Wooden ships Comments on this Yachting World Seahorse
Yachting World Seahorse, designed by E.G Van De Stadt in 1959 as part of a design competition sponsored by Yacht World Magazine for a ‘build it yourself’ boat.
Van de Stadt was an accomplished yacht designer when he designed the Seahorse, she was design number 67 of his large portfolio totalling 150.
Rocinante was built by her first owner Tony Storer in 1974 to a very high standard for both racing and cruising. Fitted out with bunks to sleep 5, with a small heads and galley she is the perfect pocket cruiser/racer.
Much upgrading and refit work carried out in last 2 experienced ownerships including fitting her with both Bermudan and gaff rigs. Changing to gaff is very simple using the same mast in the same position, changing backstays and fitting the gaff yard. With her gaff rig she has become somewhat of a bandit racer on the circuit.
Lots of equipment and 4 wheel road trailer included.
Wooden Ships Comments on this 12 Ton Hillyard Cutter
12 ton Hillyard, designed and built by Hillyards of Littlehampton in 1961.
One size up from their most popular 9 tonner, this design has the same standard layout with centre cockpit, aft cabin, saloon and forecabin, but with a little more space and comfort in all directions.
David Hillyards design were very well received by the UK market, leading to them becoming one of the most prolific boat building yards the UK has ever seen. Their boats were not flashy or fast, but offered excellent value for money cruising yachts with a huge amount of space and volume for the length. The layout enabled a family to cruise in comfort with the parents cabin aft, youngsters up forward and a communal saloon that did not have to be turned into sleeping berths at night unless guests were aboard. The design has not aged and still serves very well today as a comfortable, safe and capable cruising yacht.
The design is easy to handle under sail, particularly this yacht as she has been converted to a cutter rig with the addition of a bowsprit giving more flexibility in the sail plan. Self tailing winches and furling headsails add to the ease of sailing her.
This particular example has had time and money lavished on her in recent years both in the previous ownership and in a major refit between 2018 and 2021 with the current owner. Notable works include a Nanni Diesel 50 hp engine, recent rigging and sails, all new systems, significant hull repairs and a complete re-paint inside and out. She is all in all and excellent yacht and incredible value for money when compared to other similar volume vessels of this standard. Possibly the best 12 ton Hillyard available given her level of finish and equipment list.
Whether it is local cruising or a long distance voyage, sailing as a couple or with a whole family, this is a boat that will do it all at a fraction of the price of many other similarly capable yachts.
Full survey carried out in 2018 prior to the refit, plus a second 2021 report after the work was completed.
Length on Deck 36’
Length Overall
Length Waterline 31’
Beam 10’
Draft 4’6”
Thames Tonnage 12TM
2018 – 2021 Refit Work List
Stripped all paint from hull and topsides
Raked out all seams on topsides (not necessary on hull except garboard seam)
All primed and re-paid seams with cotton caulking and white lead putty on topsides, red lead putty in garboard seam
Removed bulwark kicking board and re-fashioned ends to suit fairleads
Removed chainplates as identified in survey and let in new timber and refastened
Cut out all soft wood as identified in survey and let in graving pieces
Hull and topsides faired off and repainted
Cockpit sole re-designed in accordance with survey recommendation
Decks and cabin tops re-painted
Cabin sides and cockpit coaming stripped and re-varnished
New cabin windows with polished stainless steel frames installed
Cabins interior repainted and revarnished
New interior lockers designed and fitted
News sea toilet and plumbing installed
Simpson Lawrence porthole rims removed and chromed
Engine removed from boat and extensively renovated
New engine panel and wiring loom fitted
All ships electrics ( DC and AC) re-organised and updated
New s/s wire steering cables fitted with tensioning adaption
Simpson Lawrence windlass removed and overhauled
Forestay fitting adapted to take new roller reef staysail
Mast, boom, bowsprit stripped and re-varnished
Mast fittings adapted to take new standing rigging
Boom fittings adapted to facilitate slab reefing system
New mast and cockpit winches fitted
Install new standing rigging with new rigging screws and end fittings
New stackpack and lazyjacks fitted
New cockpit tent
All defects identified in 2018 survey report rectified
Wooden Ships Comments on this McGruer Bermudan Ketch
Designed by Ewing McGruer and built by McGruers of Clynder on the Clyde, Scotland in 1929.
This yacht was built for a Dr Carslaw, a founding member of the Clyde Cruising Club and launched as Rowan 11 in 1929. Dr Carslaw had 2 boats built by McGruers and wrote about his sailing exploits around the West Coast of Scotland with his 4 yachts in a lovely little book – Leaves from Rowan’s Log.
Rowan IV, Carslaws last boat, shares a recognisable feature with Rowan II, the dog-house, which is not typical of McGruer’s work and must have been a special request from Dr Carslaw on both yachts. One can understand that the dog-house on both boats must have been a great advantage sailing in the Scottish climate.
Sold by Wooden Ships to the last 3 owners, we have seen her undergo various refits and repairs which have all helped bring her up to the standard she is today.
