West Wight Potter 14

I have for sale my West Wight Potter 14 sail number D106. It has been fully restored to a high standard and there are lots of fine features and extras. The hull and top sides are in original unpainted gel coat and in great condition. The mast and spars are beautifully finished. All fittings are in good condition.There is a new rear hatch with locking hasp in a solid hardwood surround.The cabin has a nice soft EVA flooring system.
There is a bunk sliding support system, see photos. The bare glass fibre of the interior is finished with anthracite van lining felt . If it didn’t suit the new owner the sides at least could very easily be changed as it’s quite easy to do.The rear bulkhead and part of the cabin sides are lined with varnished plywood. New large hatch to forward buoyancy chamber with 30 litres water ballast in 3 plastic containers. As I am only 9.5 stone I felt I needed this when single handing the boat though it is not strictly required.
The centreboard weighs 55 lbs which provides a good righting moment. Other items include; Top quality Allen cam cleats for sail handlingNew Nasa Marine echo sounder.Inclinometer.Boarding ladder.Oars and quality chromed rowlocksSmall Danforth anchor, chain and rope.Small 12 volt battery and switch panelNew Nasa Marine depth sounderInterior lightNav lightsFull boat cover relatively new. The asking price includes a very good Suzuki 2.5hp four stroke with very low hours and in fantastic condition. Very easy to start it propels the boat at a good 5 knots and is quiet in use. Any lower offer will not include this outboard.
There is a white canvas tent which uses the oars for support. This has a canvas bag and has only been erected a couple of times to test it out. It has openings both sides and at the rear. The boat is completely dry inside and the windows do not leak. (This is a common fault with older boats and difficult to rectify.
The trailer is very sound with no rust, good wheels and tyres and I have fitted two docking arms which make the easy job of retrieval onto the trailer even easier. The main sail and genoa are old but serviceable. All running rigging is new.There is the option of buying, by separate negotiation, a brand new unused Plastimo roller reefing kit which is not yet fitted together with a brand new unused Jeckells genoa and a brand new main sail. The boat interior has been designed as an overnighter suitable ideally for one person, with a seat to one side of the centreboard, and a sleeping area to the other. I am 5’9” and there is full sitting headroom for me.
Supplies can be stored in boxes under the berth. Alternatively two berths can be arranged all as shown in the photos. There is space for a portable toilet but this is not included in the sale. The boat does need the antifouling re applying. The flat bottom has become very slightly dished over the years, only about about 20mm, but it's something I ought to mention.
I am a retired architect, I have owned a good many boats over the 45 years I have been sailing. You can rely on my descriptions. I do think this boat is as good as it looks. Why am I selling you may ask, well, it seems to be what I do, I have restored or built another boat every year or two for many years. There are many additional HD photos of the boat, see my Google photos album seen via this link https://photos.app.goo.gl/xBBCm9nXN5fSJk8E6Please note that some of the photos were taken prior to the fitting of certain items.
The West Wight Potter is a classic designed by Stanley Smith, one of few boats of this size with a cabin. He sailed one single handed from his yard on the Isle of Wight to Sweden in October. There is a great article by Tom Cunliffe, see this link https://www.sailingtoday.co.uk/magazine/tom-cunliffe-on-stanley-c-smith-and-thinking-small/ You can see a great account of his voyage here https://potter-yachters.org/stories/ssmith.html The boat is vey stable owing to the hull shape and 55kg centre board. It is recommended to keep the heel below 10 degrees, hence the inclinometer. In practice the boat rarely exceed this and is surprisingly stable.
The asking price for the boat is quite high sand for this I make no apology. Most other Potters for sale are usually in a very well used condition requiring a good deal of work. Songbird is almost as new with a wealth of expensive extras, and completely ready to go, you will not find another like her. Compared to say a new electric bike, or indeed any new sailing dinghy its a gift at this price. Offers will be considered but please, no silly ones, I am not in any particular hurry to sell.
The boat can be seen on Storth, near Milnthorpe. Please ring me (Richard) if you would like any questions answered or if you would like to view, the number is phone0