Prima Ballerina by Robert Tucker

Judders

Judders

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My brother has fallen in love with a bilge keel one of these, and far more importantly, so has his girlfriend. They defer to me in all matters boaty but I have to confess I know next to nothing about wither the designer or the design. All help gratfully received!
 
My research thus far reaveals that he designed the Sillhouette, Corribee and Debutante so I am impressed so far. I didn't realise that Sea-Dart (Tristan Jones' vessel when he crossed South America) was one of his).
 
They are more or less scaled up versions of the Silhouette with the powder horn sheer. Fairly popular & commonly seen in the 1970/ 80s, but can't remember the last time I saw one.
Most were ply construction. If this one is, make sure it's thoroughly checked for hidden pockets of rot or delamination, especially where rainwater can lodge.
Unless it's been carefully maintained, 30 odd years is elderly for ply boats.
If it's been Cascover sheathed, that could help to extend durability but could also hide defects.
Has it been re-engined? Boats of this vintage often had small & unreliable 2 stroke inboards or outboards. Engine costs can be more than boat value.
I sailed on one many years ago, seaworthy but not great performers especially to windward.
Pretty boats though.
 
Robert Tucker was one of the most prolific and repected designers of his time. Many of his designs are still sailing although you would clearly not expect the performance of todays wonders.

He was at the forefront of design of "pocket cruisers" such as those already mentioned and also the Caprice, an early 18 foot MkI version of which (Shrimpy) was sailed around the world by Shane Acton.

Many of his early wooden designs went on to later versions in GRP which is generally why so many are still around.

His son runs Tucker Designs which is still in naval architecture and holds original drawings of at least some of his designs (I know as I've bought some in the past).
 
Ballerina was one that made the transition to GRP, like the Caprice and Silhouette. Agree entirely with the comments about Robert Tucker - I owned and sailed several of his designs, in my yoof, and found them consistently well designed sailing boats.
 
Hello!

They were built by the Penryn Boat Building & Engineering Co. of Penryn in Cornwall during the 60's ... I worked there for a while in about 1962/3. They also built the Falmouth Gypsy - 24ft by Rodney Warrington-Smyth and the Nova - a 27 footer, can't remember designer. The first 2 in ply and then GRP - I think the Nova was only GRP. Simple sailing days they were then ... I don't know how we managed without all today's gubbins. I suspect it was more fun! Did we get into more trouble? Discuss!
 
Owning a plywood Tucker designed boat I cannot recommend them highly enough - highly practical and seamanlike in their design features and genuine sea boats. Below decks everything is well thought out and they reek of traditional knowledge - beautiful.

small yachts like this are absolute classics with a very high smiles to quid spent ratios - great for coastal sailing and more fun in rivers and estuaries and harbours and marinas.
Manouverable enough and sail like a dinghy.

Great to learn on as there is no overwhelming threat of destroying £25k of boat -

cosy for couples and idea for sailing single or dual handed -

Maintenance always over estimated as the trick with plywood boats is just to keep the paint touched up -

would anticipate more fun in this boat than any other - tell him to get it !!
 
Many many years ago I was taken out several times from Ilfracombe in Balerina no 1 'Fontayne'

A wooden boat which handled the seas well. We had to stay well inshore to keep out of the current as she was more comfortable than fast.

Good boat for a couple pottering in as long as too much rot hasn't set in if it is a ply one.

Iain
 
Hello, I'm new around here and have recently bought a Robert Tucker 'Ayriel Class' 26' cold-moulded cutter. Tony Tucker, son of the late Robert Tucker, was very helpful and did the survey for me. There is some rot in one side-deck (ply) so she is currently laid up at Elephant Boatyard, Bursledon, awaiting some dry weather!
 
hi I have just finished rebuilding a ply Robert Tucker Mystic class from the mid 1960's the hull has lasted well but it is the deck that suffers from rain ingress, examine this carefully any lifting paint is a sign of some rot but repair is easy as generally can just cut back and fill with epoxy, or cut out the ply section and let in a new piece. IMHO really great boats!!
 
hello paul b sailing i have an Ayriel its been a great boat but after being trashed on the moorings its in a bad way i am possibly going to scrap her contact me if you need anything
its in Cowes
 
My apologies bumping up to the top of the forum with my very first post but there was one of these (Ballerina) for sale in Penryn, Cornwall on the Flushing side of the Penryn River not more than 6 months ago - £500 (in really very good condition too) the owner was emigrating to Australia and needed a quick sale.

Myself, I've got another Robert Tucker design, the Silhouette MkII in absolutely beautiful condition, built I believe in 1970 and moored close to Falmouth yacht marina.

A lovely little sailer, I love her to bits.

Just a quick note regarding my signature below, I've read the rules, hopefully this signature is okay - I've already included a link to the YBW Forums on my links page in advance. If inadvertently I have broken a rule, please let me know.


Mark
 
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