A detailed survey was carried out in 2019 and substantial structural repairs done by an experienced yard following this survey. Work included new keel bolts, lots of re-fastening and a replacement engine.
The current owner continued this work with a virtually new interior, new rigging
At 11 TM (Thames Tonnes) this is a spacious and very sweet yacht with a fine bow and an elegant elliptical counter stern. The work done recently has been a huge benefit to her longevity and she is now in fine order and ready for her next custodian.
Wooden Ships Comments on this Plymouth Hooker Gaff Cutter
Built in Looe by Tom Pearce in 1896 as a Plymouth Hooker, she was a long line fishing boat with the number PH339. She was originally a half deck boat and would have fished the coastal waters around Plymouth. These boats gained their names as they frequently worked several thousand individual hooks on the long lines.
After an extensive rebuild in the 1980’s she was bought by John Raymond-Barker of RB Boatbuilding in Bristol. He changed much of the planking and then sailed her across the Atlantic and back.
Bought by the previous owner in 2005, she was in a bad state and soon after the purchase the boat was given to Ashley Butler of Butler & Co. for a comprehensive refit which was undertaken in 2006. A new lead keel was fitted with new floors, keel bolts and a greenheart keelson. A number of frames were replaced as well as a complete new deck structure and new rig. The interior was fitted in 2007 after the bulk of the main refit had been completed. The work included a new coachroof, full width to create a raised deck in the middle of the yacht. This increases the interior volume enormously without detracting from the outward appearance of the yacht.
Bought by the present owner in 2021, she was surveyed by Will Stirling and a list of jobs highlighted that have been attended to in recent years. This mainly involved maintenance of the deck to eliminate leaks and upgrading of the rig.
A lovely looking working boat in good sound condition with a well documented refit history.
2021 survey available. Also an option to take over the current marina berth in Plymouth subject to negotiation.
Wooden Ships Comments on this Buchanan Saxon Class Sloop
The Saxon Class was designed by Alan Buchanan as a development of his very successful Vashti as a smaller more manageable yacht but with many of the same attributes.
This boat was built by RJ Priors and Son of Burnham in 1962 to Lloyds 100A1 and was kept in class until quite recently.
The dimensions and volume of the Saxon make her an ideal size for many owners, easily single handed, but with 5 berths and space for a good size crew when racing, she is large enough to take some nasty weather if required without being unmanageable. The current owner has carried out some significant repairs including rebuilding the aft deck and transom. She is now looking smart and ready to be commissioned by a new owner in the spring.
She comes with a very smart fitted all over cover, keeping the winter weather away from the bright work and allowing the hull to breathe.
A very attractive boat with lovely sailing qualities, nicely presented and ready for the coming season.
Wooden Ships Comments on this Swedish Pilot Cutter.
Designed by Albert Andersson (1853-1926) who was a professional colleague of Colin Archer and clearly took much inspiration from his colleagues designs.
Built at Lundbergs & Karlssons shipyard, Gothenburg and launch in 1893. She was one of 5 pilot cutters built for working in the Gothenburg Archipelago. It is also thought she participated in the Dunkirk evacuations but no clear proof has been found.
Major rebuild in 1989-1990 where the hull was completely re-planked in oak, with all new galvanised bolt fastenings. The deck layout and rig was put back as close to the original as possible by using original plans.
In current ownership since 2018, she was used as a liveaboard cruising boat in the Baltic before heading to her current berth in Gothenburg. Not sailed much in the last few years and currently in need of some time ashore to tidy her up.
Last professional survey carried out in 2020.
A fine looking original Swedish pilot vessel with all the features and hallmarks one would expect of a vessel of her type.
Wooden Ships Comments on this Kidby Oyster Smack CK348
Kidby Oyster Smack built in Brightlingsea on 1907. One of only 2 remaining Kidby & Sons boats still sailing.
Fishing number CK348, which denotes her registration in Colchester Creek.
Complete professional rebuild in Maldon completed in 2003 with all new planking, frames and deck.
In current ownership since 2010, she has been thoroughly upgraded with new spars, sails and rigging, engine installation and a new interior. In the present ownership My Alice has been raced regularly and successfully with the east coast Smack fleet, known to be a fast boat and one to beat.
The engine installation comprises a main engine with hydraulic drives to a separate leg and propeller each side. This set up has minimal impact on her sailing performance but allows for excellent close quarter handling with 2 widely spaced propellers.
A very impressive smack in fine fettle, only offered for sale due the owners health.
2024 survey report available.
Registered with National Historic Ships.
Length on Deck 46’
Length Overall 68’
Beam 11’7”
Draft 6’
History
My Alice was built by Kidby & Sons in Brightlingsea to the order of Captain Fred Stokes of Tollesbury. Stokes was a local fisherman and one of the many sailors from this area of the country who were employed during the summer season to race the big J-class yachts on the south coast of England and beyond.
Stokes became a successful racing skipper in the big class yachts, earning himself a good deal of prize money on top of his wages. Between 1905 and 1908, he earnt as much as £100 per season in prize money, plus wages of £3/week. This was the equivalent to the price of a good house which gave him enough money to commission his own smack to his own specification.
