Wooden Ships Comments on this 43′ Robert Clark Sloop
Robert Clark 43’ Bermudan sloop, design No.223.
Built by Berthon Ltd in 1962 to Lloyds 100A1 standard.
This yacht was put through an extensive refit between 2014 and 2016 by the present owners which included hull repairs, checking keel bolts, replacing floor bolts, upgraded interior, rebuilt engine and all new systems. Full and detailed list of works done below.
This Robert Clark design is a superb boat, big enough to give comfortable interior space with 5 berths and 6’2” headroom. She has a waterline length enough to give her good pace, covering miles with ease while on passage but she is easy to handle and this yacht has been sailed extensively by her husband and wife owners.
The original build quality is top class with teak and pitch pine planking, arguably two of the best timbers to be used in yacht construction.
A really lovely example of 1960’s British naval architecture, sympathetically upgraded and modernised but keeping her original patina and charm. Original plans from Clark included.
Length on deck 43’2”
Length waterline 30’5”
Beam 10’1”
Draft 6’4”
Thames Tonnage 15TM
Sail area 720sqft
Construction
- Carvel planked in teak above the waterline, pitch pine below the water. Hull re-splined in the refit.
- All copper rivet fastened to Canadian Rock Elm timbers.
- External lead ballast keel of approximately 5 tons, fastened with bronze bolts. Last drawn in 2014 and found in good condition.
- Strap floors are a mix of galvanised steel and some new stainless steel. All bolts replaced using stainless in 2015 and 3 floors replaced with stainless steel.
- Solid yacht laid teak deck screw fastened to the deck beams. Varnished teak king plank, covering boards and toe rails. Deck refurbished and sections of toe rail replaced in 2015.
- Original bronze deck fittings.
- Coachroof has a slightly raised dog house aft for extra headroom below. Varnished teak coamings and a sheathed plywood cooachroof deck.
- Self draining cockpit with varnished teak thwarts and scrubbed teak sole gratings.
- Tiller steering
Rig
- Masthead Bermudan sloop rig on an alloy deck stepped mast. New mast in 2011.
- Varnished spruce slab reefing boom.
- Stainless steel standing rigging new in 2011 to internal stainless steel chain plates. All new chain plates in 2015.
- Furlex 310S roller furling headsail system
- 2 pairs of original Gibb Bronze cockpit sheet winches.
- 2 self tailing mast winches and 3 bronze reefing winches on the boom.
- Mainsail refurbished in 2015. Genoa new in 2005 (refurbished 2020), asymmetric spinnaker new in 2005 and hardly used. Storm jib also included.
- Running rigging replaced in 2015 with all new varnished Ash blocks from Davey & Co.
Machinery
- Mercedes Benz OM621 4cyl 55hp diesel engine.
- Engine had a complete rebuild in 2009 with further upgrades and work done in 2015. All new wiring and starting system including pre-heat, injectors refurbished, new alternator and exhaust.
- Hurth gearbox to a centreline fixed 3 blade bronze propeller gives a cruising speed of 6 knots.
- 150 litres of diesel in 2 x 75 litre stainless fuel tanks under the cockpit thwarts. All new fuel system and Racor filters.
- 200 litres of fresh water in 2 galvanised tanks under the saloon cabin sole.
- 3 x 12 volt batteries charged from the engine alternator with a sterling regulator.
- Installed shore power system with a sterling ProCharge Ultra 30amp smart battery charger. Wind turbine charging.
- Sterling 240 volt inverter.
- 1 x manual bilge pump and 1 x auto electric bilge pump. Engine driven salvage pump.
- Pressurised salt water deck pump.
Accommodation
- 5 berths including a double berth in the forecabin, 2 saloon settee berths and a quarter berth.
- 6’2” headroom in the saloon.
- Interior has an original feel with much original joinery and fittings. Updated in recent years with all new upholstery and systems. New internal lights from Davey & Co. To match originals.
- Steps down over the engine box with galley to port. ENO Gascogne 3 burner galley stove with oven and grill fitted new in 2015. Double stainless sink with pressurised hot and cold water. Nature Pure drinking water filter system.
- Chart desk to starboard folds down over the quarter berth. Berth stretches aft under the cockpit thwart.
- Half height bulkheads with grab handles on the corners separate off the main saloon.
- Port and starboard settee berths with storage behind and lockers under the deck head.
- Scrubbed teak sole boards with a centreline drop leaf mahogany saloon table.
- Reflex diesel cabin heater against the forward bulkhead.
- Port side passage going forward with storage lockers to port outboard.
- Heads compartment to starboard with a Baby Blake sea toilet that discharges directly overboard. Hand basin with hot and cold pressurised water.
- Forecabin has 2 single V-berths with an infill to create a sizeable double. Drawers beneath the berths with lockers and a hanging locker.
- Sail locker in the forepeak.
Equipment
- Plastimo steering compass
- TackTick depth and log with dual displays.
- ICOM M506 DSC VHF with AIS
- ICOM AIS
- Windex
- Seago 6 person canister life raft
- Throwing line
- Manual bilge pump
- Auto electric bilge pump
- Engine driven salvage pump
- 2 x fire extinguishers
- 2 spreader mounted deck lights
- Foredeck light
- Loud hailer on mast connected to VHF
- Kobra 12 volt anchor windlass (not functioning)
- CQR anchor
- 75m of 8mm Aqua7 grade chain
- Danforth anchor with 12’ chain plus warp
- Silent Wind 420 watts wind turbine
- Sterling 30amp Pro Charge ultra battery charger
- Sterling alternator charge regulator
- 3 x 12 volt batteries
- Fresh water deck wash
- Heavy weight and lightweight mainsail covers
- Sprayhood
- Covers for dorade boxes, hatches and anchor windlass
- Teak boarding ladder
- Baby Blake sea toilet
- Removable teak cockpit table
- Cockpit cushions
- Galley Equipment
- ENO Gascogne 3 burner gas stove with oven and grill
- Fridge (not working)
- Cabin oil lamps
