I have owned this beautiful yacht (Lady Louise) for c.12 years with a friend. We have loved her dearly throughout and maintained her irrespective of cost, but sadly it is time to pass her to someone else to love. She is perfect for family holidays or trips with friends, being unusually spacious for broads yacht. Ideal for our new ‘staycation’ world to escape long weekend breaks or even multi-week holidays. Indeed she is large and comfortable enough to just stay in he marina (in a lovely part of the Broads) as a quasi holiday cottage!Throughout our ownership she has been moored at Cox’s Boatyard, one of the best yards in the very best location (in our view) in the fabulous Norfolk Broads. Cox’s performed a very extensive renovation on her about 10 years ago including new mahogany cabin sides, new mahogany cockpit, extensive new planking and ribs, new decking etc. at the cost of the GDP of a small nation. Cox’s have maintained her to a high standard since, replacing planks as needed. She has a new mahogany transom in 2016. She was fully revarnished in 2019 and, following an overheating issue with her original engine we had a reconditioned engine fitted in 2019 that is extremely reliable and seems to run on vapour it is so frugal.To ensure she is in good condition for sale we asked Cox’s to inspect her hull for any weaknesses and as a result she has just had 8 planks replaced, the hull sanded and painted as well as a new layer of anti-foul, at a cost of just over £5,600. the work was completed this month (September 2020). So she is good to go for several seasons of holidays. She is unusual for a Broads boat as she has full standing headroom (c.6ft 3ins) in the cabin. She was described in Blakes 1972 brochure as ‘having luxury never before seen’. Her accommodation comprises:twin berth front cabin that can be converted to a double with insert and cushions (made by Jeckells and extremely comfortable)2 settees in main cabin, both of which convert to a double berth so she can sleep 6separate head with Jabsco toilet (new c.2017)separate washroom with showerpumped hot / cold water. Hot water is supplied by a Rinnai gas heater fitted c.2014galley area with Flavel Vanessa twin hob, grill, oven and sink with hot / cold water supplythere are numerous cupboards, hanging lockers and shelveslighting is mainly 12v led plus two small fluorescent tubes in the main cabinOver last winter we had her tiller and portholes re-chromed so they look fantasticRigging:Stainless steel riggingAluminium mast (possibly the tallest on the Broads!)Wooden (oak?) boom with roller reefingForesail on a brass Wykeham furler (both new c.2015)Mainsail (new c.2015). Both sails and furling system supplied by Jeckells. Sails were valeted in 2019.A-frame for mast lowering via a winch in the forepeakShe will fit under all Broads bridges depending on the state of tide. We have taken her through Potter Heigham bridge (the lowest) several times to enjoy the tranquility where the hire boats cannot reach!Engine is a Petter twin producing c. 10hp. It is a reconditioned engine fitted in 2019 and it has been completely reliable since. It seems to run on vapour as we use extremely little diesel. She has 2 x 110 amp batteries (engine and domestic) with isolators. She has shore power and battery charger.things to consider:For the Broads she is a large yacht – this makes her brilliant for families and people who love to sail with friends but she is not the best for solo sailing. My wife and I find her fine to sail as a couple except in very strong winds when we wish we had an extra person – but then we drop the sails, put the engine on and enjoy her as a ‘cruiser’.She is a traditional wooden boat. This makes her beautiful in a way GRP can never be, but she does need regular maintenance. She will be sold in good condition (as noted Cox’s have just ensured her hull is in good order) but expect to need to do something to her on a rotational basis (varnishing, painting, occasional planks etc.). The burners on the cooker have from this season been a little smoky (they were fine up to the end of 2019). We are not sure if this is the new gas bottle put on this year or if the burners need cleaning. It still boils the kettle and fries our bacon fine, but I need to wash charcoal off the bottom of the pans after cooking. There may be an easy remedyShe has a full cover we purchased from Jeckells in the year we bought her. It is beginning to get a little tired. It is ok for the time being but will probably need replacing at some point.Her batteries are getting on a bit (we bought them new c. 8 years ago). They work fine but were we keeping her we would probably replace them next year, replacements are available on Amazon for c.£85.The upsides are many and described above but a couple to highlights are :her mahogany cabin sides and cockpit are a delight to look at, you will enjoy the comments from passers by when moored up.being unusually large interior for a Broads boat she can sleep 6 (4 is very comfortable) with full standing headroom, making her a great place to take friends and familyMost of the key items (engine, sails etc) have been replaced in our ownership as well as an extensive (and expensive) renovation followed by ongoing maintenance since by Cox’sCox’s have indicated that her mooring may be transferrable though this needs to be agreed with them. Cox’s is extremely difficult to get a place in as it is one of the very best locations in the Broads, only a short motor / sail to Barton Broad, and has great facilities. It is heart-wrenching to sell her. We are only doing so because my co-owner is giving up sailing and has bought a very large large ‘plastic’ Broads ‘gin palace’ cruiser instead. Lady Louise is really too large for just my wife and I so we are down-sizing to a smaller yacht.The Broads is a fabulous sailing area, c. 150 miles of rivers and lakes (Broads). Great sailing and fantastic flora and fauna. Lady Louise is specifically designed for the Broads (big rig, shallow draft at 3ft 6ins) – Broads yachts are not intended for sea use.She will be supplied with Quant pole, various mooring lines, fenders and a mud-weight.Viewings are possible through Cox’s if we cannot get down (we live several hours drive from the Broads).Payment by bank transfer strongly preferred. This is a private sale so no warranty is given or implied. She is advertised for sale elsewhere so I reserve the right to end the sale
Current Price: £12000.00
This Norfolk Broads Classic Yacht – Hw Proud Lady Class – Well Maintained boat is located in Norfolk, NR12 *** and is being sold on eBay by elbleato.