Stokes knew what he wanted, a racing smack that would be able to fish but could be pushed hard with excellent performance. Her lines are exquisite with a very elegant counter that is slightly narrower than many of her contemporaries. Her underwater sections have a smooth run aft, good hull form midships and fine fore sections with good bite for windward work.
My Alice was his pride and joy and as known from the beginning as a fast boat, but she was also a very successful fishing vessel, In 1930 she broke the record with 130 barrels of sprats caught in one tide with a single net. It is thought she still holds this record.
Between 1993 – 2001, My Alice was completely rebuilt by a yard in Maldon with 3 highly respected shipwrights, led by Brian Kennell, working on her. All the frames, planking and deck was renewed with little of the original structure left. This work was well documented.
Wooden Ships Comments on this Harry Feltham Gaff Cutter
Designed and built by Harry Feltham in 1930.
Major rebuild in previous ownership around 2000. This involved nearly 50% new planking, new deck and deck beams, new coachroof and complete new cockpit. Floors across the centreline replaced in laminated timber to remove issue of corroding metal straps.
The vessel was then sadly damaged by fire after a nearby boat caught alight. The damage was fairly superficial and confined to just one side. Purchased by the current shipwright owner, she was repaired to a high standard, including replacement of all the keel bolts using proper wrought iron.
4 berths with good headroom in a very comfortable interior. Nicely fitted out with plenty of light, this is a comfortable yacht to be aboard. The rig is set up for short handed sailing, including furling headsails and self tailing winches.
A smart yacht that is very sensibly priced. 2020 survey report.
Wooden Ships Comments on this Laurent Giles Vertue V2
Laurent Giles Vertue No.2 built by E.F. Elkins of Christchurch in 1937.
This was the second Vertue ever launched after Andrillot, built by the well known Elkins yard who became prolific builders of Vertue yachts.
These early examples of the Vertue differ to the later boats that were more common and only 8 examples were launched. They have a slightly lower freeboard, more exaggerated sheer line and a lower coachroof with no doghouse. They are widely regarded as prettier boats than the later sisters, but have less volume inside and only sitting headroom.
The sea keeping qualities of these yachts is legendary, perhaps the most accomplished small cruising design ever built, the Vertue is a superb boat at sea and in heavy weather where they will out perform many bigger boats and give their crew an incredible sense of security and safety.
Sally II is built from excellent materials, pitch pine planking, lead keel bronze keel bolts and bronze strap floors, all of which will ensure her longevity.
Recent mast from Noble Spars and a good suit of sails.
The current professional owner has had the boat for 30 years, cruising first from the Solent around Brittany, the West country and the Channel then on the west coast of Scotland for the last 20 years. A 2019 survey gave her a clean bill of health from a structural point of view.
A very special boat with lots of detailed history, original blue book, builders invoices and associated documentation. She has been on the Lloyds register since new.
Wooden Ships Comments on this 33′ Fantasi Yachts Sloop For Sale
33’ Bermudan sloop built by Fantasi Yachts of Sweden in 1967.
Built for the importer of Fiat cars in Sweden, she was designed as a spacious and capable cruising boat for northern waters.
Fantasi Yachts is a well-known yard that has designed and built many boats, including some much larger yachts. The build quality of this yacht is superb and a testament to the yard that built her. Her previous owner carried out a major boat refit sometime between 2006 and 2010.
The current owner bought her in the Lofoten Islands, Norway and sailed home via Scotland, Ireland and the West Country. Since then she has been professionally maintained by a very good specialist wooden boat yard and has had work done to remedy the small issues raised by a 2016 survey.
List of main jobs done in recent years:
New mast from Collars – 2017
New standing rigging – 2019
New halyards – 2019
New guard wires -2019
Completely re-wired with new charger and inverter – 2021
New batteries – 2021
Small hull repair with 1 new plank
Deck re-caulked and re-payed, then coated with Coelan
Hull stripped to bare wood and re-painted above and below waterline – 2021
Recently undergone extensive works in 2023 and 2024 total cost approximately £15,000
Rebuild Deadwood following removal of Engine and Shaft
Fit 9 new Stainless Steel Bolts
Refit lower Rudder Pintle
Repaint under engine tray
Install new Whale MRV bilge pump
Hull repainted in Epifanes White and Blue Antifoul
Regular annual maintenance
An elegant and very spacious yacht, a very capable cruising boat that has been proven and used properly. Ready to go this season
Ex RNLB 'Samuel and Marie Parkhouse' is a Watson Class lifeboat built in 1938. She served as the Salcombe lifeboat from 1938 -1962 and is currently berthed in Salcombe where she is a treasured part of the local boating community. Fitted with twin Gardner 6LX engines, she has been returned very close to her original exterior appearance. Down below she has a sleeping cabin and saloon up forward containing 4 berths and a small heads compartment. Shipwright owned, this boat is a regular visitor to classic boat events and RNLI gatherings, cruising around the south coast every summer.woodenships.co.uk/motor-yacht/ex-rnlb-watson-class-lifeboat/... See MoreSee Less
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