The Eventider's News
The Eventider's News
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Issue Twelve Spring/Summer 09
Page 5 Morwennol
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Cevamp Crystal Voyager Island of Winds Owners tips Scran Bag! Iolaire Molly Jade Paint Offer The Webmaster The Burgee Events News |
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Morwennol is a classic long keel Bermudan sloop. She was built in 1947 by Falmouth Boat Construction. She is built of mahogany on oak frames with copper fastenings and mostly bronze/gunmetal /brass fittings. Length is 27ft.5ins , beam 8ft. Her ballast is in the form of a lead keel slightly bulbous in section. Further ballast below the cabin sole is in the form of lead ingots. The small doghouse with windows and a self draining cockpit were added sometime in the 1960s.
Morwennol was one of five designed by Kenneth Gibbs. A letter from the person who oversaw the building at that time is available. She was registered as Morwennol, the Cornish name for sea swallow. She was shown at The London Boat Show in the early 1950s, and appears in Lloyds Registry of Shipping. Although no longer registered the documentation is available. Gross tonnage 3.99, net tonnage1.77
Morwennol is a fractional three-quarter rigged Bermudan Sloop with quite a long wooden boom. The boom is hollow with a groove for a rope foot. It is fitted with bronze roller reefing gear. The mast is hollow glued and has recently been re-glued and mainsail track refastened. The standing rigging and bottle screws are galvanised. The rigging wires have been regularly treated with linseed oil and paint. However they are now reaching their sell by date and the boat would benefit from some new stainless standing rigging. The bottle screws have all been replaced and are kept in a well-greased state. The exception to this are the tensioners for the back stay and twin forestays which are all original bronze open bottle screws. The trapezoid diamond spreader as can be seen in the photograph supports the masthead. There is also a later added masthead forestay to enable spinnakers etc. to be taken to the masthead. Running rigging is all modern much of it having been upgraded in recent years.
This view of the foredeck shows the bronze rigging screws; mushroom vent; chain pipe and keel mounted samson post. Beneath the hatch with its bronze port lights is the forepeak and toilet. There is a 25lb. C.Q.R. anchor with approximately 200Ft.of 3/8 galvanised anchor chain.
Entering the cabin down a step which also serves as the chart table seat to the left is the all-purpose stainless sink with open storage below. Above this sink is the doghouse window visible from outside. Water drains over the side the outlet being fitted with a gate valve. To the left of the sink can be seen the dry exhaust outlet.
Opposite the sink is the chart table, which is removable. Underneath is visible the quarter berth. The seat also acts as the step from the cockpit. Between the table and sink lies the engine hatch/doghouse sole. Also visible is the doghouse window. The engine is an 8hp single cylinder Honda GX240 aircooled engine fitted with standard 2:1 reduction and centrifugal clutch. It can be easily removed, weighing about 60lbs/25kg. It is an OHV 4 stroke with electronic ignition and recoil start. It drives a two blade bronze propeller via a one-inch propeller shaft.
As you step down into the main cabin secured under the step are the boats two deep cycling 85 AH batteries. On your left is the gimballed stove in a dedicated tiled work area. Front right can be seen the whale fresh water pump which draws water from a twenty five gallon tank fixed below the work area.
Opposite the stove are a series of storage units as can been seen in this view looking aft. Below this is one of the battery storage lockers. The corner of the port berth can also be seen along with one of the original electric lights. (please note the Taylors stove has been removed)
This is a view looking forward through the main cabin taking in most of its length. There is a further locker door just out of camera. At the left of the picture can be seen the keel stepped mast with the cabin table folded up around it. To its right is just visible the folded back forepeak door with original round porthole type mirror. This set up is mirrored on the other side of the cabin. Centre back can be seen one of the two dry storage cupboards with shelf above.
Sails mostly made by Rockall are as follows:
Mainsail although well used is in one piece and remains more than adequate
for cruising. Working bi radial genoa in good used condition. Numbers one
and two jibs are clean and hardly used although manufactured in the 1960s.
The boat is rigged for a spinnaker and fitted with a wooden s There is a modern Sailor R/T (1990s) ; and a beautiful brass and bronze Sestrel Compass. The boat needs a new log and echo sounder. Two 85AH leisure batteries charged by a solar panel provide power for navigation and internal lights There are two Henderson manual bilge pumps one operated from the cabin and the other from the cockpit. There is also a small electric bilge pump and float switch. Below are some of the most recent pictures showing the cockpit, hull and counter stern.
A wooden boat such as this requires a continuing programme of works and should not be seen as a cheap option. At the moment I am in the process of repainting and varnishing in the main cabin. The forepeak could do with a serious rethink having mainly been used as a sail and equipment store and toilet area. The area under the sink is ready to repaint and under the chart table requires stripping and repainting. She now needs lifting out, drying and repainting. She is moored on a temporary mooring on Loch Ness in Scotland. Any purchaser must be prepared to remove her from this mooring within a month of purchase. To take her to Caley Marina in Inverness and have her lifted out should cost about two hundred pounds including Canal fee and lift.
If seriously interested please e mail : info at tasteofsailing.co.uk |
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