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Zenith is a Neptunian 33 ketch, designed by Alan Buchanan and constructed by Tyler Boat Co. in 1982 to Lloyds A1 Quality standards. This centre-cockpit sailing vessel would suit families seeking a practical boat for coastal cruising as well as individuals or couples looking for a compact, manageable liveaboard option.
The boat offers six berths across three cabins, ample storage, and modern upgrades like a bow thruster, solar charging, AIS, autopilot, and a versatile heating system. With a proven design and consistent maintenance, Zenith is equipped for both short family outings and extended time on the water.
Its ketch rig provides balanced handling and simplifies sailing with a small crew, supported by a powerful and reliable Beta 38hp engine with low hours (under 1100). Short-handed capability is enhanced by a Vetus 55kgf bow thruster.
Discription
Zenith is a Neptunian 33 ketch, designed by Alan Buchanan and constructed by Tyler Boat Co. in 1982 to Lloyds A1 Quality standards. This centre-cockpit sailing vessel would suit families seeking a practical boat for coastal cruising as well as individuals or couples looking for a compact, manageable liveaboard option.
The boat offers six berths across three cabins, ample storage, and modern upgrades like a bow thruster, solar charging, AIS, autopilot, and a versatile heating system. With a proven design and consistent maintenance, Zenith is equipped for both short family outings and extended time on the water.
Its ketch rig provides balanced handling and simplifies sailing with a small crew, supported by a powerful and reliable Beta 38hp engine with low hours (under 1100). Short-handed capability is enhanced by a Vetus 55kgf bow thruster.
Construction
Designed by Alan Buchanan, the hull and deck was built by Tyler Mouldings and the interior by Johnson, Sons and Jago Ltd of Essex.
The hull, deck and superstructure are all GRP with pale blue non-slip on deck.
She has a Long keel with lead encapsulated ballast, a transom hung rudder with wheel steering in a centre style cockpit.
Blakes seacocks all removed, reground and greased 2022.
Windscreen wiper on wheelhouse motor removed checked and bushes changed 2021.
The boat’s underside was previously treated with a copper coat - at 2024 season end, given a review of its performance by Marina Staff was cleaned and prepped for replacement with conventional antifouling (Spring 2025). It has been coated with two layers of International Primocon to provide a solid primer base for applying new antifouling protection.
2 x Tins of 2.5L Hempel Cruising Performer antifoul (Red) purchased 2025. In stores and ready for new owner to apply.
Mechanical
Powered by a Beta 38hp 4 cylinder inboard marine diesel engine with shaft drive to a 3 blade fixed prop. Just over one thousand hours running time.
Water-lubricated shaft bearing.
New Thrust bearing and professional service 2021. A fuel polishing system was also installed along with the normal engine-mounted filters. Racor Pre-Fuel Filter. Two new Parker Racor filters purchased & added to spares/stores (2025).
Vetus 55Kgf bow thruster.
Rope cutter.
All oil and fuel filters changed on a yearly basis.
Fresh and sea water cooling via a heat exchange with header tank. Raw water intake and heat exchanger removed cleaned and descaled 2022
Less than 1100hrs running time since this engine was installed and last services were at 957 hours (2023) and then at 1042 hours (2024).
Spares include Filters, Impellor, Alternator belts and Anodes, Parker Filters etc.
Seawater outlet manifold replaced 2019
Anodes replaced 2020 and 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
Electrical
The 12v ships electrical system is powered by 3 x 12 volt 175 amp batteries all new 2021 fitted in new stainless steel tray.
1 x sealed 12v 120ah domestic battery - new 2021
1 x sealed 12v 90ah engine start battery - new 2018
1 dedicated battery for bow thruster new August 2020
220v shore power with cable
New Sovereign 40Ah charger 2022 and new Sovereign Battery to Battery charger for Bow Thruster - batteries new 2021
New Solar Charger Regulator 2022
Water System
Pressurized Hot and cold Fresh water system with Hotpot.
The water heating system is cleverly designed and installed - there is a twin-coiled Surecal Calorifier, with independent loops fed by the engine and also the Webasto Thermotop 'C' wet diesel heater. This diesel heater is fed from the starboard tank. The heating line is fed not only to the Calorifier (for domestic hot water) but also through two wet-system blown air heaters (one in each cabin).
In summary - 3 independent ways to heat water - Engine Calorifier, Shore-powered 240v mains immersion heater or Webasto Diesel Thermotop C heater.
Webasto Thermotop C service kit new (2024).
A diagram of showing the operation and plumbing lines of the entire hot water system has been drawn up in PDF. See photos / available by email on request.
Tankage
2 GRP fuel tanks - total capacity 100gal. The fuel tanks are just below full - included with sale.
1 GRP water tank - 100gal capacity. Disinfected, washed and flushed yearly.
New (in-line) cold water filter fitted beneath galley 2024.
Mast, Rigging and Sails
Ketch rigged with alloy masts and booms by Sparcraft which is supported by 1 x 19 stainless steel rigging (14 years old).
Braid on braid running rigging (new Spring 2018). New mizzen backstays 2020.
