Kingfisher 26

[Blue Parrot]

Hello folks,
I'm new here and would describe myself as a happy dinosaur. Sailed all my life and last year on a very limited budget bought a derelict Kingfisher 26 to replace my 113 year old 25' gaff yawl that was becoming a bit of a handful single-handed. She is No: 1 and was built in 1967 and remained in the same family till I bought her. Have tried to contact the owners association online but it is also derelict so it would be good to make contact with any other active owners of these fine little boats. Obviously most original owners have left us now and some boats have been lost or scrapped.
Including buying her, refitting and a secondhand Sea Feather vane gear I've spent less than 5k and have a little boat able to take me anywhere I may care to go, so I wasn't kidding when I said a very limited budget.

 

[Concerto]

Welcome. In my youth my parents bought a Kingfisher 30 in 1967. We visited the factory several times and met Mr Nierop, first in late 1966. On our first visit we went aboard a Kingfisher 30 tied up to Poole Quay. Some of the data online is incorrect and show the first boat was Lesmar II. This was my parents boat and was definitely not the first boat of the class. Attached is photo showing the Lloyd's Register of Shipping volume for yachts 1970 that shows when it was built. At Westfield Construction they had been building the Kingfisher 22 for several years and whilst our boat was being built, the first Kingfisher 26 was being built - so I am certain I saw it on one of many visits to the factory. We sold Lesmar II in 1969, hence why my parents are no longer shown as the owners in Lloyd's.



Several years ago I was told Lesmar II is in South Wales and still sailing.

Sorry I cannot be more helpful but thought you may find the information interesting.