1924 Ernest Collins River Cruiser Yacht

• Wood carvel construction
• Pitch pine on oak
• Pitch pine decks and cabin roof with epoxy boarded covering
• 33 ribs.and ~40ft of planking 2000
• Interior completely re-fitted 2000
• Odd planks renewed as required 2001-2014
• 3 floors and a frame replaced/improved and 6 new planks 2015-2020
• Structure is currently understood to be fully up to standard
• Antifouled, hull repainted and rubbers, rails, spars, floorboards and hatch covers re-varnished every year, along with other cosmetic work on rolling schedule
• Majority of interior re-varnished 2019
• Cabin sides re-varnished and decks repainted 2020
• Winter 2020/21 maintenance completed March 2021
• Wintered ashore under cover and meticulously maintained annually
• Last surveyed 1999

• 6hp Tohatsu four stroke long shaft saildrive outboard (2006, fully maintained to manufacturer’s instructions) with high thrust prop and battery charging
• Remote fuel tank and hose
• Remote controls (rudimentary but very effective)
• 12V battery (under guarantee until 2022)
• Fuse pane
• Wiring installed and commissioned for solar panel, with controller (solar panel not included)
• 2 x USB charging points and additional lighter socket

• Gaff rig with integral topsail
• Mast, boom, gaff, topspar, bowsprit, sails, stainless standing rigging, running rigging and stainless mast/spar hardware all new 2012 at total cost of ~£15,000
• Hollow mast in Douglas fir (by Collars of Oxford)
• Douglas fir bowsprit and jib boom
• Carbon fibre topmast (2018) and gaff
• Aluminium boom
• 2 x Lewmar 30 self-tailing jib winches
• Lewmar 16 sail trimming winch
• 2 x winch handles
• All running rigging led back to cockpit except jib halyard
• Mainsail & integral topsail (McNamara Sails, 827 sq.ft)
• Working jib (McNamara Sails)
• Genoa (McNamara Sails)
• Storm jib (Saturn Sails, recut by McNamara Sails 2012)
• McNamara sails all new 2012 in 17oz cloth (for longevity) and in very good condition/shape
• 2 stage slab reefing system
• Wykeham Martin furling gear
• Previous rig (~1,000 sq.ft) with mast, sails, spars, boom and much of the running rigging available at no extra cost if desired
• Four times Yare Navigation Race winner, Cock ‘O’ The Broads winner, and many more racing accolades
• Current RCC handicap scratch (0%)

• 5 berths in 2 cabins
• 2 x single berths in forecabin
• 2 x single berths in main cabin, one of which converts to double
• Half-bulkheads between cabins
• Berth cushions in good condition
• Galley with LP Voyager 2500 gas cooker (2 burners, grill with pan & oven
• Heads compartment with Jabsco baby sea toilet (no holding tank) with pull-out wash basin above
• Butane gas system with 4.5kg bottle (not full) and regulator in fibreglass locker in foredeck
• LED cabin lights
• Pair solid brass oil lamps on gimbals
• Cabin mirror
• Teak toothbrush rack
• Custom made teak toilet and kitchen roll holders
• Curtains and rods / stretchers
• New tube of metal polish!

• Acrylic canvas awning (with stays), over-cover and sail cover
• Acrylic canvas companionway cover, soft cabin door, cabin tidy, 2 x halyard bags, 2 x winch handle holders, 2 x trotter box screens
• Varnished cabin doors (not currently in use)
• High and low mast crutches
• Boat Safety Scheme certificate to April 2025
• 12V bilge pump on float switch
• Navigation lights
• Barometer and clock
• 22kg mudweight with line
• 2 x rhond anchors
• 3 x long mooring warps with clips
• 4 x long fenders
• Racing prize plaques!
• Collection of digital and hard copy documents, including: many old photographs, current and previous sail plans, Lloyds Register of Yachts entries, keel and rudder designs, newspaper articles, project documents for the current rig, several articles about her, written for the Cruiser Class magazine, and much more

Owned by the current family for in excess of 20 years, this beautiful, and very well known, traditional River Cruiser Class Broads yacht is now offered for sale as the owners have taken the incredibly hard decision to down-size. With an enviable racing record, she is equally well suited to family cruising. A much loved and truly versatile Broads yacht that will without doubt bring huge amounts of pleasure to her new owner.

MOORING: Subject to negotiation, a mooring buoy on Barton Broad could be available to the purchaser for at least part of the 2021 season.

Owner’s Remarks

A much-loved classic in lovely condition and a real head-turner. She is exciting to sail, with an enviable racing record. Yet she is equally suited to cruising 2-up, with comfortable accommodation and all sail and engine controls accessible from the cockpit.

Without exception, the many, many people who’ve taken her helm have been astonished at how responsive, balanced and well-behaved she is. She rewards you with an exciting sail in almost all but the quietest conditions. She can be sailed comfortably with 2 crew, with the mainsheet taken forwards to the cockpit. To race, she ideally needs 4 crew to get the best out of her and sail to her handicap, all of them having plenty to keep them occupied! In this respect, she’s a great team boat.
All the sail controls are routed to the cockpit, especially important when sailing 2 up – there is no need for anyone to leave the cockpit when under sail.

The spacious well and cabin provide plenty of room, not just for day-to-day use, but partying! Her hospitality record was set at her first regatta with us – cooking for, and feeding, 15 people – under cover! In better weather, the large aft deck and well provide plenty of outdoor space for socialising. The gooseneck is extended, allowing it to be raised before fitting the awning, giving 6ft headroom under the sail. When we fitted her out 20+ years ago, a double bunk was high on the list of priorities. This was achieved with a pull-out on the starboard side, leaving a walkway past it. The extra cushion makes a fine backrest during the day and provides stowage for bedding behind. The electrical system provides the convenience of LED cabin lighting, although the oil lamps still add ambience (and some heat in colder weather!). The USB charging points are very convenient indeed and the solar controller lets you know the battery state. The cooker is very efficient and, on multiple occasions, has cooked for groups of 10+.

To any potential buyer who feels the rigging is too complicated, about half of it can quickly and easily be dispensed with if the booming out gear is
removed. It could be argued it’s there to maintain her original equipment. Or to gain an advantage while racing. In truth, it’s main purpose is to give all crew plenty of toys to play with if we’re racing 4 up!