1959 Classic cutter - R130 000 in Knysna, Western Cape for sale
YACHT GOLDEN GAIN
Golden Gain was commissioned by the Commodore of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club to be built by the Wing on Shing Shipyard, Hong Kong, a highly respected yard responsible for the construction of a number of Lloyds registered yachts.
Carvel planked in Burma teak on yaccal frames to Lloyds' scantlings, she was launched in 1959.
Designed by Jack Laurent Giles (see "An Evolution of Yacht Design;Laurent Giles") as a motorsailer with a dipping-lugsail ketch rig, this was later modified to a cutter. Recently I added a substantial bowsprit to improve her sailing performance still further.
In the late 60's she went to Praslin, in the Seychelles, where she was used to visit Mahe and other islands in the group, and for fishing trips. It was here in the 70's that her rig was altered and her doghouse roof lowered to reduce windage. Her wheel steering was removed and replaced by a tiller. The original BMC Commodore diesel was replaced by a 3-cylinder Volvo.
Some time in the 80's she was sailed to S Africa and bought by a resident of Knysna, from whom I purchased her in 1991 with the aim of completely restoring her and, ultimately, circumnavigating.
There remains finishing off to do on some internal woodwork (I was about to install a fridge in the doghouse), some plumbing and wiring, and water tanks to be decided on.
In 1993 she had a new Perkins Perama M30 diesel and gearbox professionally fitted with an Aquadrive flexible coupling to the propshaft.
New exhaust system with Vetus water trap and swan-neck
The standard Perkins alternator (50 amp) now charges the only the starter battery
High-output Balmar marine alternator (140 amp) charges the 200 a/hrs deep-cycle house bank,
both via an Adverc Smart alternator regulator
Rig;
Mast and boom are oregon pine; mast electrics all newly rewired and ready to connect
bowsprit is spruce with new stainless fittings
With exception of the 4 small lower-inner shrouds, all rigging has been replaced with new oversized stainless.
Winches are original bronze, all recently stripped and serviced
Sails;
Genoa and main are tan, both good condition; boom roller-reefing
spinnaker, 3 smaller headsails (1 Yankee-cut), old but servicable
Tankage
New mild steel fuel tanks, 70 l header gravity feed to engine and 170 l main tank (latter not connected yet)
No water tanks, type and location to be decided
Layout
Doghouse with seating, makes 1 full and 1 child berth
steps down to galley, navigation area and saloon, full standing headroom (6ft plus). 2 settee berths (the portside one converts to a double berth; chart-table with pilot berth under. Forward through double doors (Burma teak) to forepeak; head compartment with washbasin, lockers and anchor/sail stowage . Woodwork throughout is all original teak joinery with brass fittings.
Hull
Slipped in November 2010, and the hull, which is in excellent condition, stripped back to bare teak, re-faired, repainted and antifouled by Sea Services of Knysna.
Slipped again Jan 2012, antifouled, new anode, painted top sides, new prop, hull sound.
Equipment
2 burner stove with oven in galley
Stainless steel sink; water by footpump
PAR sea toilet; original washbasin in the head, water by footpump
Depthsounder
Belcom VHF
Ship's bell
Tricolour
Emergency mast-head strobe light
Steaming light
Firdell Blipper radar reflector
Henderson bilge pump
Rule electric bilge pump with float switch
Aerogen-2 wind generator with regulator
Boathooks
Danbuoy
Gas bottles, 2
Bower anchor, CQR-type, 35 lb
30 metres 3/8 galvanised chain
Delta-type 28 lb 2nd anchor
Kedge anchor, 25 lb Danforth-type
Various sheets, warps and fenders
References;
1. "Laurent Giles: An Evolution of Yacht Design", by A Lee and R Philpot, publ. Nautical Books pages 119, 120 for full description and drawings
2. "Motor Yacht and Boat Design", by D Philips-Burt pp 31, 32 refs to seaworthiness
