chinita
Well-Known Member
Funnily enough, I looked at it shortly after it was built. It was very nice and VERY pricey. But too small.
I bought an eight year old HR36 instead.
I bought an eight year old HR36 instead.
Advice on Golden Hind 31
- Thread starter PEEJAYSEA
- Start date
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-Known Member
Without a doubt, the marine ply would need extensive attention by now. I have totally refurbished a 26 ft marine ply boat many years ago; it is easy but time consuming; I ended up replacing ply panels (8 by ft) which was easier than repairing patches. Also, the structural integrity relies on the uniformity of the ply panel structure. Usually, the chine edges rot and the boat looses its strength. Ply is light and very strong in all directions but obviously rots. No ply will last more than 25 years without water penetrating the edges. In most cases, rain water penetrates through the deck which rots the wood; unlike sea water which "pickles" the wood. Unless the GH had major refurbishment, It would not worth much.
Wooden Boat Fittings
Well-Known Member
That's a nice story, Jim. Thanks for recounting it. (It also shows what a good designer MG was.)
This is absolutely true. You should ignore the old EOA website (if it still exists) and concentrate on the EOG site. The site has a page devoted to the Golden Hinds here -- http://www.eventides.org.uk/goldpic.htm
and there's an EOG forum here -- http://www.eventides.org.uk/forum/index.php?sid=a081f9bc312d0077bf3e125f02da9962
Mike
JimHaynes
New Member
Storm in August 1979
Yes, it was the Fastnet storm. The BBC weather report had not yet broadcasted the change in the previous forecast, but we saw swells coming from the NW conflicting with the prevalent ones coming from the SW. Those NW swells were quickly becoming larger, so we started preparing for a major change. We were down to merely a storm staysail by time the very large swells started breaking. That's when we cleared the deck, rigged for laying ahull quartering up the waves, and went below and strapped in. Scared out of our minds for the next 7 - 8 hours.
Yes, it was the Fastnet storm. The BBC weather report had not yet broadcasted the change in the previous forecast, but we saw swells coming from the NW conflicting with the prevalent ones coming from the SW. Those NW swells were quickly becoming larger, so we started preparing for a major change. We were down to merely a storm staysail by time the very large swells started breaking. That's when we cleared the deck, rigged for laying ahull quartering up the waves, and went below and strapped in. Scared out of our minds for the next 7 - 8 hours.
lukedh
Well-Known Member
The repair of a plywood GH is documented here:
http://www.eventides.org.uk/builder37.htm
It gives some indication of the work that might be involved.
http://www.eventides.org.uk/builder37.htm
It gives some indication of the work that might be involved.
charles_reed
Well-Known Member
Great thread about one of the great "vernacular" British boats, especially Jim Haynes' unsolicited testimonial.
I started sailing about the heyday of the "big" Golden Hinds which, though looked down upon by the racing fraternity, showed a considerable turn of speed off the wind, with the full height mast. Whilst the Eventide was a forebear, the GRP Golden Hinds were a far cry from the originals and seem to have survived as treasured relics of the golden age of British sailing.
I started sailing about the heyday of the "big" Golden Hinds which, though looked down upon by the racing fraternity, showed a considerable turn of speed off the wind, with the full height mast. Whilst the Eventide was a forebear, the GRP Golden Hinds were a far cry from the originals and seem to have survived as treasured relics of the golden age of British sailing.
PlankWalker
Well-Known Member
I owned an early wooden one for 10 years and she taught me all the basics of cruising, for which I will always be grateful.
In the end the relentless maintenance wore me down and she was the last wooden boat I owned.
I sold her for more than twice what I paid for her which you cant do these days.
So unless you are a wooden boat nut or have shed-loads of cash to throw away I would steer clear of 40+ year old plywood boats.
Plank
In the end the relentless maintenance wore me down and she was the last wooden boat I owned.
I sold her for more than twice what I paid for her which you cant do these days.
So unless you are a wooden boat nut or have shed-loads of cash to throw away I would steer clear of 40+ year old plywood boats.
Plank
Bazw
New Member
She has been renamed "Thane of Lochaber" and is currently for sale at port edgar marina, Scotland. At a glance she looks to be well maintained. Photo of the builders plate in the brokerage listing shows hull no 31.
JimHaynes
New Member
If it shows hull #31, then I don't think it was my GH 31, which was sail number #183. I am assuming that the hull number is the same as the sail number.
Jim Haynes, Richmond, Texas, USA
Bazw
New Member
Sorry, I miss-read your original post. Sorry for any confusion. Baz
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Yes, hull numbers and sail numbers are the same. Hull 31 would have been a plywood Hartwells boat.
dimdav
Well-Known Member
Its def GRP and def Erskine so perhaps number 31 of the ones they made. Sail number however is 188. Listing and photos of builders plate below
http://www.bosuns.co.uk/BLBR0148-Golden-Hind-31
Tranona
Well-Known Member
The 31 just refers to the model - not the hull number.
Hial
Well-Known Member
"Thane of Lochaber" is a plywood boat sheathed with grp whereas "Halekai" is grp only.
I last saw "Halekai" on the Caledonian canal near Inverness about 3 years ago.
I last saw "Halekai" on the Caledonian canal near Inverness about 3 years ago.
dimdav
Well-Known Member
So going by the sail numbers, Erskines made all GRP then switched back to ply. I wonder if it was an option for prospective owners to specify the build materials?
Tranona
Well-Known Member
No. Once he made the mould in around 1975 all the subsequent boats were GRP with a wooden superstructure, epoxy coated. Most of the ply boats were built by Hartwells who Terry worked for. Thinking about it, not sure that the sail numbers do necessarily tie in with hulls built as the total GH 31s built by all builders were less than 200, the last one being built by Mark Urry and finished about 10 years ago.
dimdav
Well-Known Member
That makes perfect sense. If you've seen the brokers picture of the builders plate on thane of lochaber its definitely Terry Erskine Yachts Plymouth build date 1978 and sail number 188. The sail number would tie in with Jim Haynes date for the build of his 183.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Yes, I saw the plate. Exactly the same type of plate that Hartwells used - I have one on my Eventide 26. Terry just changed the name! Probably done by a back street trophy engraver in Plymouth.
There is a good history of GH's on the eventide.org website
There is a good history of GH's on the eventide.org website
madtam
Well-Known Member
Resurrecting an old thread again !
There seem to have been just over 250 Golden Hinds built, with the last ones only completed in the last couple of years.
I have come across these as possible options for short/singlehanded long distance cruising vessels. A couple of the newest built ones are for sale at the moment although they aren't exactly cheap.
There seem to have been just over 250 Golden Hinds built, with the last ones only completed in the last couple of years.
I have come across these as possible options for short/singlehanded long distance cruising vessels. A couple of the newest built ones are for sale at the moment although they aren't exactly cheap.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Those two have an interesting history. One was completed from a hull moulded in the early 1990s but lay in a field in Itchenor for many years. I looked at buying it in 2010 but bottled out having worked out the cost of completion!. Mark Urry completed the last hull that he moulded for himself and was recently for sale - not sure if he has sold it.
The prices being asked are modest in comparison with the build cost, but of course it is the market that decides the price. They are very much an acquired taste, but they are a boat that lives up to their reputation if you want a go anywhere cruiser of modest size, but equally at home creek crawling. There is an article in this month's PBO by Richard Hare on cruising the east coast in his GH (also for sale).