Murray Yole

Full specification

Wooden Ships Comments on this Murray Yole

Built in 1995 by boatbuilder Ian Richardson of Orkney to one of his own designs known as a Murray Yole.  He took the inspiration for this design from several local traditional vessels, picking out the best bits and incorporating them to create a fine vessel with plenty of character.

The boat has been moored at the same place since she was built and has had 3 owners, all of whom have looked after her and kept up regular maintenance as required.  She can now be found in lovely condition and is sure to be the centre of attention wherever she goes.

With a wide beam for a boat of her size, she has the typical lines of a traditional Scottish vessel.  Her deep forefoot and sharp turn to the bilge give inherent stability in all directions while the run on the planking aft allows her to slip gracefully and effortlessly through the water.

Length on Deck                 17’2”

Beam                                    8’3”

Draft                                      2’6”

Construction

Hull

Clinker planked in 1.5cm larch all copper rivet fastened to steam bent oak timbers.

Oak back bone, stem and stern posts with grown oak floors across the centreline.

Tiller steering to a rudder hung on the stern post in the traditional way.

Ballast is from stones in the bilge as would have been the traditional manner

Decks and cockpit

Unusually for a boat of this size she is almost completely decked over except for a well at the aft for the helmsman and a well forward for the crew.  Between these is the hatch over the engine space.  This makes her very seaworthy and capable of taking more weather than a completely open boat.

Decks are straight laid solid planking, caulked and payed then finished with grey deck paint.  All round is a low toe rail set on heavy stanchions fastened to the sheer strake.

Rig

Dipping lug rig on a single deck stepped wooden mast in a tabernacle.

As is normal with a lug rig there is no standing rigging but the halyard falls serve as the shrouds on the windward side.

Tan terylene mainsail in good condition, 15sqm.  Approximately 20 years old.

Machinery

Engine

Volvo Penta 36hp 3cyl marine diesel mounted on the centreline.  Alternator overhauled 2014.

Single lever control with a hydraulic gearbox and stainless shaft to a 3 blade bronze propeller gives 5 knots cruising speed, 7 knots max.

Batteries

Single 12v cranking battery located under the deck, new 2014, charged from the engine alternator.

Tanks

12l plastic fuel tank located below the deck gives ample cruising range.

Accommodation

There are 2 basic berths below the foredeck accessed from the forward cockpit well.  With the tent over the top this is good sheltered accommodation for occasional use

Equipment

Riveira steering compass

Handheld GPS

3 x lifejackets

Hall type anchor with 5m chain + warp

Boom tent type cover