English
Secret 20 gaff rigged cutter designed by Derek Ellerd of Scruffie Marine Australia and built by the owner Bill Thomson. Featured in PBO in October 2016. This design from the nineteenth century, dominated the sailing scene in late Victorian England, and even today the restored Partridge of 1885 is still winning classic regattas and races. Primarily a day sailer with good weekend accommodation facilities, the emphasis is on cockpit comfort space rather than a cavernous cabin with all mod cons. The boat will sleep two down below and two under canvas in the cockpit. Secret is for those who appreciate the very best in small boats. Comes with road/launch trailer, 2016 build completion survey available on request.
FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT: Bill Thomson 07377 939 322 Email: bill.thomson51@btinternet.com
SPECIFICATION:
Secret 20 Gaff rigged cutter design by Derek Ellard (Scruffie Marine Australia) and built by Bill Thomson (owner)
Marine Ply, Red cedar and epoxy construction
Keel hung rudder
Bow sprit
Tiller steering
Aft cockpit – self draining
Wooden grab rails
Blue hull with cream deck
ENGINE:
Mercury 3.3 HP 2-stroke 2.4 kw 1-cylinder O/B petrol engine
Engine built 2000
Last service 2020 with only 4 hours use since
Engine hours minimal, circa12 hours per annum
Fixed 3 blade propeller
Cruise speed 3.5 knots
Max speed 4 knots
ELECTRICS:
1 x 12-volt 45-amp hour battery charged by engine
TANKAGE:
Fuel - 1.4 litres integral to motor
Water - 10 litres in flexible water bag
RIG:
Gaff cutter
Wood varnished mast and boom
Stainless steel standing rigging – 14 years old
Traditional slab reefing
Headsail reefing, both on roller furling gear
JAMMERS:
All sheets have jammers 5 in total
SAILS: (All sails Tan)
Mainsail – 14 years of age
Foresail – 14 years of age
Jib – 14 years of age
Red storm staysail – age unknown, ex mirror dinghy sail
ACCOMMODATION:
2 single berths in 1 cabin
White/varnished internal wood finish
Heads Porta Potti loo stowed beneath cockpit and accessed from cabin
Meths powered Origo Dometic single burner stove
Hand pumped cold water system
INVENTORY
NAVIGATION:
Compass - Plastimo 50
VHF radio - Standard Horizon HS870 hand held which includes GPS
GENERAL EQUIPMENT:
Anchors x 2 - Fisherman 12 lbs and Folding Plough 12 lbs
10 metres of chain on both anchors and 15 metres of warp on main anchor
Fog horn
Bilge pump - manual
Cockpit cover
Boom tent
Winter cover
Road trailer with yard trailer on top
Fenders
Warps
Boat hook
OWNERS COMMENTS:
Home built (2010 – 2016) and sailed for 8 years after completion.
AILEEN has been sailed single handed on the Dart and cruised the south coast between Teignmouth and Fowey.
She was towed by road to Largs and sailed single handed on the Clyde to Tarbet and Arran.
She is normally dry berthed and launched when wanted, now selling her due to other family commitments.
RECENT UPDATES:
Engine last serviced 2020 with only 4 hours use since.
Road trailer serviced and the axle renewed by Western Towing 2020.
Surveyed 2016 on completion of build – report available by request.
SECRET – THE DESIGNER’S BRIEF:
The design foundations of this type of vessel were laid in the nineteenth century by which time the archetypal English gaff cutter had evolved into a near perfect expression of hull and rig. Whether racing or trawling their straight stems, graceful counters and rakish rigs dominated the sailing scene in late Victorian England.
Their speed and sea keeping abilities were the stuff of legend and even today cutters such as the restored Partridge of 1885 are still winning classic regattas and races. I grew up in and around the south east of England where many a fine cutter had her home port and I had wanted one for the best part of forty years. Although tiny by comparison, Secret shares a common heritage with those wonderful old cutters and I have worked harder on her lines than any other in an effort to capture the essence of the old timers in a thoroughly modern trailer yacht.
