English Eccentrics
I’ve spent too much time on the big boat listing aggregators recently. I always start a search with so much optimism, and then the mishmash of soulless production non entities, unrealistically priced one-offs, and boats than need to be put out of their misery becomes too much, and I switch to the more bespoke sites that have fewer offerings but more potential.
One such page is part of the site of the English Magazine “Classic Boat”. They have a free service that lists 100’s of boats for sale, and the only word that truely describes the offering is “eclectic”
Even if you are not in the market for a wooden boat there are hours of enjoymet and dreaming to be had on these pages. They tell stories, not just of engine hours and cabin layouts, but of relationships, love stories, disasters and triumps. Here are five examples to whet your appetite.
DUET
DUET was designed by Sir Thomas Glen-Coats and built by the renowned Scottish yard McGruer & Co in 1926 to compete in the International 6 M class.
Thomas Glen-Coats after completing his apprenticeship worked as a naval architect for Alfred Mylne & Co and specialised in the metre class; producing some wonderful race-winning yachts. Born into the famous Coats cotton dynasty of Paisley, he owned many yachts which he had designed himself. Considered an illustrious designer in his own right, his most famous victory was winning the gold medal for Great Britain in the 1908 Olympics; that race contested in his home waters of the Clyde. Sailing HERA, Glen-Coats pushed the Alfred Mylne designed yacht MOUCHETTE into silver medal position – thus securing an immortal Olympics one-two for A. Mylne & Co.
Following the war DUET became a “Q Class” handicap cruiser with the addition of her attractive cuddy / cabin and interior accommodation etc. She was subsequently restored by the International College of Boatbuilding and displayed at the London Boat Show as an exemplar of their work and skill. In more recent years she has had refits by leading Lymington boat builders, Steve Etheridge and Neville Hutton.
In 2011 DUET took overall victory in the Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival, held annually on the Isle of Wight, in which 150 plus gaff rig yachts took part. Then on her way down to the Mediterranean she competed in and won the Open Championship for International Classic 6 M Class at La Trinite-sur-Mer. Since then she has raced from her Cannes base, winning several races including the Yacht Club de France “Coupe d’Automne” in 2012 and the Vintage Class overall at Les Voiles d’Antibes in 2013. In 2014, she was 3rd in Les Voiles d’Antibes and 2nd at the Régates Royales Cannes. DUET has a 2014 CIM certificate, APM 245 and is also 6 M certificated with Bermudan rig. An extensive selection of original drawings is available from the Alfred Mylne design archive.
Price: GBP 39,000 – offers considered for prompt sale +447802 367390
MISCHIEF III
A stunning 1935 Harrison Butler yacht in impeccable ‘as new’ condition, offered by Vivid Blue Marine. Built by A.W. Clemens to a Yonne-class design of Dr. T. Harrison-Butler, this Bermudan cutter rigged sloop has a long keel and is a true testament to classic British yacht building.
Constructed in Old Portsmouth, ‘Mischief III’ was carvel planked in pitch-pine on oak frames. In 2012, she underwent a full restoration of such outstanding quality that she won Classic Boat Magazine’s ‘Restoration of the Year Award’. The high standard of craftsmanship is still evident today, from her rich varnished surfaces to her beautifully hand-finished fittings.
The current owner has thoughtfully modernised the yacht without compromising her vintage charm, adding a modern sea head, galley with a built-in fridge, and a retractable binnacle for the Garmin chart plotter. With four berths and a reliable Beta B2482 13.5HP diesel engine, ‘Mischief III’ is perfectly equipped for comfortable cruising.
A flawless March 2024 survey is available for review, confirming the yacht’s exceptional condition. For those seeking a classic yacht with both beauty and reliability, ‘Mischief III’ is a rare and exquisite find.
Winner of ‘Classic Boat Magazine’ Best
Restoration 2012, Voted ‘TOP 100’ Classics 2013. Looking for a new custodian £34,950
Contact: Contact: Jonathan sellboats@vividbluemarine.com
JASMINE
Jasmine is a classic four berth Great Ouse river boat / Fenland cruiser. She was built by the famous Banhams of Cambridge in the late 1950s / early 1960s. Her construction comprises teak planking under the waterline with varnished mahogany planking to gunwale on oak frames and varnished mahogany cabin sides. Fawn trakmark covered upper / lower decks and a red vinyl cockpit canopy.
Her accommodation comprises of a forward drive cockpit area. The door forward gives access to the engine compartment and the door aft leads to the main salon. In the main salon, two dinette units either side convert into single berths. Mid-ship, there is a galley including stainless steel sink & drainer with hot & cold water supply (hot water provided by calorifier from engine) and high mounted battery / electric / gas fridge with storage locker underneath. Also mid-ship is a toilet compartment with fitted sea WC and vanity basin. At the rear, there is a double berth cabin.
Length 8.66m (28ft 5”). Beam 3.0m (9ft 10”). Draught 0.71m (2ft 4”).
For many years, she was run as a hire boat by Two Tees Boatyard on the Great Ouse. In the late 1990s, she was extensively refurbished by Hermitage Marina. In 1998, a new Vetus 414 4-cylinder diesel engine was fitted. The engine hour meter reads less than 500 hours. Instruments include single lever control, rev counter, voltmeter, temperature gauge and oil pressure gauge.
We have owned Jasmine since 2002, when warm air heating was fitted. Over the last 20 years, she has been lovingly maintained by us. About 5 years ago, some mahogany planking was replaced. Last summer, black tar varnish was re-applied under the waterline. The last engine service was in October 2022. The Boat Safety Certificate is valid until October 2026.
Jasmine is currently moored at Tewkesbury Marina with a valid River Avon Navigation License for 2023.
The only reason for selling is we’re getting too old. We would like to find a new owner for Jasmine, who is a fellow enthusiast for classic boats and a bygone era. This is an opportunity to acquire a unique boat built by a renowned builder, which has been well looked after during her lifetime. Jasmine is much admired and guaranteed to turn heads when cruising along the river.
Price : £9,950 ONO
Contact email : sue-green@hotmail.co.uk
MADRIGAL
Classic Wooden Marconi Rigged Yawl
L.O.A.- 46 ‘, Beam- 11’11”, Draft- 6’6”, D.W.L- 32’ 6” Displacement- 32,000 Lbs.
HISTORY & OWNER’S COMMENTS
Sparkman & Stephens custom design #1330 was designed for Albert B. Boardman in 1958 and built by the Paul E Luke shipyard in East Boothbay, Maine as hull number 54. She was launched in June of 1958 and remains in the same family today. She was designed as a fast racer/cruiser and has excelled in both venues. She is a big-comfortable, well balanced boat, sea kindly and competitive in all breezes. Her racing career started in 1962 with the Newport to Bermuda race and continued through the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s in club and offshore races winning many trophies and accolades. She came back to Maine in 1982 again to compete in club races and as a favorite in the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta Classic Boat series. She competed in the first regatta in 1985 and continued until 2006 when she retired from racing. She has been well maintained by her owner along with modern upgrades by the renowned “Brooklin Boat Yard” of Brooklin Maine. She has been stored inside every year at that location out of the weather.
CONSTRUCTION
THE HULL:
Double planked mahogany over virginia white cedar bronze screw fastened into 1-½”X 1-⅜” white oak ribs on 10” centers. 2” sawn floors at every frame station with bronze diagonal strapping over the ribs and along the hull. The cedar is back fastened to the oak in a rosette pattern of bronze screws throughout. There is a bronze weldment supporting the mast step which extends into the frames both forward and aft of the mast. The ribs have been sistered with epoxy laminated frames from aft of the mast to the engine beds in 1988. The keel is 10,500 Lbs of poured lead fastened by( 6) 1-½” bronze keel bolts. The rudder is mahogany planked with bronze drift pins and bronze trailing edge.
The rudder is supported on a bronze heel fitting and held with one set of bronze gudgeons and pintles. The bronze post enters through the oak stern post and bronze port, capped inside with bronze gland. Steering is manipulated by a wheel chain connected to a wire cable quadrant. There is an emergency tiller facilitated by removing a bronze deck plate
THE DECKS:
The decks were completely replaced with ¾ teak overlaid on ½” Okoume marine plywood in 2007. All the hardware was removed and refurbished at this time. The exposed deck beams were all treated and painted also. The decks are fitted with custom cast solid bronze 2 wire stanchions bolted through the covering board for overboard protection along with 1” stainless stern and bow pulpit surrounds as lifeline terminations with midship pelican hooked gates on port and starboard.
CABIN/HOUSE:
Teak cabin trunk with Dynel/epoxy roof coated in 1990. Sawn white oak 1-¼’ X 2” beams on 9” centers. The cabin was lifted when the new decks were installed and a new teak “Grub” was installed around the perimeter of the cabin. There are ¼” bronze plate knees installed both forward and aft of the mast partners for added support. 2 Hatches and 7 Portlights (3 opening) are supplied for visibility and ventilation along with 2 dorade vents. The large teak companionway hatch rests in a garage with sliders for easy access. The hatch is covered by a folding spray hood for inclement weather.
CONTACT: MADRIGAL is listed at $220,000. If interested contact Albert Boardman yachtmadrigal@gmail.com
ZEST
Probably the most famous Tumlare in the UK. Fully restored and ready for the new season. Very successful racing record. Comes with a Harbeck trailer, and a Torqueedo outboard. This boat is a delight to sail or race. Currently in dry storage at the Aldeburgh Boatyard, Suffolk.
Price: £30,000 email: jt@tintin2.co.uk
And while we are on the topic of interesting Brokerage websites… Here are a few others of my favourites