HISTORY & DESCRIPTION:
12 ton Thames Measurement
Centre board Gaff Cutter,
Launched 1995.
Designed & built by D. H. Grainger at Pembroke Dock
L.O.A. 30’ 4”
L.W.L. 27’ 3”
Beam 10’ 10”
Draught 3’ 10” (centre board up),
6’ 10” (centre board down)
Displacement approx 8 tons (fully laden)
Port of Registry – Milford Haven
Registered No. 711951
Register Tonnage 7.05
HULL FORM – Transom Stern, Long Keel with Centre board, Steep Deadrise, Easy Bilge, High Shoulders.
Carvel Planked, 1 1/8” Iroko Planking bronze-bolted to 3½” x 2½” Sawn Frames every 2’6”,
with 3 – 1¼” x 1” Steamed Oak Timbers copper-fastened between.
Hull Finish – Seams splined throughout, Topsides coated with Epoxy Resin, and painted.
Bottom coated with hot Pitch, Copper Sheathing bedded in hot Pitch over Tarred Paper also bedded in hot Pitch.
Stem — Laminated Oak. Hog, Wood Keel, Sternpost, Transom & Cabin Sides – Iroko.
Centreboard – Alternate 2” Logs of Jarrah and Greenheart, bronze-bolted together. Case – Galvanised Steel.
Cast Iron Keel – 3.2 tons (No inside ballast)
Main Deck – 1” Plywood, sheathed with Glass-fibre in Epoxy Resin. Deck Beams – Laminated Oak
Coachroof – ½“ (¾“ in way of hatch openings and tabernacle)
Keel Bolts – 38 – ¾” Galvanised Steel Bolts secure Ballast Keel to Hog and Floors.
Absence of engine means Bilges remain clean.
SPARS –
Mast – Solid Sitka Spruce in Tabernacle, can
be raised and lowered easily by two people with the A-frame, a tackle & her capstan.
Inside its Galvanised Steel Shoe it is steppedupon a Silver Shilling for good luck
Boom – Solid Douglas Fir
Gaff – Hollow Pine
Staysail Boom – Solid Spruce
Topsail Yard – Solid Sitka Spruce
Jackyard – Hollow Aluminium
Standing Rigging – Galvanised Steel, treated with Stockholm Tar
WORKING SAILS:
Plain (Working) Sail Area 634 sq.ft. Lowers 577 sq.ft.
Maximum Lightweather Sail Area 1,043 sq.ft
Mainsail 307 sqft – Jeckells (tan, 3 rows reef points, 8.2 oz) (2007) Good
Spare Mainsail 307 sqft – Iliffe (tan, 3 rows reef points, 10 oz) (1995) Serviceable
Staysail 120 sqft – Jeckells (tan, 1 row reef eyelets, 8.2 oz) (2007) Good
Spare Staysail 120 sqft – Iliffe (tan, 1 row reef eyelets, 10 oz (1995) Serviceable
No.1 Jib 150 sqft – Patrick Selman (tan, scotch cut, chain luff for W.M. gear) (2014) Good
No.2 Jib 120 sqft – Jon Iliffe (tan, mitre cut, chain luff for W.M. gear) (1995) Serviceable
No.3 Jib 110 sqft – Haze Sails (tan, mitre cut, chain luff for W.M. gear) (2005) Good
[All jibs have sacrificial strips on leech and foot.]
Working Topsail (jib-headed) 57 sqft – Jon Iliffe (1995) Well-worn –
LIGHTWEATHER SAILS –
Jackyard Topsail 116 sqft –
Jeckells (radial cut, 2 oz, blue, luff pocket) (2010) Good
Yankee Jib Topsail 350 sqft –
Jeckells (tri-radial cut, blue, dyneema luff rope for W.M.) (2010) Good
The Fall of the Topsail Halyard doubles as a Jackstay for the Topsail Tack and the heel of the Topsail Yard. The Topsail Sheet is led down the middle of the hollow Gaff from a special Fairlead at its peak which obviates “getting a turn of the Sheet around the end of the Gaff” and also reduces windage aloft.
