20 Feet for 20 Grand (*approx)
While we are seeing a ground swell of enthusiasm for classic dinghies, and the proper keelboat market, (while still a little sluggish), ticks along just fine, we don’t hear much about the in between size… the 18-22ft market. And considering that every state in Australia has a cruising ground that suits these little wonders, this seems a bit strange. Whether it’s a weekend on the Gippsland Lakes, or a circuit of Proper Bay from Port Lincoln, or washing through the Great Sandy Strait in Queensland, an adventure on a shallow draft wooden sailing boat can bring as much pleasure as crossing any ocean.
With this in mind I’ve hunted down five boats for sale that fit neatly into these parameters. There’s great history here, and lots of opportunity to fall in love!
GUMNUT
GUMNUT is a beautiful old wooden Gaff Cutter rigged sail boat. She was built in 1887 by a couple of German Brothers on the shores of Sydney and has been in many different locations around Australia including Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania, Paynesville and Hobsons bay.
This boat is a piece of Australian Maritime heritage with not many other boats older than her that are still afloat. Her planks are made out of New Zealand Kauri, stringers out of spotted gum, marine ply deck house, Oregon Spars, spotted gum bowsprit, teak decking and brass fittings and winches. She has a full-length lead keel and a copper plated timber stem. She is a dream to sail and super forgiving. The perfect day boat for Port Philip although I have sailed her on over night trips to Port Arlington and Geelong. She has performed well in all types of weather out in Port Philip Bay. She is currently registered with Royal Yacht Club of Victoria and has a safety category 5 rating.
Over the years she has had many refits and overhauls with lots of photos from the more recent ones (past 20 years). The amount of work that has gone into maintaining, overhauling and keeping her sailing is only but a testament for what a precious little boat she is. I had only crew sailing experience when I took on the ownership of this boat and she has taught me how to sail, maintain and run a boat by myself! A Gaff cutter is a pretty little rig! Being on the smaller side of things maintenance is a breeze where I allocate 2 - 3 days of work per year to keep her in tip top condition.
During my tenure some of the tasks I have undertaken have been to sand back and re varnish all timber spars with 6 coats of varnish, sand back completely and re varnish the timber decks and bright work. Re paint the deckhouse. Sand back and re paint the interior. Remove, strengthen with internal timber blocking, stainless bolts and reinstall the bowsprit. Replace all halyards with double braid line. Install a clew outhaul for the Gaff main and downhauls for the 2 head sails. She is easy to reef and down head sails even though she has a long bowsprit. She comes with an up to date maintenance record book which also has sailing tips that I have been adding over the years.
With training it is possible to sail by yourself but to comfortably sail you would be looking for a crew of 2 or 3. You can comfortably sail with 5 people on board.
She has an inboard 15 horse power Yanmar engine which was rebuilt approx. 15 years ago and with only 250 hours on the clock she has plenty of life left. There is a 7 litre tank under one of the cockpit seats which will last you for approx. 7 hours of motoring at 4-5 knots
$25,000 ONO
For more information contact Lucas Brown
TYPSY-G
This Replica of 1912 Herreshoff Alerion was a participant at the recent AWBF in Hobart She was built tradionally under licence from the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in 2010 in Honduran mahogany, King Billy pine, American White Oak and Oregon. Bronze blocks (roller race) from original patterns by Renick (USA). All visible fastenings bronze with some stainless steel used in non visible areas. Recently repainted topsides and varnished deck. Also rerigged. Sailed 100 miles on the Tawe Nunnagah from South end of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to Hobart for the Australian wooden boat Festival. Last antifouled late 2024 and moored on Bruny Island. Sails very nicely and both sails in very good condition with sail covers. The design was in two models "Alerion" and "Sadie" Both are on display at museums (Herreshoff museum in Maine and Mystic Seaport, Mystic). This one uses the later mods introduced for the Sadie which was Captain Herreshoff's own boat.
An exceptionally nice day sailer that turns heads everywhere it goes.
Can be readily towed by larger 4wds. And trailer is availble for sale separately. Can be delivered anywhere in Australia for additional costs.
$19,900 Negotiable
For more information contact Denis Gilbert via THIS ADD
SAGA
(Image is of a Sister Ship)
With the Sakonnet 23, designer Joel White sought to design a simple daysailer that offers “good speed, comfortable seating for four, and good looks,” because “a properly designed daysailer gives the maximum in boating pleasure for the dollars spent.” I think it’s safe to say that this double-ended accomplishes White’s simple goal. Its lines are classic, and its ballasted centerboard, which draws 5 feet, 2 inches, provides excellent stability. With the centerboard retracted into the 920-pound keel, draft shrinks to 22 inches.
This example, in Parkdale Victoria, is beautifully constructed from two layer of pine (outer layer huon pine) and carbon fibre sandwich It has an almost new main, jib and Genoa.
Ronstan fittings, boat cover and tarp
Almost new 4hp Yamaha outboard
Complete with life jackets, fenders, boat hooks etc ready to sail
Very easy to rig single handed
On a solid, registered trailer
LOA 23.17 ft
LWL 18.67 ft
SA 193 ft
Beam 6.08 ft
Max draft 5.16 ft
Min draft 1.83 ft
Inspection most welcome,
$17,000 price negotiable
For more information contact Mark Adams via THIS ADD
Harriet
Built by the Higgs Brothers in Geelong in 1938 21’5” Harriet (nee Birgitta E) is thought to have fished during her early years out of Lorne. In 2001 Malcom Bamford purchased Harriet in a dilapidated condition, where she was sitting on a mooring at Apollo Bay. Alongside Len Dodson, a local tradesman from Sorrento, an extensive restoration took place.
In 2014 Harriett transitioned into a larger syndicate of young SSCBC members. In 2019 she won the Portsea Cup on handicap and presents as a wonderful opportunity for any people interested in being competitive in the ever-expanding division two fleet at Sorrento.
Harriet has been regularly serviced and maintained by The Wooden Boatshop. She carries a Nanni 3.75 HE engine, last serviced in 2023. Her sails are Hooper, and she was re-rigged with new sheets prior to last season. A mooring favourably positioned off SSCBC is also available for purchase at a competitive price.
$14,950
For more information contact Rollo
Jackie R
A Len Randell designed 23ft Masthead cruising/racing sloop. “Originally Designed for JOG class”
LOA 23ft Beam 7’3” Draft 3’6”
Engine: Kubota 15Hp diesel with RPM gearbox.
Jackie R was completed in 2010, using the best quality materials.
Construction is of Flooded Gum Keelson, Tasmanian Oak steam bent ribs, strip planked in Spruce, edge nailed, and bronze screwed to ribs.
The Hull is fibre glassed for added strength and protection. It has a lead keel.
The Galley includes ice box, metho stove and sink with fresh water. Equipped with marine toilet, electric anchor winch, depth sounder and Raymarine GPS mapping.
Includes full cover.
Full construction photos and logbook available to interested persons.
She has never let me down, is easily sailed and will point very close to the wind at good speed.
Winner of the WBA NSW 2011 Hal Harpur award.
Located at Yamba marina NSW.
Price $25,000
Contact: Andrew Randell Ph: 0427 154 886