Newbridge Pioneer Pilot Elite, Liveaboard?

Voorlooper, six berth Newbridge Pioneer Pilot Elite berthed in Lowestoft. General SpecificationBuilt by Newbridge Boats to a Bill Dixon design she was delivered by sea to her first owner in October 1987. She is sail number 40 of about 50 built in total. She was constucted to her builder’s Elite specification and fitted with the larger of the two engine options. Last out of the water, anodes changed and antifouled at the end of April 2022.
ConstructionAll GRP with stainless steel stanchions & guardwires.Aluminium mast with in-mast roller reefing. Aluminium boom.Bilge keel and skeg underwater profile. Skeg hung rudder (new skeg to rudder shoe & pivot 2022). Cast iron keels.Steering either from wheel at the internal helm/nav station or tiller in the cockpit.Length 25’10” (7.9 metres)Beam 9’0” (2.74 metres)Draft 3”0” (0.9 metres)Displacement 2670kgBallast 1205kg Rigging & SailsStainless steel standing riggingPolyester running rigging, most renewed 2022.Rockall bermudan mainsail in fair condition, rolled in/out from behind the mast.Rockall genoa in fair condition on Rotostay roller reefing (new upper swivel 2022). UV strip.Winch for mainsail outhaul & inhaul lines.2 x Antal self tailing winches for genoa sheets.All lines lead back to cockpit.
Mechanical & ElectricalEngine is a reliable 18hp Volvo 2002 series two cylinder diesel, raw water cooled.Shaft drive to rope cutter and 3 bladed propeller.maneCraft no maintenance shaft seal.Last service May 2021 and has run approx 28 hours since.Stainless steel 58 litre fuel tank with deck filler and dipstick.2 x rev counters, one in cockpit one at internal helm position.Engine controls in both cockpit and internal helm.2 batteries (60 & 100ah) and battery isolator/selector switch.Batteries charged by alternator or 20 watt solar panel and controller (2022) or 4 amp mains charger (2022).Renogy battery monitor with shunt (2022).Wired for mains with 2 x double sockets in cabin. Mains cable. AccommodationDouble vee berth at bow. Hatch to coachroof. Access to anchor locker.Double berth and bench seat in central section.Double berth in aft cabin on port side.All berth upholstery renewed in 2021.Internal helm seat and navigation table on port side.Galley and separate heads on starboard side.Both heads and aft cabin have folding doors for privacy.Galley has Nelson 2 ring, grill and oven gas cooker.
Ice chest with drain. Stainless steel sink with pumped (12v) cold water supply.Heads has Jabsco marine toilet and sink with pumped (12v) cold water supply.Cabin table fully adjustable in height.Curtains for all windows.Crockery and cutlery for four persons.12 volt lighting to all areas plus 3 mains powered lights. Navigation2 x steering compass, one in cockpit, one at internal helm position.Autohelm electronic handbearing compass.Autohelm ST2000 tiller pilot with remote control.Autohelm ST50 depth sounder with weather cover.Autohelm ST50 wind instrument with weather cover.Autohelm ST50 depth & wind repeater at internal helm position.10” Android tablet with Navionics charting at internal helm.Standard Horizon 5” chartplotter with CMap charting in cockpit. Weather cover.Standard Horizon fixed DSC vhf set at internal helm.Standard Horizon remote DSC vhf handheld, plugs into cockpit socket.V-tronics vhf aerial & hawk (new 2022) at masthead.Nasa combi tricolour & anchor led light (new 2022) at masthead.Bicolour led nav light (new 2022) on pulpit. SafetyFirdell Blipper radar reflectorJotron 121.5 Mhz emergency transmitter probably needing a new battery.2 x fire extinguishers which probably need replacing.Lifebuoy.
DeckAnchor locker with 7.5kg Claw type anchor connected via swivel (new 2022) to 25 metres of 8mm chain. All excellent condition.SL vertical axis manual anchor winch.Kedge anchor, 10lb Plough type to short length of 8mm chain + warp.Manual bilge pump.Sprayhood, elderly but waterproof and Still Standin’ in an Elton John sort of way.Spray dodgers with boat name, not currently fitted.Many ropes, 8 fenders. Fore, aft and centre cleats.Boathook, mooring aid, red ensign, bucket, brush etc.2 x Calor gas cylinders in self draining cockpit locker. Other2 x cockpit cushionsOverboom cockpit tent (looks unused) with zipped access panel and window. RemarksI bought Voorlooper early in 2022 for my ‘swansong East Coast cruise’.
This successfully accomplished I've now joined the Old Bloke Pottering on a Boat going Nowhere club. Voorlooper is in far too good an order for me to have much to potter on (or butcher), thus this sale. I am the boat's fifth owner. Under the reign of the first three she was Part 1 registered but the 4th did not renew it. I have a copy of her original Newbridge invoice showing her spec and the fact that she was delivered by sea in late 1987 and that vat was paid.
There are more images on topsaildotcodotuk. The mooring at Lowestoft may be available, subject to management approval. It’s a finger pontoon with water and mains electric, paid for monthly by SO as is the norm around here. There are a number of liveaboards on these moorings, it's a nice community. Voorlooper - Dutch for pioneer or scout.