stripped to bare wood and repainted, all varnish has been stripped back and renewed as well as the interior cosmetics. The engines and electrical systems have all been attended to and repaired or replaced as necessary
Construction
Pitch-pine planking, carvel laid, caulked and payed and fastened with bronze screws to substantial 3 ½” x 2” sawn oak frames at approx 3’c with two steamed oak timbers between fastened with copper nails and roves.
Oak centre-line with grown oak floors.
Long external cast iron keel.
Shallow timber anti-roll bilge keels each side also spread the loads if she is dried out on a beach.
The underwater parts of the hull have had a major refit including complete re-caulking, all new keel bolts and centreline botls, new stem band and a new section of wooden keel forward of the ballast keel replaced with oak.
Deck
The deck is laid in very traditional fashion of T&G pine boards sheathed with epoxy cloth and painted to give a totally water-tight surface.
The cover-boards round the edge of the deck are laid separately and finished varnished to give a very pleasing result.
The join between canvas and coverboard is sealed with a small toe rail to stop tools rolling over the side.
The coverboard on the starboard side was totally removed to gain access to the beamshelf which required some attention along with a few beam ends which were suffering from some soft. The coverboard was replaced in Iroko.
Galvanised steel stanchion posts bolted through the coverboards carry guard wires.
The wheel-house, sky-lights, hatches and aft cock-pit are all built in varnished teak.
Teak chocks on the aft deck to carry a clinker tender with davits on the port side for launch and retrieval.
Machinery
Twin Seamaster 4-cyl 40hp naturally aspirated, fresh water cooled diesels installed new in 1957. These engines were originally fitted to the Ferguson T20 tractor and were marinised by Seamaster. Parts are readily available at sensible prices. Both engines have been thoroughly serviced with a new timing chainon the stbd engine and new alternator on the port.
Hyland hydraulic gear boxes with twin lever controls.
Conventional shaft drive on A- brackets to 3 blade bronze props. Props, shafts, stern glands and cutlass bearings have been checked.
She will easily achieve 8 knots cruising at very low fuel consumption on these wonderful engines.
Fuel
150 litres of diesel in 2 engine room copper tanks.
Electrics
4 x 12v heavy duty batteries on 12v circuyits. Dedicated engine start batteries and domestics.
Charging from engine alternators or 240v charger when connected to shore power.
240v 13 amp socket ring throughout the boat.
Accommodation
The interior has been reconfigured slightly to suit the present owners requirements. The main saloon is still complete with her original joinery in panelled oak, the aft stateroom cabin is largely original as well in the same panelling, as is the wheelhouse.
Access to the wheelhouse is through sliding doors port and starboard. There are seats either side with full standing headroom and plenty of storage lockers.
Wheel steering with all controls and navigation gear to port.
Steps down to the saloon on the starboard side. Centreline dropleaf oak table with Pullman settee berths either side giving 4 sleeping berths if necessary. Polished bronze portholes set in nicely detailed panelling. Solid fuel heating stove against the aft bulkhead.
Centreline door through to the galley which has been newly constructed using solid oak. Port side is a fixed twin gas oven with 4 burner hob and a separate grill, and a large work top. Starboard side is a double stainless steel sink with pressurised hot and cold running water. Large amounts of locker and storage space either side in the galley with large work tops, perfect for the keen chefs. New 12v/240v fridge with freezer compartment.
Forward of the galley is a door to the fwd heads with chain locker and ladder to exit through the forehatch. Blakes Lavac sea toilet pumps directly overboard.
Going aft from the wheelhouse there is a large aft stateroom cabin spanning the entire breadth of the boat. Large double berth on the port side requires new mattress and upholstery. There are drawers/dressing table on the starboard side with wardrobes either side of it. This cabin has been finished with the same simple yet effective panelling as the rest of the boat, with the same detailing around the bronze portholes which gives her a very original yet cosy feel. Port side in the aft cabin are large storage lockers.
