Hurley Silhouette Mk Iii 17ft Bilge Keel Pocket Sailing Yacht Boat

As I now have a new boat, Spike needs a new owner. Spike is in great condition, looks great and is a hoot to sail but we have up-sized to a bigger boat. Spike can be launched from the trailer that he comes with or by crane if required. Kit includes, -2 main sail, (one tan, one white) -1 foresail (tan), -fenders, (lots) -ropes, (lots) -anchors x2, -Yamaha 4HP 2 stroke outboard in great condition -Seat cushions for interior (new last year), -Seat Cushions for cockpit (also new last year) -depth and speed display. -Boat Hook -Single Axle Trailer with Winch (all newly built when I bought her last year.

I think part of the chassis is from a caravan) -Spinnaker -12V Battery (for gauges) Additional Information from the very active and informative Silhouette owners site: The Silhouette was designed by Robert Tucker, a naval architect who loved dinghy cruising, which involved sailing by day and camping on the bank or beach by night. Mr Tucker felt that it would be a good idea to make a dinghy with a lid on it and avoid sleeping on the cold ground. He did not fancy a capsizable craft, so he set-to and designed a little cruising yacht and the Silhouette was born. In 1953 the first one was built, called "Blue Boy", for the cost of £85.; This was the Mk1 and 29 were built. With the success of "Blue Boy" Robert Tucker redesigned and built the Mk 2 and the first was named "Susanne"; she was built for just over £100 by Yarmouth Boat Builders.

In 1957 a Mk2 was put in the London Boat, Caravan and Camping Show. It was at this show George Hurley first met Robert Tucker and saw the Silhouette, Mr Hurley was showing caravans at the same show. Around the same time Ernie Miners, a carpenter who worked for George Hurley, asked permission from George to build himself a 'Redwing' dinghy on the premises at Richmond Walk. Seeing the dinghy being built, George decided that his factory could also build boats. In 1958 George Hurley started to build Silhouette Mk2s and at the London Boat Show that year entered a Silhouette for the all-up price of £265.

Around 1830 of these ply Mk 2s were build between 1958 and 1966 when Hurley had changed over to just GRP. In 1961 experiments where made with this new material called glass fibre, this was first used for sinks for the caravans and boats, then a mould was made for a Silhouette deck fitted into a ply hull. In 1963 Hurley also started building the Mk 2 in glass fibre. About 370 of these were built between 1963 and 1967. In 1967 the Silhouette was redesigned again as the Mk3: round bottom, all GRP.

About 365 of these were built between 1967 and 1972. In 1971 the Mk 4 was designed and built at Hurley Marine between 1967 and 1972 and 25 were built. After Hurley Marine went out of business in 1974, the moulds were sold to Russell Curnow of Marazion, Cornwall and Silhouettes were built there up to 1979. R Curnow also built a Mk 5, the price in 1979 was £2413 complete. R Curnow also built the H18 after Hurley Marine.

From there the moulds for the Silhouette went to and were built by Varne Yachts who later became Weston Boats and they went out of business in 1986. Minor Point Noted recently: After the heavy rain at the beginning of June the top ply on the starboard cockpit seat has lifted at one end. It will certainly last this season, but I'd probably want to replace it for next season, for cosmetic reasons. Very simple job. Will take half a day at most using the old one to cut round.

Currently moored at Limekilns, Fife. Mooring is paid for this year and should be available for the future if you wish. This obviously needs agreement through the Forth Cruising Club. Cash on collection. Cheques will require clearance prior to taking the boat.

Viewings welcome, recommended, but will need to be by appointment. Send me a Whatapp message: phone.