1975 Kent Class Sailing Cruiser

CONSTRUCTION: GRP with wooden superstructure

YEAR: 1975

DIMENSIONS: LOA 27′ 0″ (8.2m), BEAM 8′ 6″ (2.6m), DRAFT 3′ 7″ (1.1m)

KEEL TYPE: Long shallow fin

COLOUR: Dark blue with white boot line, red antifouling and varnished woodwork

INTERIOR: 4 berths, galley and heads

ENGINE: Volvo Penta MD5A 6.5 hp diesel

RIG TYPE: Bermudan Sloop

SPARS: Alloy with I-frame mast-lowering

SAILS: Slab and roller reefed main, roller reefed headsail and storm jib – all tan

EQUIPMENT: Internal: The boat has a really good cockpit with seating all round and lockers beneath (also below cockpit sole). The vessel’s vented gas locker, recently brought up to new safety standards, is located under the starboard seating. Access to the interior of the boat is via the companionway which has a single door and sliding hatch. To starboard inside, there is a hanging locker and the galley, whilst to port there is a dinette (converts to a double berth), plus cupboards and lockers. The galley has worktops, a sink unit with manually pumped cold water, a Flavel Vanessa cooker and various cupboards. Opposite, the dinette area has storage under one of the seats and under the side decks, and engine access under the other seat. Going forward, there is an electrically powered cold box/fridge and hanging locker to starboard, opposite which is the heads. This has a sea-toilet (newly installed 2000) and hand basin. In the bow there are two full-length single berths, both with storage under. Headroom, at 5′ 10″, is good, with a particular bonus being that – unlike many Broads craft – the roof, even with this excellent headroom, is fixed, thus obviating the need to haul the roof up and down when mooring. The boat has navigation lights and is equipped with 2 fire extinguishers, a fire blanket and a smoke detector. She comes complete with the usual Broads gear including mast lowering, mudweight, rhond anchors, ropes and fenders. External: The boat has wide, non-slip decks and is fitted with a stainless steel pulpit rail. She has an over-boom cockpit tent.

REMARKS: It is understood the boat had her propeller shaft, cutlass bearings and universal joints replaced last year. She also had the woodwork of the cockpit seats and lockers renovated. Built on the North Norfolk coast, this vessel would be equally at home for inland or estuarial sailing.

OUR OPINION: A very comfortable boat, and moreover one that appears to be in excellent condition.