We are currently working on re-modelling and refurbishing this unbranded 18ft half cabin that is a family favourite. Being of the vintage of when the hulls were built pretty solid, this oldie has good bones and the owner tells us that she is a great sea boat. So rather than scrap it the owners want to ‘re-imagine’ her and give the boat a modern twist. It was originally fitted with a 70hp Yanmar inboard diesel engine running a shaft drive through a prop tunnel in the back of the hull. It had a metal skeg and prop bracket with a transom hung rudder. So after stripping the boat down and cutting out the prop tunnel we began we began checking the hull structure and discovered the hull stringers and a side panel needed replacing. We also removed the alloy cabintop and will replace this with a stylish composite version including new windscreen and windows. Part of the new design is an integral engine pod with aft deck. All the new parts have been replaced with composite panel and all bonded and glassed in using epoxy. An aft bench seat will be built in across the back just forward of the transom which will house the batteries and aft bilge. In the old design this is where the fuel tank was mounted however we are planning a new under-floor tank centrally located. The next stage of this project will be to lift the boat onto work stands to carry out the work to the hull bottom which involves re-building the hull section where the prop tunnel was cut out and then repainting (and yes, the yellow colour will go!)

Stay tuned for further updates of this project as it progresses.