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Reluctantly we are selling our lovely Colvic 31 Wheelhouse Ketch
Ninya.
We have owned Ninya since 2002 and from our base in Brixham we
have travelled along and across the English Channel up to North Wales, Isle on
Man, Isles of Scilly, Ireland, Lundy, Padstow and more. Ninya is a great Sea Boat and she will look
after you when the going gets tough, and make comfortable passages in calmer
waters.
Ninya is classified as a Motor Sailer and most motor better
than they sail. Ninya contradicts this
notion by being an excellent Sailer under sail alone. Before buying her we researched many
“conventional yacht” owners about how much time they spent under sail alone as
opposed to motoring. More than 75% of skippers
admitted they used the engine more than sail power alone when on passage. This was why we purchased Ninya because she
does both very well indeed.
From a safety aspect, many yachtsmen get caught out in rough
weather by exposure, sea sickness and dehydration mainly due to exposed and
cold cockpits, inaccessible galleys, and the need to go below into a dark
claustrophobic environment. Ninya gives
the crew choice of freely moving about on the same level between the cockpit
and wheelhouse where the galley is located providing the crew with safe and
warm surroundings, enabling a full look-out to be kept whilst brewing a hot
drink or preparing a basic meal. This is
difficult to achieve in most vessels without having to dress up in heavy weight
oilies and clambering down steep steps into a dark, rolling cabin.
Ninya will take big seas and bad weather in her stride protecting
her crew without compromising sail-ability, vision or control especially at
night. It is also worth mentioning that Ninya is equally at home in calm
conditions, sailing close hauled in 10-15 knots eating up the miles in comfort and
on reaching her moorings her wheelhouse is easily reconfigured from the
“seagoing” layout to her “in-port” layout ready for a pleasant and relaxing
evening.
Details
and Description:
Designer: John A Bennett
Port of Registration: Hull
– Ninya has a Certificate of British Registry issued by the UK Ship Register
Builder: Ardleigh Laminated Plastics Co Ltd (Colvic)
Country of Build: UK
Year of Build: 1974
Sail Number: GBR 2945L
LOA: 9.45m (31 Feet)
LWL: 8.53m (28 Feet)
Beam: 3.04m (10 Feet)
Draught: 1.22m (4 Feet)
Displacement: 7 Tons
Ballast: 2 tons
encapsulated Keel
Capacities: Fuel 150 litres, 33 gallons – Water 310 litres, 60
gallons
Construction:
White GRP Bermudan Ketch Motor Sailer with 7 ton displacement and
2 ton encapsulated keel. Hull and
Superstructure constructed by Ardleigh Laminated Plastics Co Ltd (Colvic) in
1974, completed by first owner in 1976 and professionally refurbished by second
owner in 1988/1989 and Wheelhouse remodelled by current owner in 2016.
Engine and
Drive Train:
Ninya is equipped with a Marinised Ford FSD 54HP 2.5 Litre Diesel
linked to a PRM Hydraulic Gearbox (new in 2002), attached to an AquaDrive
driving the Stainless Steel prop shaft, complete with new cutlass bearing, 3
blade Prop and Alligator Rope Cutter (all new in 2006). This power-train will push her along at 6.5
to 7.5 knots at 1600 rpm in calm seas with plenty in reserve. Recently a new Jabsco
Sea Water Pump was fitted. (New 2016)
Steering:
Ninya is fitted with hydraulic steering with a wheel located in
the Wheelhouse and the other on a Whitlock pedestal in the Cockpit. In addition a Raymarine Autopilot has been
added to the hydraulic circuit providing a safe and reliable extra hand. This Autopilot is also connected to the
Raymarine Chart Plotter thus enabling Ninya to follow a plotted course or
simply go-to a Waypoint.
The automatic steering capability under sail alone can be further
enhanced by upgrading the anemometer to enable automatic steering by apparent
wind.
Finally the hydraulic steering can be disengaged to use a manual
tiller if required in an emergency.
Sails:
Headsail – Ninya has a Furlex Roller Reefing system (New in 2006)
and a customised Genoa with Foam Luff (New in 2006).
Mainsail – Sail Number GBR 2945L – Fully Battened Main Sail with
reliable slab reefing (New in 2012)
Mizzen – Including full sail controls including Cunningham and
Kicker (New in 2012).
Cruising Chute – Blue and White Light Air sail (New in 2010)
In addition there is an assortment of the replaced sails as
backup.
Accommodation:
Forepeak: is light and airy fitted out in light oak
timber joinery. The hatch is forward of the mast. New Side Windows have been fitted (New 2018)
along with new hull and bulkhead lining (New 2018). There is 6+ foot headroom with a permanent,
vinyl covered double berth. The hull is fitted with 4 side lockers along each
side together with a hanging wardrobe.
There is access to the chain locker forward and a large storage locker
under the berth.
Heads: To Port is the Jabsco Sea Toilet (New
upgraded pump 2016) and Blake’s Seacock (New 2012), New Side Window complete
with modesty etching (New 2018). Plus
teak faced Bathroom Cabinet. There is
plenty of room to install a dark water holding tank between hull and Jabsco if
required.
To starboard is the bathroom sink with storage below and above
together with electric taps. There is cold
water only as hot water facility yet to be installed. New Side Window. (New 2018)
Main Saloon: The
galley was relocated to the Wheelhouse during the 1988/1989 refurbishment, thus
creating a cosy space down below. The
cabin sole floor is fitted with hardwearing timber imitation teak laid decking.
There are 2 high intensity circular light fittings and 4 low illumination lamps
with matching shades. Light coloured lined curtains and new Double Glazed
Windows (New 2006).