Going aft from here is the main heads compartment which is yet to be finished. The hull has been stripped and repainted and is ready for the new heads joinery to be fitted as desired by the new owner. There is an aft companion hatch going out of the heads onto the aft deck.
Aft of the heads is a large lazarette locker with the steering gear, hot water calorifier tank and vast amounts of storage space for fenders and warps.
Inventory to be confirmed.
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.
Built as hire boat for the Thames by Andrews yard in the 1930’s. Found by the present owner partially sunk in a canal and taken by him to Peter Freebody for a thorough refit in 1974/75. Freebody’s rebuilt the boat including the stern and deckhouse to recreate a typical Thames gentlemans motor launch.
She has been in present ownership for nearly 40 years and has spent much of that time being used in Poole harbour showing she has the ability to take on more than just the gentle Thames waters.
A new engine was fitted a few years ago which has given her more speed and superb reliability.
An unusual boat with an interesting history, recently painted and ready for the summer.
Construction
Hull
Planked in larch and mahogany fastened to a simple framework. Stern built of moulded mahogany to create the well known stern of a Thames Launch.
Superstructure
Varnished mahogany top to give shelter from the elements. Glaxed either side with doors fore and aft. At the aft end is a sheltered cockpit.
The whole mid section of the boat is open up to the helm position forward. The present owner had a varnished mahogany windscreen constructed to give shelter to the helm position. This can be removed in a few minutes if desired for a sunny day.
Machinery
Engine
Centrally mounted with a long shaft to the prop. Ford 1.8 petrol engine marinised by Lancing Marine. Fresh water cooled with a heat exchanger. Gives the boat a top speed of near 20 knots in flat water. The engine is so quiet it can hardly be heard running from the helm position.
Mechanical gearbox to stainless steel shaft and a 3 blade bronze propeller.
Batteries
2 x 12volt batteries for engine starting, bilge pump and lights.
Tanks
25l plastic fuel tank mounted under the foredeck with a filler on deck.
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 Slipper Launch new build hull
Neil Garside started work with Andrews Boathouses Ltd in 1958 and completed a full 5 year apprenticeship with them building slipper stern launches, together with a variety of other craft. Over the past 50+ years Neil has worked for various Thames and South Coast boatyards, including Freebody & Co of Hurley, where he was their senior boat builder for 8 yrs and played a major role in the restoration of the steam launch ‘Alaska’ before setting up his own boatbuilding business in 1988 specialising in traditional craft.
This is a unique opportunity to purchase a new slipper launch hull and have it fitted out to your own specification.
Construction
Hull Hard chine. Carvel planked in Burma teak to above the waterline, topsides in mahogany and iroko. Iroko frames and hog with English oak timbers and chines.
Iroko keel, oak stem, forefoot and stern block. Silicon bronze and copper fastenings throughout.
Machinery
Engine BMC Vedette petrol inboard, 950cc. Manufactured early 1960’s. BMC gearbox.
Equipment
Set of deck fittings
Navigation lights
Steering column support
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 Day Cruiser motor launch
Length 26’
Beam 8’
Draft 3’
Designed by Fred Shepherd.
Built by Lukes on the Hamble in 1939.
A fascinating and most unusual boat built to a very high standard, all varnished teak with a cabin, a separate heads compartment, a galley and a large cock-pit aft.
The general configuration is of a long keeled boat, slightly raked stem, beautifully flared bow sections, transom stern, single engine with a centre-line prop. Originally fitted with an auxiliary wing engine as well, now removed.
Helm position well forward with a 3-pane windscreen, the small middle section opens with chromed stays.
The midships cabin area is covered with a fixed roof with nicely radiused corners.
A unique sliding roof section covers the forward area over the helm, closing up to the windscreen forward and sliding aft on bronze runners outside the fixed section.
Cabin top sheathed and painted, varnished teak cabin sides fitted with attractive oval windows. Varnished steam bent deck beams in the sliding section, heavier varnished beams in the fixed section.
The fore deck is laid in teak.
