1948 Powles Wanderbird/Playmate River Cruiser Class

• Wood carvel construction
• Iroko on oak with copper nail fastenings
• Painted off white hull
• Varnished mahogany cabin sides, cockpit and interior
• Lifting cabin roof with large sliding roof hatch
• Balanced rudder replaced 1980s
• Epoxy sheathed 3/4in marine plywood decks replaced 1993
• 400ft iroko planking replaced 1993
• Stem repair 2010
• Keel timber and stainless steel keel bolts replaced 2011
• New port garboard strake 2019
• New replanking at port and starboard bow 2019
• Wintered ashore annually
• Professionally maintained
• Last surveyed 2017 by East Anglia Yacht Surveys

• 9hp Yanmar 1GM10 inboard diesel engine (professionally installed 1993, last serviced May 2023)
• Tiller steering
• 12V battery (2023)
• USB and lighter sockets (2021)
• 12V cabin and cockpit lights

• Gaff rig
• Varnished spruce mast (new 2008) and spars
• Mast stepped in tabernacle with lead counterweight for easy lowering/raising
• 2 x winches (mounted on coachroof)
• Stainless steel running rigging
• Running rigging in good condition with recent new mainsheet
• Mainsail (2020, Jeckells, dark tan, good condition)
• Jib (2019, Jeckells, dark tan, good/fair condition)
• Topsail (white, fair serviceable condition) with aluminium spars (little used)
• Many traditional wooden blocks (2019/20)
• RCC handicap -18p

• 4 berths in 2 cabins
• 2 x full length settee berths in main cabin (new blue berth cushions 2019)
• 2 x full length quarter berths in forward cabin (no cushions)
• Origo 3000 meths/alcohol stove (2 burners, housed in cockpit locker)
• Cabin roof centre section lifts over entire length providing approximately 6ft (1.83m) headroom
• Ample stowage space throughout with drawers under berths, cupboard unit in main cabin and hanging locker in forward cabin
• Cockpit lockers to port, starboard and under aft deck, with additional storage for sail, tools, etc. in forepeak
• Carpets and curtains where fitted
• New Thetford porta potti

• Boat Safety Scheme certificate to May 2027
• Navigation lights (port, starboard & stern)
• Rule ‘LoPro torpedo bilge pump
• Fire extinguishers and fire blanket
• All over cover
• Two part awning with boom cover (2009, Jeckells,  fully refurbished 2021, waterproofed 2021)
• Quant pole (2012)
• 2 x mast crutches (high & low)
• Mud weight
• 2 x rhond anchors
• Various warps
• Various fenders

This is a charming 25 foot gaff rigged Norfolk Broads River Cruiser Class sailing yacht, one of a small number of Wanderbird/Playmate design yachts constructed by the Jack Powles Boatyard in the 1930/40s. Originally built as a bermudan sloop, her current rig was drawn up by Andrew Wolstenholme in the early 80s and designed to make a fast cruiser/racer. A new balanced rudder was also fitted at the same time and her original inboard engine removed, enabling her to sail to a handicap of about 14 at that time.

Purchased by the current owner in 2022, she has been well looked after over the years and is in good overall condition with no obvious signs of rot. Recent works include newly varnished gunwales and overall paint to the hull & decks in May 2023 along with an engine service including new mounts and starter battery. A large file of paperwork is include which show old b&w photos of her in hire during the 1950’s, as well as the original design plans created by Andy Wolstenholme to change her rig in 1984.

Overall, she combines practicality with the classic beauty of a broads sailing cruiser having competed twice in the 3 Rivers Race and successfully finishing in 2023.