HISTORY & DESCRIPTION:
The legendary David Hillyard needs little introduction as one of the most successful wooden boat-builders of the twentieth century, producing a staggering eight hundred boats from two-half tonners to large ocean-going schooners. The yard on the River Arun in Littlehampton, established in the 1920s is recognised for producing traditional, well-built family cruising yachts for a reasonable price.
The popular standard Four-Tonners were built in reasonable numbers from the 1930s until the 1960s and mostly feature an aft cockpit and transom stern. The design offers accommodation for two/four with weatherly sailing performance and classic styling.
During the 1950s PUFFIN was owned by Jocelyn Greenway who wrote about her family’s holidays in the many of these accounts were published at the time with sketches and photographs by her husband, Robert. Cathy Woodhead, their daughter, has put the writings about the family trips in their 22-ft sailing adventures into a book called Puffin’s Log. The book is illustrated throughout with Robert’s sketches, photographs and maps. Puffin was moored in Poole Harbour and from here the family with their three children went on various voyages to France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The family sold PUFFIN in 1958. After a nationwide search, Cathy was finally reunited with the yacht in February 2009 at the Underfall Yard in Bristol with the current owner.
Professional re-fit at the Underfall Yard, Bristol included a new stem and apron, replacement of about half steamed timbers, approx 12 hull planks, new fore-deck section, new cabin coaming corners and front and re-finished coachroof. Re-built cockpit, new fore and main hatches. Complete interior and exterior re-finishing. New running rigging by Traditional Rigging Services, new bumpkin.
Carvel pitch pine original strakes with replacements in larch. Oak timbers, copper fastened. Sheathed marine-ply decks.
Interior ready for a purchaser to refit to their own requirements. Some original internal joinery available.
PETTER MARINE ENGINE – for refurbishment.
Spruce mast and boom. New mainsail, jib.
INVENTORY:
Mainsail with battens and all the rigging.
Jib (from another boat of a similar size but will work as a temporary sail)
Outboard ‘Seagull Sport’ 5hp
Foam seats from another boat, all clean and good enough as mattresses.
Trimming ballast iron ingots.
Radio, ICOM float and flash, still in the box un-used plus an older model.
Depth sounder, speed and distance reader. Requires connecting.
Life jackets × 2 unused
Netting for interior fit-out.
Fenders.
Quantity of paints and oils.
Original Petter engine, raw water cooled and another air-cooled Petter available, could be used for spares.
Interior oil lamps and an original light.
Spare materials like caulk, red lead powder, copper nails.
Anchor available.
Locks, latches and other brass fittings plus all the original fixtures and fittings removed during the refit.
Quantity of ropes.
BROKERS NOTE:
A rare opportunity to purchase a professionally restored Hillyard with an interesting history.
GUIDE: Sold – February 2021
LYING: Floating Harbour, Bristol
VIEWING: Through the brokers – CLASSIC YACHT BROKERAGE
DISCLAIMER: Classic Yacht Brokerage offer the details and photographs of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information or images or warrant the condition of the vessel, machinery or rig. Buyers should instruct their representative, agents or their surveyors to investigate such details as the buyer requires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
