Classic spotted

[Seajet]

I was at a club in Chichester Harbour the other day and spotted a newcomer on a trailer, a rather lovely 25' ish long overhang part decked ' gentleman's boat ' a la a bit like a cross between an X-Boat & Sunbeam; she apparently has a large gaff rig and just a heavy centreplate working through a long keel.

Also an outboard well which obviously can't be original but looked as if it was, so well done.

Apparently teak on pine, built one-off on the East Coast circa 1900, the owner has loads of her history.

She seemed in pretty good condition, needs some minor TLC but good as they go as far as I could see.

The owner says he has lost motivation, I told him to mention her on here so I hope he does; might suit someone very well.

 

[ianc1200]

Andy, you can't do that, it's cruel; where's the photo's?!!

 

[Seajet]

Hi Ian,

well the owner was taking pics when I was there, so I didn't want to spoil his mention, as he seemed to take my suggestion to post here seriously.

I don't know him but he seems a thoroughly decent chap, more worried about the boat going to a good home than dosh.

One thing which tickled me was, the boat is called ' Astra ' and he has a tender called ' Nomical '; Astra Nomical !

In fact compared to most wooden classics she seemed a relatively moderate proposition to me - looked like a simple scrape of things like coamings & varnish and she'd be away, but the owner mentioned he'd like to do a deep refit to put right a previous owner's efforts.

If he doesn't post on here soon I'll leave a note on the boat asking for details & pics ( can't take my own as she is under a cover, on her mooring she has an auto bilge pump ).

Andy

 

[Marakei]

Astra now on Preloved with pics:

http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/114271003/classic-dayboat-astra.html

 

[Seajet]

Thanks Merry Girl !

I met the owner while he was taking those pics, he seems a very decent guy who genuinely just wants what is best for the boat; at that price she must be a steal for someone with the ability to give her some TLC .

 

[Keith 66]

An interesting boat, i wouldnt be surprised if she was rather older than 1930's, i recall a very very similar boat that i nearly bought at Maldon about 25 years ago, she was called Mist & was a half rater built by Heywoods of southend in 1880, I saw her still in commission in north devon a couple of years ago, think it was minehead harbour. Both looked as if there counters have been shortened a bit over the years!

 

[Seajet]

The owner told me she is circa 1900.

I can vouch for her condition, seemed very up-together, then I like restoring and keeping things like old cars !

From a quick look over and chat, Astra seems a lovely boat to me; maybe a bit lacking in design buoyancy forward, and a purist would take the interior to bits and re-assemble - as the owner was first to mention, but that is all easy cheap stuff by ' classic traditonal ' standards...

When I and a chum who is not that experienced visited the club the other day he exclaimed " Corr, that's a lovely old boat " even though she was mostly hidden under a big cover !

I for one would absolutely love sailing on Astra, and I have no connection with her owner.

 

[KristiferColumbus]

I like the idea of a bit of tender loving care

I had a very similar boat, a 1937 Westmercot/Woodnut sloop & it nearly killed me.

That's why I now have a fibreglass one :encouragement:

 

[Seajet]

Anyone who has a wooden classic called ' Astra ' then calls the tender ' Nomical ' is alright by me ! :encouragement: