English
A rare opportunity – traditional sailing boat Minx, a Morecambe Bay Prawner, has just come up for sale in Devon. Enjoy the beauty and pleasure of sailing this classic design, but with the advantages of a GRP hull for lower level of maintenance. Ideal for a family, perfect for a couple.
Minx has been a familiar sight in Torbay amongst the larger Heritage vessels; she has been kept on a swinging mooring in Brixham and has spent the winters ashore for refit at Dolphin Boatyard, Galmpton on the River Dart. She currently has a walk ashore mud berth (HW + - 3hrs) here.
Minx has been restored to a high standard since she came to the present owners 9 years ago. Winter refits have been a constant series of maintenance and upgrades with a new gear box, drive plate and stern gland. The engine has always been professionally maintained and improved by Tonto Marine with the local Lombardini agent at Teignmouth providing spares as required. A DSC radio and a B&G chart plotter have been installed and a paddle wheel log fitted. The electrical services have been improved with the installation of LED lighting, navigation lights, a charging controller for both batteries and an efficient Solar Panel system.
Most of the rigging has been replaced with much thought given to materials appropriate to the traditional appearance. The foresails have been renewed; both stay sail and jib are operable entirely from the cockpit. Recently all berth and seating cushions were either replaced or recovered. All the recent work and upgrades are best discussed whilst viewing the vessel.
Minx is for sale fully equipped for coastal cruising with a complete inventory of sailing accessories and equipment for life on board. Her current berth is paid until April 2025.
More pictures coming soon!!!
More pictures coming soon!!!
History
MINX – A GRP MORECAMBE BAY PRAWNER (NOBBY)
In 1979 Eric Berqvist who was a boat builder based at Fiddlers Ferry on the River Dee produced some grp hulls using the 1934 prawner “Sir William Priestley” built by Crossfields of Arnside, as a plug for the mould. The “Priestley” was the Morecambe Bay Fishermen’s Association private lifeboat and served the area until the late 1980s when the RNLI agreed to take over the station. The whereabouts of fourteen of the grp hulls are known to The Nobby Owners Association and the “Priestley” is currently in the care of Lancaster Museum awaiting funding for restoration. The new GRP hulls and their derivatives were featured in Practical Boat Owner in about 1980.
Minx was fitted out by Pete Tomlinson in Bristol and launched in 1993 on the Avon with her spars produced at Underfall yard. She had her first antifouling in traditional style beached at Pill. Minx was featured in Sailing Today 2001 following her fitting out and launch. Minx was active in the Bristol Channel and Irish Sea area of the OGA (the association for gaff rig sailing) whilst under the ownership of the Tomlinson family.
Minx then spent about for years in the Poole Harbour area before being purchased in 2015 by Paul Jolley was at that time President of the Southwest area of the OGA. Over the last few years Minx has had a cruising range from Bembridge to the Scillies and is a well known boat at gaff rig events in the Southwest. Minx has regularly taken part in Falmouth Classics, Helford rally, Plymouth Rally, Fowey Classics, Dartmouth Regatta and Brixham Heritage events. Winning first in class at Brixham Heritage Regatta amongst numerous other trophies.
Until 2023 Minx was kept on a swinging mooring in Brixham and has spent the winter ashore for refit at Dolphin Boatyard on the River Dart. She currently has a walk ashore mud berth (HW + - 3hrs) at Galmpton on the River Dart.
Winter refits have been a constant series of maintenance and upgrades with a new gear box, drive plate and stern gland. The engine has always been professionally maintained and improved by Tonto Marine with the local Lombardini agent at Teignmouth providing spares as required. A DSC radio and a B&G chart plotter have been installed and a paddle wheel log fitted.
The electrical services have been improved with the installation of LED lighting, navigation lights, a charging controller for both batteries and an efficient Solar Panel system. Recently all berth and seating cushions were either replaced or recovered. All the recent work and upgrades are best discussed whilst viewing the vessel.
Minx is for sale fully equipped for coastal cruising with a complete inventory of sailing accessories and equipment for life on board. Her current berth is paid until April 2025.
Sails
Gaff Mainsail
Furling Jib / Wyckham Martin
Furling Staysail / Wyckham Martin
Features
- Compass
- Cockpit cushions
- Lazyjacks
- Electric bilge pump
- Gps
- Marine head
- Tiller
- Manual bilge pump - Automatic
- Depthsounder - NASA
- Mainsail cover
- Solar panel
- Beaching legs
- Oven
- Plotter - B&G/Navioics
- Vhf - DSC
- Log speedometer - NASA
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.