Hillyard 5 Ton Classic

[Snowgoose-1]

Any romantic thalassophiles about ?

Pardon our interruption...

 

[DoubleEnder]

Cheap boats are often very expensive. But I guess there is a limited and shrinking market for old wooden boats even if they are of a desirable type and in good condition. Don’t know how desirable the little Hillyards are…… to me it isn’t the most alluring style, but beauty is of course in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Stemar]

Apart from a slight ingress of water, starboard side-deck mid ships, this is a dry boat.
The above has caused paint to peel on the underside and will need attention.

An optimist writes...
No problem. A bit of sealant and a lick of paint and she'll be fine

A pessimist writes...
I wonder how far the rot has spread? Probably end up being nearly as big a job as Magic Carpet II

I always liked the definition of a pessimist as an optimist in full possession of the facts.

All the same, if I didn't have far more sense than to buy a wooden boat without a major lottery win, I could definitely be tempted to have a look. I always like Hillyards, even if what they say about them is true - you'll never drown, but you might starve to death

 

[Wansworth]

Th

Apart from a slight ingress of water, starboard side-deck mid ships, this is a dry boat.
The above has caused paint to peel on the underside and will need attention.

An optimist writes...
No problem. A bit of sealant and a lick of paint and she'll be fine

A pessimist writes...
I wonder how far the rot has spread? Probably end up being nearly as big a job as Magic Carpet II

I always liked the definition of a pessimist as an optimist in full possession of the facts.

All the same, if I didn't have far more sense than to buy a wooden boat without a major lottery win, I could definitely be tempted to have a look. I always like Hillyards, even if what they say about them is true - you'll never drown, but you might starve to death

at may be true of the 9tonners but hillyard built some good ocean crossing yachts…..here a little 2.5 tonner

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Th

at may be true of the 9tonners but hillyard built some good ocean crossing yachts…..here a little 2.5 tonner

Was it true that Hillyards would only build you a boat if they liked the look of you.

Personally, I would love to own a boat like that. Time and expertise in maintenance lets me down though.

I expect it's a lot easier going from one wooden boat to another. Going from GRP to wood more daunting . Although Tranona has made a lovely job of his Golden Hind.

 

[Wansworth]

Was it true that Hillyards would only build you a boat if they liked the look of you.

Personally, I would love to own a boat like that. Time and expertise in maintenance lets me down though.

I expect it's a lot easier going from one wooden boat to another. Going from GRP to wood more daunting . Although Tranona has made a lovely job of his Golden Hind.

You had to have the standard color…white although when I worked there a dark blue one was allowed,but that was under the management of his nephew Dennis Culingford…..everything was standard to keep the cost. down in the later craft and only three patterns were used for the planking

 

[WoodyP]

That's not a lot of money for a lovely old boat . Yes, you can spend a lot of time and money to get her up to modern standards but look at the price of a new boat, and she's value.

 

[Mark-1]

Love Hilliards and want them to be around, but I prefer other people to do the "owning".

A bit like Douglas Adam's Electric Monk.

There seem to be a large number of them still around, or maybe I just notice them more.

 

[Wansworth]

Love Hilliards and want them to be around, but I prefer other people to do the "owning".

A bit like Douglas Adam's Electric Monk.

There seem to be a large number of them still around, or maybe I just notice them more.

In total there were over 700 built and I think the owners association is still active

 

[Stemar]

Love Hilliards and want them to be around, but I prefer other people to do the "owning".

Big +1

I always say that my love for classic wooden boats is second only to my determination not to own one until I'm rich enough to tell my man to take care of that bit of varnish

 

[Wansworth]

Back in 1969 when I worked in the yard and building and refitting was still active some of the Hillyards had lockers ashore and the whole business of laying up was a wooden boat was time consuming with the interiors like cushion Etel brought ashore,sails dried and folded and in the store along with cordage.Then the masts were unstepped and put in the mast rack then the yard launch towed the yacht into a mud berth where the all over winter cover was put on.And of course the Springrefit was the reverse although by 1969 some owners were doing a spot of varnishing….thats when you met the retired brigadiers with their cavalry twill trousers held up with the old school tie……eking out the pension

 

[Stemar]

the yard launch towed the yacht into a mud bert

Best place for a wooden boat - AIUI, drying out over winter is one of the worst things you can do to one.

 

[PhillM]

Mahogony .. Cavel .... I had one of those, some here may remember. Borght in 2012 for £3K. Spent £30K on parts and some professional expertise to get her to a high standard. Sailed for 10 years (with annual maintainence) and sold in 2021 for £3K. Yes, I loved my little Paean and yes I learned a lot about boat maintaince and yes, I really did enjoy it. But I don't think I shall ever own a wooden boat again, not unless I won the lotery and then I'd still likley not because I would be too busy sailing around the world!

 

[WFA]

Been doing that for the last 20+ years and could do with a Brigadier's pension!

 

[WFA]

Back in 1969 when I worked in the yard and building and refitting was still active some of the Hillyards had lockers ashore and the whole business of laying up was a wooden boat was time consuming with the interiors like cushion Etel brought ashore,sails dried and folded and in the store along with cordage.Then the masts were unstepped and put in the mast rack then the yard launch towed the yacht into a mud berth where the all over winter cover was put on.And of course the Springrefit was the reverse although by 1969 some owners were doing a spot of varnishing….thats when you met the retired brigadiers with their cavalry twill trousers held up with the old school tie……eking out the pension

Been doing that for the last 20+ years and could do with a Brigadier's pension!

 

[Wansworth]

Been doing that for the last 20+ years and could do with a Brigadier's pension!

 

[Wansworth]

Mahogony .. Cavel .... I had one of those, some here may remember. Borght in 2012 for £3K. Spent £30K on parts and some professional expertise to get her to a high standard. Sailed for 10 years (with annual maintainence) and sold in 2021 for £3K. Yes, I loved my little Paean and yes I learned a lot about boat maintaince and yes, I really did enjoy it. But I don't think I shall ever own a wooden boat again, not unless I won the lotery and then I'd still likley not because I would be too busy sailing around the world!

The little Mashford 4tonner I bought and fixed up in 1977/8 apparently still sailing in the med sans her sweet Stuart Turner indBoard……replaced by awful outboard on a canoe stern……did your rebuild include gold keel bolts?

 

[38mess]

I would love to have that boat, I can almost smell the interior from the pictures, but... having owned a wooden boat a long time ago I discovered I had neither the skills or the money to keep it in the condition it deserved.
I guess the engine alone must be worth the asking price.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

I would love to have that boat, I can almost smell the interior from the pictures, but... having owned a wooden boat a long time ago I discovered I had neither the skills or the money to keep it in the condition it deserved.
I guess the engine alone must be worth the asking price.

Also Blakes toilet and Origo hob.
When I look at boats like this , I picture a gent helming wearing a Trilby with collar and tie. With no engine, they must have had working hours written into their work contract. E.g During the summer , on Friday's, work hours dependent on HW time at Harwich. Monday's, working hours dependent on forecasted winds being accurate

 

[38mess]

Also Blakes toilet and Origo hob.
When I look at boats like this , I picture a gent helming wearing a Trilby with collar and tie. With no engine, they must have had working hours written into their work contract. E.g During the summer , on Friday's, work hours dependent on HW time at Harwich. Monday's, working hours dependent on forecasted winds being accurate

Yes indeed, if the toilet is good it could be worth more than the boat.