HISTORY & DESCRIPTION:
The legendary David Hillyard commenced boat-building with dinghies before the First World War and
later widened his sphere by turning to the smaller sizes of pocket cruisers before going on to build a whole range of auxiliary vessels including large schooners. He established a name for solid, honest boats at economical prices. His famous little two and a half tonners originally priced at £100 introduced many a novice to sailing. In the 1920’s from his River Arun boatyard in Littlehampton he built seven gaff cutters with raised topsides and shoal draught, ideal craft for exploring the creeks of the East Coast.
‘Marie Louise 11’ one of these seven gaff cutters (named ‘Marie Louise 11 ‘ as Daphne du Maurier already had a vessel called ‘Marie Louise ‘) was originally owned by Captain James Allen Dyson-Perrin of Worcester, part of the Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce family. A member of the Welsh Guards, Captain Dyson-Perrin sold ‘Marie Louise 11 ‘ at the outbreak of the Second World War to Ivan Cosby of The Strand, London. After the war Joan Wilbraham of Carrol Cobb, Dorset became the third registered owner. In 1950 J E Howells of St. Clements, Truro bought the vessel selling a few years later to Lawrence O’Toole of Portscatho, Truro. In 1960 R & J P Hollins of Palmers Green, London acquired ‘Marie Louise 11’. Charles Gautier became her next owner in the mid 1960’s and converted the sail plan to a ketch rig with a sail area of 500 sq. ft. with sails made by Ratsey. He cruised from his homeport of Chichester and continued to own the boat until the mid 1970’s. There after ‘Marie Louise 11 ‘ had various owners before being purchased on the East Coast by the present owner in 2005. A comprehensive professional re-fit began first in Southwold and later in Cornwall.
In 2005 the centre-line and long iron ballast keel were renewed at considerable cost and the decks replaced with epoxy sheathed marine-ply. A new engine was fitted in 2007 together with a new propeller and shaft. New sails in 2007 and new electronics.
Previously in 2002 the oak floors were renewed, cockpit sole, bridge deck, coamings, and mahogany internal joinery. In all the vessel has had a major re-fit and is now a very good example of her type.
Carvel pitch pine planking copper fastened to steam bent timbers. Iroko backbone. Long ballast keel, transom stern, plumb straight stem, round bilges.
Traditional accommodation in two cabins with mahogany joinery and brass fittings. Saloon with two upholstered settee berths port and starboard, lockers under and shelves above. Galley with Plastimo two burner gas cooker with oven and grill. Sink with fresh and sea water pumps. Chart table with Raymarine GPS Chartplotter (2004) Raymarine ST40 depth, Raymarine ST40 speed/log, Raymarine ST2000 Autohelm.
Athwartships bulkhead with access to heads compartment with Blake Marine wc, new 2004. Fore-cabin with double berth, chain locker and forehatch.
Solid spruce main mast, boom and gaff. Stainless steel standing rigging. Roller reefing jib and staysail. Slab reefing main. Patrick Selman sails new in 2007, Dacron main, genoa, staysail.
Yanmar 30hp 3YM30 diesel engine fitted new in 2007 only about 100 hours. Two 12 volt batteries. 12 gallon fuel capacity.
Inventory:
Simpson Lawrence manual windlass, CQR anchor with 40 metres chain. Various warps and fenders, sail cover, cockpit cover, boarding ladder, boathook, jackstays, electric and manual bilge pumps, radar reflector, fog horn.
‘Marie Louise 11’ is an attractive traditional Gaff Cutter, a real head turner and full of character, offered in good order having had well in excess of the guide price spent on a professional refit and new gear. An ideal yacht for pottering around the tidal rivers and creeks or coastal passages along the beautiful Cornish Coast. Some re-painting and varnishing required prior to re-commissioning.
Guide: £12,500
Viewing: By prior appointment Tel: 01905-356482
Lying: Ashore Cornwall
