For sale is an eighteen foot Chas Purbrook Shelduck named Nimrod. She is a wooden built day sailer gaff-rigged craft built in 1947. There is only an open sailing space, no cabin. Less than thirty of these classic sailing boats were built. I bought her as a restoration project last year when I had a health scare. I have now realised that I have bitten off more than I can manage with my current work commitments and would rather someone had her to carry on and get her back in the water. I am very sad to let her go as she is a beautiful little boat and I have already spent many happy hours stripping the bright wood back for re-varnishing. She was last in the water 2 years ago (I believe from the person I bought it from last year).
Built in 1947 from pre-war African mahogany on oak frames by Charles A. Purbrook Ltd., Christchurch, Hampshire, Nimrod is a 2 1/2 ton, centreboard , 18 foot overall, 16 foot waterline, 6 foot 6 inch beam, 2 foot draught with plate up, 4 foot 6 inch draught plate down, 9 1/2 CWT iron keel.
She has a few cracked ribs on one side only which will cost around £500 to fix, the original planks may go back when the ribs are replaced. There is a full set of sails, all masts etc are present. There is an outboard motor (as no internal engine even though there is a site for one and the propeller hole has just been blocked up) I will sell the outboard with the boat dependent on the price I am offered. The outboard is a 4 Hp Evinrude which is old but has recently had a full service and works well. The engine fits onto a bracket on the transom which has been removed for stripping.
The trailer is in excellent condition, you could actually use this as a trailer-sailer if you had the wheels to do so! She has been stored in a shed all winter. I am happy for people to ask any more questions and come and visit but please only contact me if you are a serious Shelduck-seeker (as I was!). I do need to recoup the costs I have incurred and sadly cannot let her go at a silly price. If you search for other Rossiter boats you will get an idea of value.
Price: £3000 o.n.o.; can be viewed in Suffolk (ring for viewing on 01493 302975)
Email: clarewinter@srcmbc.org.uk