The side decks are formed by wide varnished teak cover-boards to create a substantial gunnel.
Large cock-pit aft. The fixed cabin top coamings sweep exquisitely down aft to form the cock-pit comaings, edged in bronze D-section. Varnished teak aft deck.
Seat boxes either side with a loose thwart across the stern and access to a stern locker. Small box lockers in each forward corner.
Varnished T&G boards form the bulkhead to the cabin with the fixed roof overhanging the cock-pit to give some shelter. Full height double doors to the cabin.
The engine is sensibly placed aft under a varnished box in the middle of the cock-pit thus reducing engine noise etc in the cabin and affording total all round access.
The boat had a major refit in 2008 after sale to the present owner by Wooden Ships.
Construction
Carvel planked in ¾” teak all copper fastened to steam bent Canadian rock elm timbers on an oak back-bone.
The planking is tight-seamed with no caulking, a construction method requiring the highest skills.
Examination on purchased revealed that water penetration under the canvas sheathing had rotted part of the yellow pine roof structure, the cock-pit sole bearers were soft and there was some deterioration of some of the rock elm steam bent timbers wqhere the sole boards were in contact.
2008 refit; 12 steam bent oak timbers replaced
New cock-pit sole bearers
New galvanised keel band.
Aft deck lifted, one deck beam replaced and the deck relaid.
Bilges scraped and repainted.
Complete rewire, new batteries and switchgear
Cabin tops rebuilt in T&G southern yellow pine, epoxy glass sheathed externally to replace the original canvas, painted inside.
New laminated glass in the windows.
New polished stainless steel window frames
All seacocks replaced with new skin fittings and Hattersley bronze valves.
The hull is finished varnished inside and out.
Substantial bronze rudder hangings on the transom, the rudder heel sitting in a bronze skeg fitting.
Short bronze tiller with cables to a traditional spoked teak wheel.
Double chain roller bronze stemhead fitting.
Bronze cleats and fairleads
Hatch on the fore deck with heavy bronze hinges and bronze-framed light.
The centre part of the triple windscreen opens.
Teak grab rails on the cabin top.
Large 10’ long aft cock-pit with seat lockers each side, deep coamings above, scrubbed teak gratings.
Bronze deck fittings.
Machinery.
Volvo 3000 MD11D 25hp 2-cylinder raw water cooled diesel with less than 50 hours running from new. Installed in the 2008 refit on rubber mounts on substantial oak engine beds.
Ideal for a launch like this, this slow revving engine has decompressors and a hand start facility in case of electrical failure. Originally bought 20 years ago for another boat and never used this engine is as new.
Machinery refit in 2008 refit.
All new fuel lines and filters
New fuel tank
New prop shaft
New engine controls
Totally rewired with new batteries and switchgear
Approx 30gall cylinder fuel tank under the after deck.
12v engine start battery, new 2007
12v domestic services battery new 2011
Belt driven alternator above the flywheel
Accommodation
Fore peak stowage, steps inside to deck hatch over.
Forward bulkhead below the windscreen formed by vertical T&G varnished teak boards with twin central doors
Helm position with traditional teak spoked wheel to port, cables to the tiller arm on the rudder head over the aft deck.
Athwartship bench seat with removeable middle section to allow through passage. Raised, flat foot rest surface each side.
The roof above is a sliding section which can be easily opened in fine weather.
Seating down the port side with a double drop-lead table.
New upholstery by Jeckells in 2008
Galley down the stbd side with rectangular stainless steel sink, bronze Patay hand pump for fresh water supply, sink drains overboard.
Plastimo 2-burner gas cooker, new 2007.
New work-surface 2007
Heads compartment in the after stbd corner with full height panelled door.
Blake Victory sea toilet, chromed and looks like new!
Double doors in the bulkhead to the aft cock-pit.
6’ head-room in the cabin.
Scrubbed teak sole boards
Inventory
Navigation Steering compass
Garmin GPS
Silva sounder, new 2006
Nav lights. New bronze bi-colour over the windscreen. All round white on a 2’ mast on the cabin top.