Single reef on the mainsail and mizzen
Stackpacks on both the mainsail and mizzen
Both Stackpacks have had new zips professionally fitted 2025
Lazy Jacks on the mainsail and mizzen
Furling headsail.
Rigging inspected and tensioned and split pins replaced 2021
Sails Inventory
Genoa by East Coast Sails in Terylene in good condition.
2008 Main by East Coast Sails in Terylene in very good condition. fully battened.
2008 Mizzen by East Coast Sails in Terylene in good condition battened.
Several spare sails including, main, mizzen & jibs and cruising chute .
All sails laundered and checked Spring 2022 and also Spring 2025.
Accommodation
Zenith sleeps six in three cabins. A useful feature of the boat is that the rear cabin is apart from the forward cabins, with its own dedicated heads.
The forward cabin has two single berths or double with infill to make a double berth. New mattress 2022. It has ample storage under the berth and in lockers above.
There is a chain locker forward and battery and Bow Thruster under the forward end bunks. There is also a circuit breaker for the windlass, bow thruster isolator and fire extinguisher fitted on the port side.
Forward heads to port side with Jabsco twist and lock toilet, wash hand basin with powered hot and cold running water. There is a locker above the sink suitable for toiletries. Opposite the heads is a hanging locker which also stores the Sterling battery management system for the bow thruster battery.
The saloon is large with ample head room. It has U-shaped seating which converts to an ample sized double berth. There is stowage under the seats as well as in the lockers on the port side. Along with chart stowage, behind set cubbyholes. Interior is finished in teak and red cloth upholstery.
Clock and Barometer
12v cabin lighting
12v Fridge that can be adapted to run off the 240 volt shore power
The aft cabin has two single (port and starboard) berths. There is a cupboard storing the Sureflo calorifier and Webasto hot air heating unit There are stowage lockers on both sides and above the steering gear.
The aft cabin also has it's own heads on the port side with a Jabsco toilet, new in 2019 and serviced in 2024. Above the toilet is a pull-out sink with hot and cold running water.
Galley with recent (2022) stainless steel 2 ring gas cooker, grill and oven. Water filter system (Filter replaced 2024) to galley sink with hot and cold pressurised water and backup manual cold water pump. There is a draining board at the sink and plenty of preparation space.
12v Fridge that can be adapted to run off the 240 volt shore power. This Fridge is top-opening. New cooling system and controls fitted 2022.
Inventory - Deck and Deck Equipment
Side decks can be easily accessed from the wheelhouse Port & Starboard - they lead to the spacious foredeck which is all secured by a stainless steel pulpit, stainless steel stanchions with stainless steel PVC coated double guard wires and a stainless steel push-pit.
Single bow roller.
Lewmar electric anchor windlass with dual controls - cockpit and remote foot switches on the foredeck.
Anchoring
4 anchors included.
Main ground tackle: Knox 18kg anchor as main anchor (New, 2023).
See http://www.knoxanchors.com
80m of 8mm chain and nylon warp.
Knox anchor spring with 8mm carbon steel hook.
Backup Main - Lewmar Delta 16kg - Bought (New, 2022) - this was the previous owners main anchor.
Kedge - Bulldog 12 - previously used as main anchor on a Starlight 35, Aluminium, 6.5kg.
There is also a CQR anchor mounted on foredeck.
Deck fittings and Equipment
Samson post
Cockpit Tent - Cleaned and new windows professionally sewn in (2024)
Cockpit seats
Davits by Vetus
3 x Lewmar manual halyard winches.
2 Lewmar 30 2-speed self-tailing manual primary winches.
Navigation Equipment
Raymarine AIS Transceiver (2021)
Raymarine Axiom 7 plotter in cockpit - (2018)
Raymarine wheel autopilot - 2018
The raymarine equipment above is networked and the active route on the plotter can be slaved to the wheel-steering autopilot.
Icom DSC VHF radio in saloon and repeater in the cockpit with DSC
Furuno GPS - 2018
Silva echo sounder in wheelhouse
Sestrel Moor compass
Furuno radar
Silva speed and log
Silva wind speed & direction
Nav lights and deck light
Safety Equipment
4 man Plastimo Canister life-raft (last serviced 2021, expired 2024)
Electric bilge pump
Manual bilge pump - Whale Mk5 - newly replaced (2024)
Fire blanket renewed 2021
3 manual fire extinguishers.1x Auto engine room extinguisher (new 2022)
Jack stays
The gas monitor x2 were replaced 2019
A new carbon dioxide sensor and Smoke alarm new 2021
Emergency Steering - aft Cabin
Dan-buoy
General
Boathook
Cockpit Tent - Cleaned and new windows professionally sewn in (2025)
Fishing Rod Holder
Clock and Barometer in cabin
Nearly new dinghy - Seago 260 SL (2023) - excellent condition - with UV cover
New inflatable fender step in white (2024)
Full set of 6 large Hurricane fenders in dark grey (new 2023)
Large Hurricane ball fender in dark grey (new 2023)
4 additional white fenders
Appropriate mooring lines and rope.
Known defects
White nav light at rear needs replacing.
Life-raft is expired and needs servicing.
Bow thruster anode is half worn and will be replaced prior to sale.