Classic Wooden 18' Boat Project

Project Classic, East Coast two & a half ton 18' Gaff Cutter. 'Lucinda'. Mahoghany on Oak. Built by Johnson Sons & Jago. Leigh on Sea. Essex 1954.

Has beeen in dry storage for 40 years. Was told since '70s. Some photos taken are wide angle have appeared slightly distorted, shows boat to be narrower than really is. Removed from storage for photos about a month ago. Removed from trailer & returned into the dry same day, where she is now on cradle perched on 2 long sleepers.

Aft end sleepers blocked up & raised ready to winch on to trailer. Very pretty long keel boat, notice the planking worked & formed to make quite 'Ark' shaped hull with a surprising amout of room inside for an 18' boat. Wide beam some 6' at midships. Have read these were really strongly built in the '50s in order to withstand hitting sandbanks in the East Coast in the day when made from quality material. The fitted cast iron keel almost extends the length of hull with large bolts attaching to large supporting timbers inside.

Have the original Mast Gaff Spar & Bowsprite, Rudder, Tiller, Brass Portholes all in good condition. There are quite a lot of original fittings & equipment on board including Chain plates, original Anchor, Bilge pump, Forehatch & 3 name plates. No Sails or engine. Its on its own heavy steel, cast wheeled Cradle about 8'x6', though the wood frame supporting it could do with improvement. We moved easily some 10 miles winched on & strapped down to a 14' flat bed trailer.

Mast is long some 30' long newly varnished together with the other spars. I bought her last year & had transported as were looking for a donor hull with a view to making a permanent 'garden camping pod' that would have involved cutting an entrance hole in the side. I cannot bring myself to do it to this boat due to historic value & being 'too good' & in overall restorable condition, hence decision to sell on. Have other projects & could do with the covered space. The decks have been professionally resin sheathed in woven cloth.

There are areas of past wood repair work noticeable to top sides around chain plates & keel supports inside that has been carried out to the highest standard. The Hull planking is 3/4" highest quality Mahoghany & is in good condition for age. Though the original Oak timbers appear in fairly good order the copper rove & nail fasteners would require replacing. Some wood repair & double up timbers, caulking etc if plan to put back in water. Would require person with wooden boat restoration skills.

Buyer to make own transport arrangements though will help load. Cleared cheque or cash on collection only pls. May be seen nr Woodbridge Suffolk during listing. Pls email.