The Whisstock’s Boatyard brochure at the time stated; “……these yachts have become a class by popular demand – being essentially tough, dry cruising boats with easily driven lines and proven ocean-going abilities. A cruising speed under sail or power of 7 knots is easily achieved...........”
The Whisstock’s Boatyard brochure at the time stated; “……these yachts have become a class by popular demand – being essentially tough, dry cruising boats with easily driven lines and proven ocean-going abilities. A cruising speed under sail or power of 7 knots is easily achieved...........”
Strong words perhaps but sister ships have proven all of this with their successful extended cruising – DICER’s current condition is impressive and she has benefitted from an owner who has cared so much she too is more than ready for either adventuring in warmer waters or simply day sailing from her berth on the Beaulieu River.
Brokers Comments
The Whisstock’s Boatyard brochure at the time stated; “……these yachts have become a class by popular demand – being essentially tough, dry cruising boats with easily driven lines and proven ocean-going abilities. A cruising speed under sail or power of 7 knots is easily achieved...........”
Strong words perhaps but sister ships have proven all of this with their successful extended cruising – DICER’s current condition is impressive and she has benefitted from an owner who has cared so much she too is more than ready for either adventuring in warmer waters or simply day sailing from her berth on the Beaulieu River.
History
DICER was built at Whisstocks Boatyard, Woodbridge in 1966 for Tom Bernard and named after his five children, David, Isabel, Clare, Elizabeth and Richard. In the late sixties she was bought by a surgeon doctor who continued to cruise around the East coast of England. In around 1974, DICER came into the hands of Roy Cook, Commodore of the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club. He owned her for around 20 years and in that time cruised her extensively round Europe and took her across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. In 1995 she came into the ownership of Richard Jordan; again a former commodore of the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club and a very good family friend of the current owner. Both a very talented yachtsman and boat builder he undertook her first major refit which included laying teak decks and converting her to wheel steering – reasonably described as a keel up restoration. In 2003 she was sold again to a Mr Howes but unfortunately despite his best efforts he was unable to maintain the boat, which spent most of her time lying in a mud berth in the River Itchen. It was there the current owner found her and took ownership in 2010.
Construction
- Iroko on English oak frames and Canadian rock elm timbers with iroko furniture
- Teak deck laid by Fairlie 1996
Accommodation and Domestic Equipment
- Pine interior joinery and cabin sole
- Chromed locker catches etc; Davey & Co
- Double berth in forepeak
- 2 x Single berths in Saloon
- Saloon table in pine with 2 folding leaves and storage box
- Settee berth cushions with Toomer & Hater waterproof suede fabric
- Curtains
- Stainless steel oil lamp
- 2 x Single berths in doghouse
- Head compartment refurbished with Baby Blake WC re enamelled and fittings re chromed
- Sink and shower both with hot & cold water
- Galley with Taylor 030 Paraffin Cooker, re enamelled black and serviced by maker
Sink with hot & cold water, Frigomatic fridge
- Numerous storage lockers
- 8 x Stainless Steel LED lamps throughout
- Hot water, approx. 15 L calorifier driven by the engine with an Immersion heater
Rig Spars and Sails
- Masthead 2 spreader main mast, with 2 Lewmar 6 halyard winches
- New stainless steel chain plates for main mast 2012
- Mizzen mast
- 2 x Halyard winches
- Schafer Genoa furling
- Mast track with batten cars
- Ratsey fully battened mainsail 1996 serviced in 2011
- Selden single line 2 reefing system for mainsail
- Ratsey Genoa 1996 restored in 2011
- Gouan Mizzen sail 1996 restored in 2011
- Canvas items all by Richardson Sails 2011
- Mainsail cover
- Genoa cover
- Mizzen cover
- Fore hatch cover
- Windlass cover
- Steering Binnacle cover
- Overall boat cover
Deck Equipment and Ground Tackle
- Lofrans Tigres 12 V electric windlass with Salt water deck wash
- 35 lb CQR Anchor with approx 30 metres chain
- 25 lb CQR kedge anchor
- 2 x Lewmar 48 self tailing chrome cockpit winches
- 1 x Lewmar electric halyard / reefing self tailing winch
- Whitlock wheel steering
- Cockpit shower with hot and cold water
- Stainless steel boarding ladder with fitted deck brackets
Mechanical Electrical and Tankage
- Volvo Penta MD2040 Diesel
- 1 x 12 V 105 A battery
- 1 x 12 V 75 A battery
- Victron battery charger
- 2 x Stainless steel fuel tanks c 32 gallons
- 2 x Stainless steel water tanks c 100 gallons
Navigation Communication and Electronics
- ST 60+ Speed, depth, wind
- E7 Raymarine plotter
- 2100 VHF with built in AIS
- Fusion FM radio with iPod dock
- 2 x 50 W saloon speakers
Safety
- Horseshoe life buoy and light
- Jon buoy inflatable Danbuoy
- AIS VHF
- Fire extinguisher
- Coastal flare kit
- Offshore first aid kit
- Bolt croppers
- Stainless steel emergency tiller
Restoration / Refit
1995 onwards
The first major refit significantly updating the boat was undertaken by Richard Jordan in 1995. Importantly the main fabric of the boat was sound and is therefore substantially as original. A file with all receipts and information covering this refit is available and will stay with the boat. Sat in a mud berth on the River Itchen for the best part of 5 years to 2010 left her in a sorry state; her new owner having Tom Richardson at Elephant boatyard undertake the refit which took around 18 months to complete. The dilapidated interior was substantially restored albeit maintaining the original pine joinery adding some features to conceal the modern electrics, instrumentation, water tanks etc. A full photographic record of the works done is available to interested parties. Again all receipts and information have been recorded. There are copies of surveys done in 1983, 1989, 1996 and 2003 and 2011.
2015 Refit
- New Prop Shaft fitted
- New flexible coupling fitted
- New Volvo Penta shaft seal fitted
- Engine Service
- Toe rails scrapped back to bare and 8 coats Epiphanes applied
- All other brightwork rubbed down and 4 coats of Epiphanes applied
- Top sides rubbed back, primed and 2 coats of Epiphanes Monoeurathne applied
- 4 coats Micros extra applied
- New rudder pin fitted at the foot of the rudder locates into a gudgeon at the foot of the keel
- All sails and covers laundered at tip top sails and coated with relevant protection
- New anode and bolts fitted
Other Equipment
DICER
