| West Wight Potter E-Type |
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 04 June 2009 09:43 |
|
Full size Picture: See below
This is 'E1' Described by many as 'The Ultimate Micro-Cruiser', the West Wight Potter has an amazing maritime history. The original design was conceived by Stan Smith who was famous for sailing across the Atlantic with his brother Colin in what at the time (the late 1940's) was a very small 2 P boat they had built together, the Nova Espero. The boat only had an upturned dinghy fora cabin. Stan not only sailed from Nova Scotia to the UK, but later sailed back again with Charles Violet to commemorate the Festival of Britain in 1951. Stan, the son of a boatbuilder from Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight had grown up on and around the sea. He had very firm views of what he wanted in a boat and in the early 1960's designer the West Wight Potter (originally in plywood). The criteria of the design was to have a boat that could fit on it's trailer in an average -sized garage, could be towed with a Morris Minor and yet would be sea-worthy enough to brave the waters of the Solent and the English Channel. It also needed to be beachable. Thus the Potter was born, and many memorable journeys have been made in this little trailer sailer. Some of the more notable include: Stan Smith delivered a boat to Norway sailing from Yarmouth in the Isle of Wight round the coast and through the North Sea. He encountered a force 9 gale and had to beach the boat in Holland. After a few repairs, he continued to Norway and delivered the Potter to it's new owner. Another amazing adventure took place when an intrepid Potter owner sailed from California to Hawaii on an 80 day trip! Other treks have included the entire coast of Alaska, the swamps of Mexico and many, many other trips on both land, sea, river and lake around the globe. The Potter is able to float in just 6" (150mm) of water, making it a fabulous boat for creek-crawling and beach use. It is a camp-aboard boat when you want it to be (6' 6" berths). The gunter rig with small jib enables it to ghost along in the lightest of breezes and yet it has a good turn of speed when required. The E-Type Potter was a complete re-design of the Potter and carries the CE mark of a category 'D' boat under the Recreational Craft Directive. It has a unique hull number. Do not make the mistake of thinking that it in any way resembles the finish of earlier A,B,C,D, AX or U.S. versions of the Potter. This design is in an altogether higher league and was completely redesigned for those who are looking fora very high quality, yet retro-styled boat. The cabin allows two adults to sleep side by side on carefully designed cushions that cover the entire floor area. There are lots of little stowage areas hidden away in the boat to keep all the necessary bits and pieces to allow camping on-board. It has a large rear locker in the cockpit. The E-Type is a composite boat. In other words it has a fibreglass hull, with plywood and timber top-sides. This gives it a very homely feel. The base of the hull and the runners are built extra thick (with double gelcoats) to allow beaching without causing damage. There is a lot of in-built bouyancy for safety's sake. The E-type is a very tough little boat and will last for many years to come if properly looked after. The timber topsides are all epoxy coated and then varnished for extra protection. The cabin roof has been cleverly designed to be very strong. This is to allow the mast to have a tabernacle (very handy for the trailer sailor). The cockpit has mahogany gunnels, cabin doors, cabin fittings, seats and floorboards. All the fittings are either bronze or Tuffnol with hemp-look polyester ropes and sheets. It has a single set of Tan Sails made by Jekkels. It is a quirky, yet pretty little boat that draws a lot of attention and admiring looks. The boat for sale has many extras: * Full heavy duty (almost unused) road trailer with heavy duty winch, telescopic jockey wheel * Spare wheel for trailer * Lifting Outboard Bracket * 4 Stroke 4 hp Mercury/Mariner Outboard with only 12 hours use. * Topsides Cover * All ropes and sheets necessary to sail away * Set of Tan sails in very good condition. * Heavy-duty mooring anchor with chain leader. • Two-part Oars Almost new Porta-potti • Bronze portholes • Calico Storage bags in cabin • Many other bits and pieces thrown in. New, this amazing package cost around £16,000.00 A number of E-Types were built from 1998-2001 This is the E-Type designer's own boat, so no expense was spared to make it a truly fabulous trailer sailer. It has been stored in a garage since it was built. It has a few little bumps and knocks as one would expect for such a loved boat as this, and the anti-fowling has faded a little, but nothing that a very few hours of pleasant polishing (and dreaming of voyages to come) wouldn't put right. The nearly new engine probably needs a service as it was washed out with fresh water at the end of the season two years ago, but never got as far as it's first service. It has been a show boat at Southampton Boat Show on many occasions and has been photographed for an article in Practical Boat Owner magazine. The only reason I am selling this is that I do not have the room for it any more and have not managed to sail it due to other commitments for the last two years, so it has to go. It will be sadly missed. If you want to see it before buying, then please ring me on 07816 568530 and ask for David.
|
| Last Updated on Monday, 08 June 2009 09:57 |
Length overall: 4.38m (14' 3")