Wooden Ships Comments on this Percy Dalton Gaff Cutter
Built by Dartmouth based shipwright Peter Nash in Dartmouth in 1979-1980 to a design by Cornish naval architect Percy Dalton based on the Bristol Channel pilot cutters and the West Country sailing fishing boats. Long keel with pronounced rocker, straight stem and transom stern with elegant tumble-home and rudder hung on the transom. The underwater shape of this yacht gives some clue as to the very impressive performance and sailing capabilities which have gained her such a fantastic reputation over the years.
One of the most remarkable gaff cutters in UK waters. Although she has the appearance of a traditional pre-war boat she was only built 35 years ago and she has had considerable up-grading and ongoing maintenance work since.
In the past she has made several trans-Atlantic passages, competed successfully in many classic regattas and won her class at the Antigua Classics. On her first crossing she sailed from the Canaries to St Lucia in an incredible 17 days proving her to be a very fast and seaworthy yacht. She is capable of being sailed very hard but equally has proved herself as a comfortable long distance cruising boat. Her huge benefit is the cockpit which is deep, safe and spacious and means the crew are not perched on the deck as is the case with many gaffers these days.
In the present ownership she has been given a major refit including a complete new deck plus new stanchions and bulwarks, rig overhaul and new running rigging, re-wire and new systems.
Wooden Ships Comments on this Arthur Robb Lion Class
Designed by Arthur C. Robb and built by the Cheoy Lee Shipyard, Hong Kong in 1961.
The Lion Class was a very successful design from the eminent Arthur C. Robb. Many examples (including this one) were built by the Cheoy Lee Shipyard in Hong Kong benefitting from the close proximity of tropical forests where the best teak could be sourced.
The Lion Class was built in deep and shallow draft variants, this yacht being the deeper type at 5’7” with a reasonably cut away forefoot making her nimble and quick in the turn. Elegant stretched ends with a sleek counter and a very sweet sheer line which is helped by the low profile coachroof.
This yacht has benefited from an incredible amount of diligent refit work by the three most recent owners. Initially in Bermuda during the 90’s where much of the interior was altered and bronze strap floors fitted replacing the original steel. After crossing the Atlantic several times and competing very successfully in the Antigua Classics regatta in 2004 and 2005 she came back to the UK. Her successful racing career continued with notable results in the Round The Island race and other classic regattas.
In the following ownership she had a good deal of updating including a new engine, systems and rig with a thorough cosmetic spruce up but in the current ownership the standard of finish, systems, and structural maintenance were taken to a new level with major work to include dropping of the ballast keel and replacement of all keel bolts, some beefing up of the centreline structure and the yawl rig replaced by a beautiful custom made fractional sloop rig in full length Oregon pine to the original drawings. All work carried out by David Moss Boatbuilders who are well known for their exceptional quality.
Other work carried out during the refit included new timber hatches to replace modern ones, much improved access to the drive and stern gland, a new fuel tank, rudder bearings and a Featherstream four bladed folding prop giving much improved performance under sail.
The work was completed by a back to bare timber repaint and professional varnish work. A new suit of top quality tri-radial sails by Goachers put the finishing touches to what is now a top class yacht in superb order.
A shakedown season in the Irish Sea and Western Approaches during 2022 allowed thorough testing of the new rig and systems. The yacht has been stored under cover since and is in ready to sail condition.
Wooden Ships Comments on this 45′ Laurent Giles Bermudan Cutter
45’ Bermudan cutter designed by Jack Laurent Giles and built by the Ahmadi Boatyard, Bombay in 1949.
This yacht is unmistakably a Laurent Giles and looks to be a stretched Channel Class or Brittany Class, with the tell tale counter, exaggerated sheer line and split coachroof either side of the mast.
She was built for Colonel I.A. Vaughan who was based in India at the time. Her construction is slightly unusual with double diagonal planking, but this was a proven method of yacht construction, used exclusively by the RNLI for their lifeboats. Being all teak with copper fastenings it has stood the test of time very well.
By 1960 the yacht was based in Cape Town under Dutch ownership and subsequently sailed north to Holland for a refit in 1964. She spent the next 12 years sailing northern Europe, the Baltic and Norway before being dismasted off Denmark and was purchased by the owner of the shipyard who maintained the yacht for the owner. His family refitted her and sailed her locally until she was bought by the present UK owner in 2010. She was cruised on the east coast but over the last few years has been laid up afloat under a winter cover due to personal circumstances.
She is now being offered for sale at a very attractive price to generate a quick sale to a new owner who will appreciate the quality of the boat and will be able to use her to her potential.
This is a very elegant yacht, proven as a blue water cruising boat and capable of putting in very good passage times.
6 single berths with 6’4” headroom below decks. All original hardwood joinery.
Wooden Ships Comments on this Laurent Giles Vertue V54
Laurent Giles Vertue No.54 launched in 1959.