GROUND TACKLE –
The Best Bower Anchor is a 35 lb Plough Anchor with 22 fathoms of 3/8” Galvanised Chain and 40 fathoms of Octoplait Warp. It self-stows in its Stemhead Roller and is secured by a Blake Slip. The Second Bower is a 35 lb ‘Brittany’ Anchor with 2 fathoms of 3/8” Chain and 100 fathoms of 2½ “ circumference Nylon Warp
The Kedge is a 12 lb ‘Bruce’ Anchor with 2 fathoms of 3/8” chain and 15 fathoms of Braided Warp.
The Anchors are handled by a Capstan with Chain Gypsy and Warping Drum. It has a Ratchet and a powerful Brake and is operated by a removable handle with variable leverage which stows in the Fore deck Box. The Best Bower’s Cable stows in the Cable Locker under the Foc’s’le berths.
DECK GEAR –
The Wykeham-Martin Gears on both the Working Jib and the Yankee Jib-Topsail are enclosed to prevent turns of the tripping line falling off the drum and fouling.
The Staysail is set on a Boom which pivots on a detachable Gooseneck on the Bitts, making the sail self-tacking. This is especially handy when beating with 1, 2 or 3 reefs in the Main and the Jib furled as, along with the double-acting Runner Lever, it enables the Helmsman to easily work the Ship to windward in heavy weather single-handed. The Staysail Sheet is double ended, having a direct pull to starboard and a 2 to 1 gun tackle on the other end for strong winds.
The rolled-up Yankee Jib-topsail, when not aloft is stowed (complete with its Wykeham-Martin Gear, tack
out-haul, halyard, and sheets attached) in a long bag, closed with Velcro, known as “The Sausage”, which is secured inside the Bulwark at the starboard bow. The sail is ready to send aloft and set very quickly.
A removeable Foredeck Box acts as a step up onto the Coachroof and is used to stow the Lead and Line, the Capstan Handle, forward Mooring Warps, Staysail Centipede and sundry lashings, etc.
Both Fore and Main Hatches have double Coamings (as recommended by Maurice Griffiths) to ensure water-tightness.
The Forehatch hinges either on the fore side or the after side to assist air-flow below as necessary. Both hinge-pins can be inserted at the same time to ensure the hatch is absolutely secure in very heavy weather. The Main Companionway has hinged, panelled doors, which in heavy weather can be backed up by strong slides.
The Centreboard is easily raised & lowered by a Lanyard belayed on the forward Cockpit Bulkhead.
The Galley Window is fitted with a clear sliding pane and a solid sliding wooden shutter.
The Steering Compass is made by Lilley & Reynolds, with a 5½” diameter card, installed in the Bridge Deck in front of the helmsman. It has a Corrector Unit below and has been swung, corrected and a Deviation Card produced.
Two bronze Barlow Sheet Winches are installed on the cockpit coamings to handle the Jib Sheets.
The Self-draining Cockpit has a Teak Grating sole.
The Locker to port holds Navigation Lamps, spare Paraffin, Buckets and Mooring Warps, etc.
The Locker to starboard holds Sails, Kedge Anchor, Cockpit Cover, Dinghy Fenders and Anchor Warps.
The After Peak provides stowage for the Fenders and houses the Paraffin Tank for the Taylors Heater in the Saloon.
The Double-acting Runner Lever in the Cockpit under the Tiller releases one Running Backstay and sets up the other in one easy movement.
Two Afterdeck Lockers act as higher seats for the helmsman, and shield two Mushroom Vents for the After Peak and the filler cap for the Paraffin Tank beneath. They are useful for stowing small items of gear “handy by”.
The Wind Vane Self-steering Gear is a ‘Neptune’ Servo Pendulum System, transom mounted and operating the tiller through a line and adjusting chain. It steers ‘Happy Quest’ well in almost all conditions, even when running before a very light wind.
The Servo Rudder quickly swings up when not in use, or the Wind Vane and/or Servo Rudder are easily removed. Alternatively
the whole gear can be unshipped and stowed below, leaving only its bracket on the transom.
The Beaching Legs are secured with special Bronze Bolts which ship into blind tapped Sockets fitted in the Topsides.
This means that they can be fitted by one person from up on deck without needing a crew member below decks, and the blind Sockets are watertight without being plugged.
ACCOMMODATION –
Total Berths 5, 1 Single extends to Double, 3 Single Berths, 2 Cabins, separate Heads Compartment.
The Forepeak has Stowage Shelves forward and Bins under the foot of each Bunk. The Foc’s’l has a Single Berth to Port with Stowage Bins and Drawers under. It has a Lee Cloth, Small Lockers and a Stowage Net outboard.
