Pettersson Smuggler Racer for sale in Henley-on-Thames United Kingdom

A classic Scandinavian weekender

A few words from the vendor:

"I fell in love with Neptune from the moment I saw her in the HSC yard at Beale Park back in 2020. Since then, aided by comments from so many others, I have realised more and more that she is indeed a particularly special boat. Her layout and very social open cockpit arrangement, her ease of handling (single handed is a doddle), her many lovely little features (check out her cabin door), her intriguing Swedish history and of course how truly beautiful she looks. Favourite things? Run her up on a sandy beach on the river somewhere and go for a swim. Go on a trip for a few days as she is a great ‘weekender’ boat. Or simply tie up to the riverbank one afternoon and have supper with friends before meandering home at dusk, watching birdlife. Honestly, this makes one’s heart sing and all of life’s worries seem to melt away.

Neptune was in very good shape when I bought her as she was professionally maintained by Alastair Garland who really lifted her to a new level by dealing with the bigger items. I have sharpened her up from that with the details, making her more comfortable and user friendly and generally maintaining her to a high standard. Oh, and I carried out a thorough external overhaul in 2023.

As you can tell, I am still in love with the old girl, and I am sure she will delight her new owner….."

Carvel construction in Oregon pine and Mahogany

• Engine : Synergie (Citroen) 50HP diesel (installed new 2010)
• Engine stern mounted with V drive to single propeller.
• Cable and pulley steering gear (new)
• 2 berth cabin / portable WC
• hand-basin / gas hob / fridge in the cockpit
• Ideal for coast, lake or river

I was lucky enough to encounter Neptune on her visit to the Thames in 2019 for the Traditional Boat Festival. What an elegant and unusual sight. I subsequently sold her to a UK boater on the Upper Thames for whom I am therefore delighted to be able to act as broker 5 years on. In fact I first saw mention of Neptune at a yard full of classic boats down on Cap Ferret which by chance I had visited about fifteen years ago when I had been viewing boats in that area and had purchased a couple of Bahama boats from the Ile de Re. The broker there had a couple of sheds stuffed with interesting boats in various states of repair. The previous owner of Neptune was equally seduced and made an offer for his boat which he then repatriated and entrusted to the care of master boatbuilder Alastair Garland. For any future owner there is a complete list of all the work which was carried out to bring the boat up to the excellent standard which the current owner has since maintained following the intial refurbishment between 2013 and 2017 with a full revarnish in 2023 following filming of 'Boys in the Boat' directed locally by George Clooney and which tells the story of an epic win by the rowing team from Seattle at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Neptune fitted the story wonderfully well.

Neptune is of a typical design used around the many Baltic Islands off the Swedish coast and around the archipelago. One thinks of Swedish summerhouses on scattered islands accessible only by motorboat.

The design is attributed to the renowned naval architect Carl Gustav Pettersson, but the actual build yard and early Swedish history is not known.

At some point she has been converted to V drive and the engine moved aft and in the 1990’s the boat was being used as a “live aboard” by a Swedish family prior to being purchased by the aforementioned French classic boat enthusiast and collector in 1997.

An acknowledged expert in wooden vessels and at one time owner of a small maritime museum, the new French owner imported the boat to France under the name“Michigan” for use in the Bay of Arcachon near Bordeaux. Here an initial restoration was undertaken with a change of name to “Neptune”. She became a well known sight in the bay inspiring an article in the well known national boating magazine, “Yachting Classique”.

In 2009/10 and in preparation for an eventual sale, further work, including a change of engine, had been commenced when the previous English owner acquired the boat.

At this time  and unsurprisingly it was found that Neptune required much more work than originally envisaged. As a result the decision was made to place her in the hands of a recognized UK boat restorer  – Alastair Garland Restorations.

Over a three year period Alastair carried out an in depth restoration of both the hull and machinery.  The boat was first re-launched for preliminary trials on the Solent and in Poole harbour in 2016. After some more fettling in 2017 Neptune was transported by trailer to the Thames for her first full season in the UK. Nonetheless the French registration papers are available should a new owner wish to take her back to Europe for some extended cruising. Indeed at 2325 kgs the boat is eminently trailable behind the right vehicle. 

Summary of works carried out between Oct 2013 to June 2017

Hull                                                             

Removal of old paint from bottom.

Replace stern knee

Replacement of broken ribs.

Remove and re-bed skin fittings

Making good or new planking and caulking where required in bottom.

Prime and repaint bottom inc anti-fouling

Renewed rudder and tube.

Remove hydraulic steering unit and replace with cable & pulley system

Topsides                                                    

Repair, sand, re-caulk and paint or varnish decks and coach-roof

Engine, Ancillaries & Transmission   

Removal and refit Engine and mountings.

Fit new fuel tank and system.

Fit new fresh water cooling system.

Fit new exhaust system.

Restore and refit throttle and gear change controls

Remove, restore and refit stern tube, new A bracket, tail bearing and prop-shaft coupling.

Remove, repair & refit V drive transmission unit.

Remove repair gearbox and couplings and bearings

Cockpit & Cabin                                  

Remove and re-bed cabin windows

Fit all new floor-bearers in cockpit and cabin

Clean up and repaint bilges

Make up, varnish and fit new cabin & cockpit floorboards

Commission and install Cockpit Spray Hood and Boat Cover

Install sound proof insulation and partitions to engine bay

Fitting Out                                                                  

Miscellaneous fixtures & fittings

Check all electrics and renew as required.

Renew bearers, secure batteries & fit battery charger

Gas fittings to comply with SBSS.

Install built in fire extinguisher system in engine bay.

FULL HULL CHECK AND REVARNISH IN 2023.

BSS certificate valid to 2028. Current EA licence

Viewing on the Upper Thames by appointment

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.