Built by the current owners father with some items completed by Elkins of Christchurch towards the end of the build. Plans were purchased from Laurent Giles and Partners in 1950, and working alone until the latter stages the builder launched her in 1959.
This is the long doghouse model giving a smaller cockpit but more internal volume. The result is a clear 6’ headroom in the doghouse which for a 25’ classic yacht is very acceptable.
She was bought back into the family in 2000 when a new Beta engine was fitted, used extensively for many years, but for the last 10 years she has been lovingly maintained but has seen little sailing. New running rigging, standing rigging and chain plates circa 2012 have hardly been strained.
This year she has had a new hollow spruce mast, due to be fitted in May 2024.
There are 2 unusual features of this boat, firstly her construction is larch strip planking, not very common at the time of her build but it suited the owner and builder well as he was working alone on the construction. Secondly she has wheel steering and is possibly the only Vertue to do so. The idea was to keep the cockpit clear of a swinging tiller as she was sailed extensively in her early years with a family of 5.
A nice well cared for example of the Vertue class with the benefit of a brand new mast. 2020 survey report available.
Wooden Ships Comments on this G.L. Watson Gaff Cutter
Designed by G.L. Watson and according to the Greenock Herald, she was launched on 24th April 1887 from the yard of Thomas Orr Jr. from his Greenock yard on the Clyde.
Rebuilt by the Chantier Bernard in St Vaast, France. Relaunched in 2017.
The yacht was built to a commission for Robert Cowan Robertson who was a student at the Glasgow School of Art and an exact contemporary of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
The commission was No.134 for Watson with lines based on those of the Loch Fyne Skiff type fishing vessels which have a very distinctive stern, generous freeboard and a straight stem.
One of her defining features is her interior and most of the salon joinery is original. Her elaborate decor was a result of Robertsons wealth and artistic inclinations and is characteristic of Clydeside fashionable interiors of the time. One of her most notable features is a pair of stained glass sliding panels depicting a stylised Scottish thistle very much in the ‘Glasgow’ style, and although highly unusual for a yacht interior, they represent the true essence of this yacht, her history and her period.
The raised and fielded oak panelling, fluted pilasters, Ionic capitals and egg and dart cornice throughout the saloon represent the highest possible standard of joinery.
Bought by the present owner in 2009, there then started a major rebuild of the boat involving every facet of the hull, rig, systems and interior. The keel came off, stem replaced, 80% new planking and frames. Complete new deck structure and interior replaced or refurbished with all new systems and a complete new rig. This remarkable rebuild was imagined by the yachts eccentric owner whos ambition, vision and drive have helped give a new lease of life to this unique yacht.
The yacht was launched again in 2017.
This yacht is a completely unique piece of maritime history, unusual in her design, rich in history and pedigree and with a stunning interior first conceived and fitted over 125 years ago.
Wooden Ships Comments on this International Six Meter GBR32
International Six Meter racing yacht built to Rule 2.
Designed by Johan Anker and built by Anker and Jensen in 1931.
She was built as the personal yacht of Johan Anker and in her he won the Scandinavian Gold Cup in Gothenburg in 1931. In 1932 she was sold to the great helmsman Magnus Konow who won the Gold Cup and the One Ton Cup. In 1933 she was sold to the UK and was converted for cruising around 1935 and spent much of her time after this on the Hamble.
In 2003 she was purchased by a well known member of the meter boat community, rebuilt and raced successfully at various events around Europe.
Purchased by the current owner in 2019 she then went through a major refit involving serious structural repairs and improvements, a complete new rig and all new systems. Clare Lallows yard on the Isle of Wight, together with an experienced yacht surveyor, completed a structural refit including new planking, frames and rudder replacement.
The yacht is now offered in full racing trim, optimised to a very high level and fully equipped for racing in the 6 meter series.
Top professionals have been engaged at all stages of the design and build to ensure the hull, rig and systems are as good as they could possibly be. The rig was designed in conjunction with various people including Tim Dean Consultancy Ltd.
Now under UK flag, this 6mR yacht is sailing under the sail number GBR31. Raced at the 2023 Worlds in Cowes and finished 11th overall.
Offered for sale individually, but could be bought as part of a pair in conjunction with Abu. The systems, rigs and racing set up are identical on each boat making for exciting sailing as part of a team.
Wooden Ships Comments on this International Six Meter GBR31
International 6 meter racing yacht SILVERVINGEN built to Rule 3. Designed by Tore Holm and built by Hagerstens Batvarv, Sweden in 1939.
At the outbreak of WWII, Silvervingen was laid up and not sailed until after the war. Tore Holm designed a cruising interior and small coachroof for her, but she went on to race successfully throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s under various different names.