To Port: Curved burgundy dralon seating around a solid teak oval
table by Mark Gamble Yachts. There are
lockers behind under side decks and underneath seating. Table lowers to form double berth (Gas strut
leg)
To Starboard: Burgundy dralon seating providing a single berth
leading to hanging wardrobe with lockers below and behind under side
decks. The face of the hanging locker
also houses a 12 volt stereo radio with inset speakers. At the foot of the wardrobe, securely
fastened away is housed the battery bank complete with battery switching
system. In addition to a 240 volt RCCD
and MCB protected AC shore supply. The
solar panel is connected through the switching system to enable all or any
battery to be selectively charged.
All the bulkheads were relined in the saloon. (New in 2018)
Wheelhouse: The wheelhouse has been extensively upgraded
to create a practical space both at sea and in port. The theme is based on a wooden fishing
trawler and provides the crew with a safe working environment and comfortable warm
surroundings in which to enjoy those relaxing evenings swinging gently on the
mooring or at anchor watching the world go by through the panoramic windows.
The original side windows were replaced during the 1988/189 refit
with more durable and effective sliding windows, and the forward facing
Wheelhouse windows were replaced with full double glazed units in 2005. These double glazed units have proven to be
effective in eliminating condensation, making the saloon even more cosy and
comfortable.
The Engine and Drive train is located under the Wheelhouse floor
together with the Water Tank to Starboard and Diesel Tank to port. A new Stainless Steel Fuel tank 150litres 40
Gallons capacity was fitted in 2010 and the Wheelhouse floor was recovered in
hard wearing Bamboo flooring 18mm thick.
There are several Stainless Steel grab handles mounted on the fore
and aft bulkheads for safety in a seaway.
To Port: Customised L
shaped seating with Helmsman’s Perch. Storage
is below the seats and under the side decks plus quick, knockdown access
storage for the life raft. Rear of seat
houses accommodates the collapsible chart table. When at sea the chart table is erected
providing a convenient Navigator’s seat and Helmsman’s perch. The chart table provides a sturdy elbow
height facility for efficient chart work and passage making. There is a red light positioned over the
Chart Table.
To Starboard: During the
refit of 1988/1989 the galley was relocated to the Starboard side of the
wheelhouse. It incorporates a solid oak
galley and sink unit and also houses the Plastimo 4500 Gas Cooker, Hob and Oven
(New 2013). Towards the stern is housed
a 12volt or Mains operated fridge. This
provides for a compact but efficient galley usable at sea in all but the
heaviest of conditions. This is great
for long distance passage making especially at night where regular meals can be
prepared and cleared away safely and easily whilst still keeping watch.
To Forward: Double heavy Teak Doors to Saloon, 2 steps down. To the side of the doors is located the is
the Ship’s Control Console housing single lever Engine Gear shift and Throttle,
Switch Panel, Tripped Fuse Panel, Engine instruments, Log & Depth Sounder,
Wind Speed indicator, and Autopilot Control.
On the dashboard above is located the Raymarine Chart Plotter and Radar
Unit linked in to the Silva VHF Radio.
Cockpit: Moving aft
through the outer wheelhouse door into
the deep cockpit, the crew step over a 300mm high teak bulkhead. This is a deep and safe cockpit with lockers
on both sides either side of the second hydraulic steering wheel on a Whitlock pedestal. Ninya can be steered either standing or
sitting with an excellent view through the clear wheelhouse windows.
The cockpit with it dodgers protects the crew from waves and spray
and provides a comfortable space both at sea and in port.
All sheets are led back to the cockpit with the Genoa sheets being
managed with 2 – speed Lewmar Winches.
The mizzen mast is located on a strengthened mast step and also
accommodates the mizzen Cunningham and Kicker (New 2017)
On the
deck: Ninya is a Ketch with the mizzen stepped in the cockpit next to
the rear Wheelhouse Bulkhead. Moving
forward a solar panel is installed on the wheelhouse roof then onto an opening hatch
in Wheelhouse roof. Customised hardwood
grab handles run full length of wheelhouse and saloon decks.
The main mast is stepped on an “H” frame configuration above the
heads forward of which is the opening hatch from the forepeak.
The foredeck houses the Lewmar 750w electric chain winch and
capstan (New 2008) together with 50m of 10mm calibrated chain spliced to 50m of
18mm warp. The 35lb Sea Anchor is lashed
to the foredeck with customised cleats.
The up and down winch switches are located close by.
Ninya has wide side-decks, deep stanchions and strong guard wire
providing the crew with a safe passage fore and aft both at sea and in port.
Substantial cleats and fairleads are found located on the
forepeak, side and rear gunwales.
Owners Remarks:
Ninya has always been an active boat and continually upgraded by
pervious 2 owners and ourselves during the past 16 years of our
stewardship. She is old enough to
participate in any of the many Heritage Vessel gatherings around the UK and
abroad. There is ample scope for the new
owners to continue customise and enhance Ninya to their own exacting requirements.
A full list of Ninya’s inventory is available on request.
We plan to continue to sail Ninya until a new owner is found,
including a possible cruise to the West Coast of Scotland, and we will be very
pleased to demonstrate her paces to serious prospective purchasers.
Ninya is currently sitting on her mooring in Brixham Harbour and
due to be lifted out for 6 months ashore in October.
Please contact me via eBay to discuss.
Current Price: £1.20
This Colvic Atlanta Type (31) Wheelhouse Ketch boat is located in Brixham, TQ59RP and is being sold on eBay by colvicatlanta.