Affordable Classics
Chris Hogan, 13th June 2018, Boat
The pleasure of affordable classic boats!
For some months now, Classic Boat has been running a series on affordable classics.
Z4 Pocket Cruiser
In the June issue, for example, the 1930s Z4 'pocket cruiser' is featured. This well-known 22ft design by Harrison Butler delivered a cheap, efficient and comfortable family boat. It is considered equivalent to the Austin Seven in classic car circles, sound and capable rather than fast.
Around fifty were built by manufacturers like Alfred Lockhart Marine in Brentford throughout the 30s and 40s and over half are believed to be around today. Best of all, a good Z4 can be picked up for around £5,000 at the moment.
Wood is good
The Z4, like many boats considered classics today, is a wooden yacht. These not only represent good value for money but present challenges in maintenance and restoration - this of course being a lot of the appeal for many people. Many very usable and beautiful wooden yachts can be bought for between £5,000 and £10,000 today.
But what is interesting is that Classic Boat has been discovering lately that attractive, more modern GRP yachts can be bought for around the same price.
Contessa 26
The affordable classic for the May 2018 edition was a Contessa 26, a fibreglass-hulled yacht. Designed by Jeremy Rogers in Lymington, along with David Sadler, one of his customers, the Contessa was a redesigned GRP version of the ubiquitous Folkboat.
Around 350 were produced by Rogers from 1966 until 1977. Then the moulds were sold on so many more were built, including around 400 made by J. J. Taylors in Toronto.
What is 'classic'?
It's fair to say that the introduction of a GPR yacht into the 'classic' category might have been controversial. But there are many enthusiasts who would like a good-looking yacht and aren't interested in restoring and maintaining wood. Age and scarcity tends to make everything more valuable in the end and yachts like the Contessa 26 and the Westerly Centaur are now regarded as true classics.
The Centaur represents excellent value for money as over 2,500 were built. This means good examples can be found for £5,000, with the Westerly 22 around half that. Both boats, being built at a time when GRP was new technology, were very solidly constructed to satisfy Lloyd's.
What is 'affordable'?
Of course, what is 'affordable' for some can be completely different for someone else. Classic Boat talked of larger yachts like the Contessa 32, Nicholson 32 and SHE 32 which can be picked up from well under £20,000.
But there are also much cheaper options, like a wooden Wayfarer for £2,000 in excellent condition with a trailer. One without a trailer and needing a little work could cost a quarter of that.
Something for everyone
But the message is clear. Whatever your budget, if you fancy a classic boat that may or may not need some work, now is the time to buy.
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