Purchased in 2004 by the previous owner, Silvervingen was in a sorry state and needing a thorough rebuild. Over a 9 year period the deck was removed and the hull slowly put back into shape to reinstate the original sheer line. The wooden keel was replaced and new ballast keel bolts fitted. Over 70 frames were replaced in streamed oak and all the galvanised plate floors were renewed. A new deck was fitted with 12mm plywood overlaid with Oregon pine.
She was then sold into UK ownership and a major period of upgrading commenced to optimise the yacht for racing in the 6m series. The basic boat was in excellent condition and needed little structural repair, but the rig was renewed entirely, the deck hardware layout professionally re-designed and all new electronic systems fitted.
Top professionals have been engaged at all stages of the design and build to ensure the hull, rig and systems are as good as they could possibly be.
Now under UK flag, this 6mR yacht is sailing under the sail number GBR31. The boat was raced in the 2023 6m Worlds and finished 3rd overall in the Classic Division. This is a yacht at the top of her game, in superb condition and fitted out to a supremely high level.
Wooden Ships Comments on this 31′ Kim Holman Sloop
A classic 31ft Kim Holman designed yacht, built in 1962 by Tucker Brown Yacht Builders of Burnham on Crouch, Essex
Being offered for sale at a very low price due to circumstances of the owner, not because the yacht is in a poor state.
The yacht was designed by Kim Holman for his friend Mr. Richard (Dickie) Bird as a 21st birthday present for his son John. Richard Bird was a very keen and wealthy yachtsman, as well as Commodore of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Burnham on Crouch. This superb yacht was purpose built for cruising and racing.
She remained in the ownership of John Bird for 45 years, before passing into the ownership of Howard and Robert Bryson in 2007 and to the current owners in 2012.
She was the first Holman 31 following on from the design of the Stella, but larger and followed closely by the Twister and the North Sea 24. She has obviously been a much-loved boat and sailed extensively over the years. She has been a successful club racer and cruising boat and has won several West Mersea regattas. She is an extremely attractive design and her current owner has copies of the original design drawings.
She is a well maintained boat in near original condition with some modern equipment to facilitate safe handling, navigation and comfortable cruising.
Being offered at a very low and attractive price due to the sad passing of the owner, the family wish to see her in a deserving new ownership as soon as possible.
Designed by Kim Holman and built by Tucker Brown in 1971.
Lucky Star is a Stella with some useful improvements added by the commissioning owner to make her a more capable and seaworthy cruising version of the well known and much loved Kim Holman design. Built by Tucker brown in 1971, she benefits from the following improvements:
Masthead rig with gold anodised aluminium mast, a safer cruising rig with a bigger foretriangle
5/8” rather than 9/16” planking, making her stronger and structurally stiffer
Self draining cockpit and small round portlights, making her more seaworthy
Possibly a slightly deeper and heavier ballast keel, making her stiffer and more capable to windward
These improvements have resulted in a very capable and fast – she averaged 6.2 knots over the ground crossing the Channel from Weymouth to Alderney in June 2022 – traditional cruising yacht, small enough to be affordable yet large enough go offshore, as shown by her extensive cruises over the years that have taken her as far as the west coast of Ireland, and the Bay of Biscay, and all points in between. She is more than capable of holding her own against Holman’s later and marginally larger Twister class yacht.
The previous owner bought the boat in 1983 and kept up with a steady maintenance regime including replacing rigging and keel bolts on a rolling program and generally keeping the boat up to a good standard for coastal cruising. She has explored the English channel extensively, been south to St Nazaire and west to southern Ireland.
The victim of a collision while on her mooring last year, she is now in need of some repairs to the bow with damage as follows:
Bent pulpit frame and damaged foredeck where the pulpit was hit
Bow roller ripped out and lost
Minor cosmetic scrapes and chafe
A fine little yacht needing some small repairs. The work would seem to be within the capabilities of an enthusiastic amateur.
Wooden Ships Comments on this Harrison Butler Z4 Sloop
Harrison Butler Z4 Tonner with raised topsides.
Built by Alfred Lockhart Marine of Brentford in 1939. One of the 50 or so Boats built to the Zyklon design by Dr T. Harrison Butler between 1938 and 1939.
Approximately 6 were built to this slightly altered design with raised topsides to increase the volume of the cabin.
Harrison Butler Association Certificate of Authentication No.1
HB Association Sail No. HBZ435.
This boat has been in the present ownership since 1981 and used extensively for family cruising, with young children growing up aboard the boat cruising around the UK.
Thorough survey from November 2023 with a detailed list of invoices showing work done since that survey. Copy of this survey and invoices available on request.
45’ Laurent Giles cutter built in India in 1949. Double diagonal teak planking. Unmistakably Laurent Giles, she is just a big Channel Class. Proven ocean cruising boat, fast and capable. Offered for sale at only £24,000 due to the owners personal circumstances. woodenships.co.uk/sailing-yacht/45-laurent-giles-bermudan-cutter/... See MoreSee Less
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
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