Classic Shetland Zulu Gaff Cutter for sale in Brittany, France United Kingdom

Wooden Ships Comments on this Shetland Zulu Gaff Cutter

Shetland Zulu fishing vessel built in Fraserburgh, Scotland in 1924.

Originally rigged as a lugger she was used for fishing off the Shetland Isles, heading out for herring mainly. These boats were built strong, tough and very seaworthy to cope with the waters north of Scotland all year round. Between 1950 and 1980 she became a service boat in Lerwick used as a pilot vessel and serving as a mail boat for the island of Foula.

In 1980 she was sold into private ownership and converted into a yacht, subsequently receiving a major refit in 1990 with new decks, rig and interior. After being sold to France she was again given a major overhaul with a complete refastening of the hull. She has been in the present ownership since 2007 and has been steadily improved and upgraded in between extensive cruising around northern Europe.

Length on Deck 41’10” (12.75m)

Length Overall 53’3” (16.5m)

Beam 14’2” (4.3m)

Draft 5’3” (1.6m)

Air Draft 52’6” (16m)

Construction

• Larch planking fastened to sawn oak frames with galvanised boat nails.
• Marine plywood deck laid in 2003, sheathed in epoxy glass cloth.
• Bulwark all round set on stanchions.
• Central coachroof with varnished coamings and a sheathed plywood coachroof deck. Sliding companion hatch set on the coachroof.
• Deep self draining cockpit made from marine plywood. Some sections of the plywood need replacing due to rot damage.

Rig

• Gaff cutter rig with a keel stepped hollow mast made in 2013 using Oregon pine.
• Hollow Oregon pine gaff yard. 2013 varnished spruce roller reefing boom.
• All new standing rigging in 2013. Galvanised wire rigging and rigging screws to external galvanised chain plates.
• Full sail wardrobe including a 2017 jib.
• Facnor furling system for the jib.

Machinery

• Ford Mermaid 4cyl 90hp diesel engine.
• Newage PRM 302 gearbox to a fixed 3 blade bronze propeller.
• 180 litre stainless steel fuel tank
• 400 litre fresh water tank
• 2 x 6 volt batteries of 300ah supplying 12 volts to boat systems.
• 1 x 12 volt engine start battery.

Accommodation

• 6 berths including 3 double berths. Double aft cabin, double forward cabin and a double in the saloon with the table dropped down.
• Steps down from the cockpit into the main cabin. To port is the heads compartment with a Blakes Lavac sea toilet that discharges directly overboard. Hand basin and full standing shower with hot and cold pressurised water.
• To starboard is a double quarter cabin with a large double berth and standing headroom plus storage lockers
• Main saloon has a dinette seating area to port where the table drops down to form a large double berth.
• To starboard is a half size admiralty chart desk and forward of this is the galley.
• Galley has a 2 burner gas stove with oven and grill, twin stainless steel sink with hot and cold pressurised water plus lots of storage.
• Reflex diesel fired cabin heater on the forward bulkhead.
• Ducking down through the door into the forecabin with a large double berth to starboard.
• Large storage space with shelves and lockers to port, a space that could contain a single berth if required.
• Door into the forepeak where there is a workshop and bosuns stores with lots of storage space.