The Cable Locker is beneath.
The Port Bunk extends to form a cosy Double Berth.
The Foc’s’l also has a Single Berth to Starboard with a Lee Cloth, and Stowage under.
The Heads in its own roomy compartment is a Baby Blake with full-size seat and bowl, fitted at the ship’s side with Blake Aluminium Bronze Sea Cocks.
Opposite this compartment is a Dry Hanging Locker and Bosun’s Lockers
The Saloon, Sea-going Table Heating – Taylors 066D Paraffin Stove in Saloon with Chimney led through Heads Compartment
to Deck Iron and removeable Cowl.
Saloon Bunk-backs have three positions – Fixed Inboard for Sitting Comfort Top-opening for Access to Lockers and Stowage for Bedding. The Galley to port, lockers & drawers under for food, etc. Cooker – Optimus 155/156 Paraffin 2 burner & oven, gimballed, with plate racks behind. Galley Sink with Draining Board & removable Fiddle, Fresh and Salt Water Pumps. Fresh Water Tanks – Two Stainless Steel Tanks totalling 65 gallons under Saloon Berths.
The Full-size Chart Table will take an Admiralty Chart spread out and is equipped with racks to hold Parallel Rules, Pencils,
Rubbers, Dividers, Magnifying Glasses, etc.
Over the Chart Table is an athwartships Bookshelf to hold a good number of full-size Navigation Books & Tables and
a Prismatic Deck-light to provide daylight to the far corner of the table.
Below the Chart Table are Lockers with Chart Drawers to hold in excess of a hundred full-size Charts.
Alongside the Companionway is a Wet Hanging Locker with a Cubby-hole above for ready-use items such as Binoculars, Hand
Bearing-Compass, Foghorn, etc., handy-by to the Cockpit on the other side is a Gash Bin with a drop down wooden lid.
Under the Companionway Steps is Stowage for the Liferaft and the Companionway Slides which can be shipped in heavy weather.
The Large Bilge Pump is mounted under the Steps but the handle is inserted and operated from between steps.
A shallow bin takes Wet Seaboots. Four Hatches in the Saloon Sole give access to Plastic Stowage Bins in the Bilges which
keep food and drink cool.
INVENTORY
Deck Gear –
Cockpit Tent Cover
2 Boat hooks
4 wheel Trailer
Walker Bay 8ft Dinghy c/w Oars, Rowlocks, Fenders & Painters. Scruffy but serviceable.
Navigation Equipment –
Full-size Chart Table
Compass – Lilley & Reynolds 5 ½ “ c/w corrector
Deviation Card
Walker “Excelsior” IV Trailing Log c/w spare rotor and line, oil can etc. in original box.
Lead and line
Short & Mason Clock
Short & Mason Barometer
Port & Starboard Navigation Lights c/w Paraffin and LED internal fittings
Stern Light/Anchor Light c/w Paraffin and LED internal fittings
Safety Equipment –
2 Fire Extinguishers
Fire Blanket
Fog Horn (mouth operated)
Fog Bell
Liferaft Seago 4-man Offshore Liferaft Serviced until Autumn 2022
4 Lifejackets
Lifebuoy
Rescue Harness
Safety Harnesses
Boarding Steps on Rudder
3 Manual Bilge Pumps – Whale Gusher 30 mounted in Saloon, Whale Gusher 10 mounted in Cockpit and Whale
Tiptoe Pump mounted under Companionway Steps
SOME OF THE PORTS AND ANCHORAGES VISITED BY HAPPY QUEST:
IRELAND
Wicklow Inner Harbour
Greystones Marina
Poolbeg Marina (Dublin) [sometimes
towed in or out]*
Lough Shinny
Ardglass
Audley Roads (Strangford Lough)
Ringhaddy Marina (Strangford Lough)
Bird Island (Strangford Lough)
Ballyholme Bay (Bangor)
Port Salon (Lough Swilly)