Intended primarily as a day sailer with good weekend accommodation facilities, the emphasis is on cockpit comfort and space rather than a cavernous cabin with all mod cons. The boat will sleep two down below and two under canvas in the cockpit. Ample space is provided for portable toilet, sink stove and icebox. The cabin features a canvas hatch and specially cast bronze oval ports. The cockpit is self-draining and will comfortably seat four along one side (“R” Type.)
Auxiliary power is supplied by an electric motor sliding down through a flap in the counter; the batteries stowed forward under the bunks. A small generator and solar panels can be fitted for complete peace of mind (a petrol outboard can be fitted but should be removable.)
Structurally, Secret is built around our time honoured slot system marine ply framework. A two inch laminated keel/stem/stern assembly runs the whole length of the boat, extending down to include the ballast which is in the form of lead ingots, housed in a faired hardwood “box.” The machined marine ply frames, seats and bulkheads interlock and slot into the keel, forming a light, strong box section framework. Next a series of closely spaced stringers are fitted around the hull and the ply skin is screwed and glued in place. The bilges are “planked” up in cedar and faired to a firm yet fully rounded profile. The bulkheads, floors, seat bunks, and lockers are all an integral part of the structure. There are no jigs or strongbacks needed and with all the components pre-fabricated, initial build time is very fast. Most builders will be able to get a Secret in frame within a week or two.
Fairing the hull and achieving a good finish will always take time and superb cabin joinery is not an overnight job. To help make the work easier, many finishing components are pre-machined to fit to the framework and a selection of matching off-cuts is provided for custom work.
The keel is of Oregon pine (Douglas fir) and Tallowood, stringers of Oregon and Western Red Cedar, the turn of the bilges is also Cedar. Interior trim and other bright work is in Queensland Red Cedar – a tough, resilient yet lightweight timber, finishing to a beautifully figured rich red brown. Options include Australian Silky Oak or Silver Ash. The spars are hollow and of the best clear Oregon pine. The sailcloth is available in tan, cream or white and the custom made fittings are in stainless steel. Good quality cordage and chandlery is by Ronstan. The rig includes two rows of reef points on the main, roller reefing to the foresail and a variety of jibs set flying on the bowsprit. Secret can be rigged, launched and sailed by the single hander. She draws 2’3” (.675m) when afloat.
Secret has proved to be beautifully balanced on all points, quick to manoeuvre and satisfyingly fast. In about 8-9 knots of breeze she points efficiently to about 35 degrees, making true 45 degrees over the ground. On a reach over 7.5 knots has been recorded. The boat has an easy motion in moderate chop and has exceeded all expectations and we are delighted with her. While the “C” Type hulls and an “R” Type rigs with their larger battened main, larger jib and with optional gennaker is by far the most popular combination, for those who require even more performance there is the "R” type cabin version with larger cockpit and a smaller, lower cabin roofline. The two bunks below will remain for basic accommodation but there’s no space for stove or sink in the cabin, although a port-a-potti will sit snugly under the cockpit sole. Both rigs on both hulls are interchangeable. The “R” type with a crew of three or four will be very competitive in classic boat competition and in mixed handicap fleets.
The boat is thoroughly engineered to the best of my ability and while certainly not cheap, in kit form it will represent a huge saving on similar custom built craft Secret is for those who appreciate the very best in small boats – I am proud of her
Derek Ellard : Designer
Disclaimer:
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of these details their accuracy is not guaranteed and they are intended as a guide only and do not constitute a contract. A prospective buyer is strongly advised to employ a qualified Marine surveyor to
carry out a survey of the vessel which should include an engine assessment where appropriate. Baltic Yacht Brokerage are acting as a Broker for the Vendor of this vessel, who unless otherwise stated, is not selling in the course of any business.