Ground tackle. SL Delta anchor and warp, new 2007
Safety gear
2 x fire extinguishers
Fire blanket
Henderson Mk6 manual bilge pump – new 2007
Whale 2v bilge pump on float switch – new 2011
Life buoy
Deck gear
Warps and fenders.
Stainless steel stern boarding ladder
History.
Hurricane Wake first appears in the April 1939 edition of Yachting Monthly where it is noted “Lukes of Hamble are building to a Fred Shepherd design a 26’ day cruiser, now partly planked”.
Shepherd was one of the best known and respected marine architects in his day with many notable sailing and motor yachts from his board. He had a long career working in his London Piccadilly offices from the early 1900’s to his retirement in 1939 and living to the grand old age of 104. Hurricane Wake was one of his last designs and he seems to have had fun with this one.
Lloyds Register notes her in 1939 as Hurricane.
She appears on the British Shipping Register July 1946 renamed Hurricane Wake. There is no evidence of war service.
Her Certificate of Registry shows various owners on the South coast over the next 30 years.
Her original Gray petrol engines, 40hp main engine and 16hp wing engine, were replaced with a diesel engine in 1965.
A change of ownership in 1974 brought her to Porthleven in Cornwall where she was berthed in the drying harbour for many years.
Apart from the change in engine, Hurricane Wake remained virtually original but by 2007 when she was bought by the present owner she was in need of a face lift.
The present owner carried out significant work as detailed above and she is once again and exceptionally attractive, unusual and very interesting boat. Surveyed prior to relaunch in June 2008, copy available.
The surveyor comments:
“Well built to a very high standard originally and she has had a considerable amount of time and money spent on her since to bring her up to as new condition.
Thanks to the considerable amount of work done there are virtually no defects.”
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.
Built in 1997 by well known boat builder P. Martin on the Isles of Scilly. Used as a passenger vessel all year round for the first 7 years, since then she has operated in the summer season only. Passenger certificate for 93 plus 2 crew (50 + 2 on Class VI(A) licence. Could be increased back up to 100 passengers with a satisfactory lightship check .
She has operated as a ferry on the inter island service and also as a sight seeing excursion vessel, being a very safe and stable platform in all weather conditions with extremely reliable Gardner power units.
For more information please get in touch.
Construction
Hull
Planked in larch fastened with copper rivets to closely spaced steam bent oak timbers. Occasional heavy weight sawn oak frames in futtocks making a very strong and robust hull. Galvanised steel hanging knees reinforcing the hull to deck join.
Decks and cockpit
Straight laid solid Iroko decks screw fastened to the deck beams.
High bulwarks all round with intermittent metal stanchions for added strength.
Superstructure
Aluminium superstructure giving sheltered seating for passengers with the wheelhouse mounted above. This layout gives excellent visibility for the helmsman and also makes the most of the available deck space.
Machinery
Engines
Twin Gardner 6LXB 175hp diesels installed new at the time of build. Excellent slow revving and economical engines, superb reliability and are also quiet when running which is important for a passenger boat.
Twin disc 5061A down angle gearboxes to stainless steel shafts with 26” 4 blade bronze propellers.
Each engine has a 1.5” Jabsco bilge/fire/deckwash pump with electro magnetic pump.
Currently 15000 hours on the engines. Complete maintenance records available.
Equipment
Furuno radar with 4’ open scanner
Raymarine C120 chart plotter
2 x Icom VHF
Raymarine PA system
Garmin GPS
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 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.
A video showing the 8 year rebuild of Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter Letty. She is very sadly now going up for sale due to unexpected medical circumstances and will be offered at the bargain price of £100,000. The owner wishes to sell her quickly and see the boat back sailing this summer rather than laid up. This is a very rare opportunity to purchase a rebuilt original pilot cutter at far below market value. Anyone with serious interest should contact us directly, more photos and full specifications to follow on the web site. ... See MoreSee Less
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