Aranmore (Aran Island)
Church Pool (Inishkeel Island)
Broadhaven
Elly Bay
Blacksod Quay
Lawrence Cove Marina (Bantry Bay)
Adrigole (Bantry Bay)
Dunboy (Bantry Bay)
Crookhaven
Schull
Baltimore
Castletownsend (Castle Haven)
Glandore
Kinsale
Middle Cove (River Bandon)
Oyster Haven
Crosshaven (Royal Cork Yacht Club)
Dunmore East
Cheek Point (River Suir)
Kilmore Quay Marina
SCOTLAND
Nigg Bay (Loch Ryan)
Helensburgh (Gareloch}
Inchmarnock (Isle of Bute)
Lamlash (Isle of Arran)
Dalintober (Campbeltown Loch)
Campbeltown Marina
Ardminish (Gigha)
Tarbert (Gigha)
Craighouse (Jura)
ISLE OF MAN
Peel
Port Erin
Port St. Mary
WALES
White Ladies Bay (Anglesey)
Holyhead Marina
Brynsiencyn (Menai Straits)
Caernarvon
AberMenai
Abersoch
St Tudwal’s Roads
Fishguard Old Harbour
Goodwick Harbour
Porth Melgan
Port Selau
Porth Lysky
Solva
Pointz Castle
North Haven (Skomer)
South Haven (Skomer)
Mill Bay (Milford Haven)
Watwick Bay (Milford Haven)
Castlebeach Bay (Milford Haven)
Dale Bay (Milford Haven)
Lindsway Bay (Milford Haven)
Long Oar Bay (Milford Haven)
Sleeping Bay (Milford Haven)
Sandy Haven (Milford Haven)
Stack Rock Fort (Milford Haven)
Gellywick Bay (Milford Haven)
Milford Marina (Milford Haven)
Scotch Bay (Milford Haven)
Hazlebeach (Milford Haven)
Neyland Marina (Milford Haven)
Burton Ferry (R.Cleddau)
Mill Bay (R.Cleddau)
Rhoose Ferry (R.Cleddau)
Lawrenny Yacht Station
Castle Bay (Benton) (R.Cleddau)
Black Tar (R.Cleddau)
Sam’s Wood (R.Cleddau)
Curlysky (R.Cleddau)
Little Milford (R.Cleddau)
Landshipping (R.Cleddau)
Picton Point (R.Cleddau)
WALES (Contd)
Slebech (R.Cleddau)
East Llanion Boatyard
Hobbs Point Pontoon
Pennar Gut
Crow Pool
Pembroke Castle Pool [often towed out]*
Sawdern Bay
East Angle Bay
Chapel Bay
West Angle Bay
North Studdock Bay
Barafundle Bay
Paul Jones Bay (Caldy Is.)
Tenby
ENGLAND
Lundy Roads
Clovelly
Daymer Bay
Padstow
St. Ives
St. Mary’s (Scilly)
Porth Loo (Scilly)
Watermill Cove (Scilly)
Porthcressa (Scilly)
Carn Near (Scilly)
New Grimsby (Scilly)
Bryher (Scilly)
St Agnes (Scilly)
Helford River
Falmouth
Mylor Yacht Harbour
St. Mawes
Looe
FRANCE
Porsliogan
Plouganvelin
Roscanvel (Rade de Brest)
Vauban Marina
Camaret-sur-Mer
Treboul Marina (Douarnenez)
Feunteun Aod
St. Evette (Audierne)
Benodet
Iles aux Moutons
Fort Cigogne (Iles Glenan)
Port du Cruesty Marina (Baie de Quiberon)
Port Navalo (Baie de Quiberon)
River Auray
Lamour-Baden (Golfe du Morbihan)
Port Blanc (Golfe du Morbihan)
Port Anna (Golfe du Morbihan)
Vannes Marina [towed in and out]*
Penera – Ile d’Arz (Golfe du Morbihan)
Ile Perin (Golfe du Morbihan)
Ile aux Moines (Golfe du Morbihan)
Le Logeo (Golfe du Morbihan)
Kerners (Golfe du Morbihan)
Sauzon (Belle Ile)
BROKERS NOTE:
With the owner retiring from sailing a wonderful opportunity to buy a first-class shoal-draught gaffer, designed and built by the owner after a lifetime experience of owning traditional yachts. Constructed to an extremely high standard and fitted out with many labour saving and sensible ideas. Although built without an engine there is space in the quarters for an inboard if required. A capable and attractive cruising yacht as evidenced by the list above of ports visited over the last twenty-five years. Viewing recommended.
GUIDE: Sold – August 2022
LYING: Pembrokeshire (ashore)
VIEWING: Through the agents: CLASSIC YACHT BROKERAGE