The Minstrel was a development of the collaboration between Hunter Boats and David Thomas that had previously led to the Hunter Liberty with twin masts and a 'Cat' rig. The gunter-rigged Minstrel followed-on and sports slightly more sail area with a consequently better off-wind speed without having to recourse to additional sails. 'Rosie' is a relatively late (sail No.
The Minstrel was a development of the collaboration between Hunter Boats and David Thomas that had previously led to the Hunter Liberty with twin masts and a 'Cat' rig. The gunter-rigged Minstrel followed-on and sports slightly more sail area with a consequently better off-wind speed without having to recourse to additional sails. 'Rosie' is a relatively late (sail No. 110) - factory built - example of the Minstrel/Liberty, that appears to have been much loved in each of her five ownerships, but in this, the latest has seen much upgrading and important replacement of equipment and inventory.
The Minstrel represents a trailer-sailer that is about as easy as it gets by way of trailing and set-up, with a super-shallow draught for exploring the upper reaches of rivers and estuaries and a practical accommodation for one or two people. The sailing reviews express surprise at the Minstrel's sailing ability - even with the keel up, and the outboard engine's well, located on the centreline, forward of the rudder ensures immediate response under power as well as under sail.
A new set of spars supplements a barely used, recent (Feb. 2019) Yamaha F6MHA 6HP 'Sailmate' engine; new running rigging and modernised instrumentation, while the road trailer and 'piggy-back' launching dolly appears to be in in good and fully roadworthy condition - the current boatyard's engineer has been commissioned to inspect and service the wheels and brakes prior to the marketing of this very complete package.
Accommodation
Based on an 'open-plan' main cabin, with a separate heads' compartment located to port side (alongside the offset companionway) the Minstrel's accommodation offers up to three berths, with two berths forward and a single quarter berth to the starboard side, beneath the cockpit seat on that side.
A hot air heater (Paraffin), located within the heads' compartment has a single hot air outlet in the forward end of the cabin.
The seating/forward berths take a U-shaped form, located well forward in the hull about a table support post on which the table is mounted. The table can be raised to the deck head when not in use, leaving a cleared floor space to maximise the sense of space. Under-berth volume is used as closed lockers for storage, while a deeply fiddle shelf to the hull sides doubles as more storage and an upholstered back rest.
A toughened glass 'Houdini' hatch over provides light and ventilation and combines with relatively large coach roof windows to make for a light and welcoming interior.
Artificial light is provided by a single fluorescent light on the centreline, plus 2 off filament bulb overhead lights, with a gimballing Paraffin lamp mounted on the forward bulkhead for ambience.
A CD/radio unit is fitted.
Galley Area: A wooden-built galley unit features a metal lined cooker space that originally accommodated a two-burner gas cooker hob with a grill under, but the current owner of the boat wanted to dispense with LPG on board and replaced that cooker with a two-burner alcohol (methylated spirit) stove by Origo. The gas supply system has been retained and the gas stove is included (loose) in 'Rosie's sale inventory. The space saved in the fitting of the alcohol cooker has been utilised with a dedicated 'pots and pans' stowage beneath, supplementing an original cave locker accessed from the forward side at the foot of the galley unit. At the upper level, a stainless steel sink is provided with hand-pumped freshwater (stored within a 50 litre water tank/bag located beneath the port-hand seating in 1998) and has a fiddled work surface/drainer alongside. Saucepans and cutlery, plus a minimal set of crockery for two persons have been left on board.
Navigation Area: Moving aft, a closed wooden unit is mounted on slides within timber uprights facing the centreline, outboard of a footwell to starboard of the keel casing. The latter is provided with a wider than otherwise hardwood capping so that a Navigator may sit at the companionway facing the starboard side for chart work.
Quarter Berth: The quarter berth runs aft of the chart working area and serves as a useful 'bulk' stowage area for sails, cushions, and inflatable dinghy (this latter not included in the sale inventory) as well as an occasional sleeping berth. Inboard of this berth and running parallel and immediately to starboard of the keel's case is a stowage space used for fenders, warps etc.
Heads Compartment: Opposite the chart working area and immediately to port of the companionway is a dedicated and genuinely separate heads compartment. This is closed from the rest of the accommodation by means of a zipped canvas 'door' made using sailcloth, that maybe neatly rolled and 'clewed up' for easy access and when the compartment is not occupied. Access to the compartment is slightly compromised by the need to step over the keel housing, but space within the compartment is relatively good for a boat of this size, with fiddled shelving and indeed room for the heater unit found here too. The toilet is a marine flushing (overboard, beneath the waterline) RM69 unit.
Sails And Spars
Rigged as a Gunter-rigged sloop on wooden spars, a previously fitted roller-reefing system has been dispensed with in favour of a conventional for'stay with hanked headsails for ease and reliability in use.
All the spars are new in 2022 (by Marcus Lewis of Fowey) and beautifully finished with fresh varnish.
The mainsail has been modified, with a third reef added and the running rigging (much of it absolutely new) is brought back to the aft end of the coachroof; all to be handled from the cockpit for ease of short-handed sailing.
Sails
- Mainsail with supplementary reef points.
- New (unused) Jib by Jeckells Sails.
- Previous Jib; still with its bolt rope to suit the previous furling system.
Mechanical And Electrical Systems
Yamaha F6MHA Sailmate, four-stroke outboard engine (New in 2019) rated at 6 HP that fits in a centre-line well ahead of the rudder.
The engine has only seen very light and minimal use due to the COVID lockdowns, combined with the owner's ill health and has been serviced by the suppliers; Treluggan Boatyard, before being put in store. The engine may be seen running in the boatyard's outboard test tank if required, upon viewing 'Rosie'.
A single 12V DC lead acid battery is securely carried and located within the heads' compartment; charged by the outboard engine when running and maintained by a 20W photo-voltaic ('solar') panel, with regulator by 'Kemo' that was fitted in April 2014.
Navigation Equipment & Sailing Instrumentation.
- Raymarine ST30 Log for speed through the water.
- ST30 echosounder for depth display.
- Lowrance Elite-7M chart plotter with Navionics 'Gold' cartography 'card' (fitted for 2016 season).
- Contest bulkhead- mounted steering compass.
- Aneroid barometer.
Deck & Loose Equipment
- Outboard engine security lock and protective cover.
- 5 off inflatable fenders
- White mainsail cover, cut to accommodate the lazy jacks
- Un-used Delta anchor, chain and warp.
- 'Manual' foghorn.
- Red ensign and staff.
- Tiller extension
- TP100 tiller pilot.
- Loose, 5 litre water carrier.
- 1 off winch handle for the centreplate's winch.
Safety Equipment
- Navico RT6100 (non GMDSS or DSC capable) VHF radio.
- 150N automatic life jacket (un-checked or serviced).
- Fire blanket.
- 1kg, dry powder fire extinguisher.
- Pilot gas alarm by Plastimo.
- Hand torch.
General note on any safety equipment:Any safety equipment such as life rafts, EPIRBs, fire extinguishers and flares etc. are usually personal to the current owner(s) and if being left on-board as part of the sale of a used vessel may require routine servicing, replacement, or changing to meet a new owners specific needs.
