Custom Boats Deben Cherub for sale in Suffolk United Kingdom

Wooden Ships comments on this Deben Cherub

Deben Cherub sailing yacht, the 6th yacht built out of 17 in total, launched in 1931 at Eversons & Sons of Woodbridge where every example of this class was built. In the original adverts for the class the price for a new boat was £160 or £200 for one with a Stuart Turner inboard engine.

Rebuilt at the same yard, now called The Woodbridge Boat Yard, in 2020 and currently under the care of the yard awaiting a new owner.

The Deben Cherub was designed and built at Eversons & Sons for competitive class racing on the River Deben. 17 boats were built in total, the first called Cherub, between 1924 and 1937 and were raced successfully in the confines of the river for many years, competing for the Cherub Cup every season.

There are now 5 boats back in Woodbridge and in sailing trim, 2 others await restoration, so a resurgence of the 20th century racing has been seen, and it is hoped with high quality examples such as this one the fleet will attract more people and the numbers will grow in what is an active and friendly sailing fleet of classic yachts.

In order to get the maximum volume for their short length, the hull shape is very full, but with their jaunty sheer line and short counter they look very pretty while still being practical.

This yacht was bought by the present owner in 2019 and taken to The Woodbridge Boat Yard for a major refit which was completed in 2020. The yard was given recognition for a previous refit of another Cherub, Ariel, which won the prize for Classic Boat Restoration of the Year in her size category in 2020. The hull was repaired as necessary, deck structure was replaced entirely, a new interior fitted along with a new inboard engine. According to the yard she is the ‘finest example of a Deben cherub anywhere’ which is high praise indeed. She has plenty of history with her along with all refit invoices going back to 1997 and extensive ownership records.

Length on Deck 21’3”

Length Waterline 18’6”

Beam 7’

Draft 2’8”

Construction

Carvel planked in 1” pitch pine all copper rivet fastened to steam bent Canadian Rock Elm timbers. Varnished teak sheer strake with a gold cove line, a traditional feature of the Cherubs.

Various new planks and new oak stem fitted during the refit.

Oak centreline structure

The steamed timbers stretch from gunwhale to gunwhale to add strength. She also has large grown oak floors across the centreline with keel bolts passing through these floors.

External iron ballast keel fastened with mild steel keel bolts new in 2008. 1 bolt withdrawn and inspected in 2019, found to be sound.

Complete new deck in Robbins Elite marine plywood, sheathed externally in epoxy glass cloth and finished in non-slip deck paint.

New varnished iroko toe rails set just inboard of the deck edge.

Coackroof structure is all new with varnished iroko coamings and a sheathed plywood coachroof deck.

Non-self draining cockpit with painted plywood sole boards and varnished pine bench thwart either side. Engine and engine box offset in the cockpit.

Rig

Gaff sloop rig on a keel stepped varnished wooden mast with a high peak gaff. Varnished wooden boom, gaff yard and bowsprit.

New mast just made for the boat in 2023. All other spars stripped and varnished in 2019.

Mix of stainless steel and galvanised standing rigging to external galvanised chain plates.

Boom gallows on the aft deck.

Mainsail and jib approximately 10 years old and little used, good condition.

Machinery

12hp twin cylinder 2 stroke Dolphin petrol engine fitted brand new in 2020.

These are very quiet, smooth and reliable petrol engines which are a superb alternative to the standard diesel inboard for a small boat of this type. The engine is as new and totally ready to go.

Complete new stern tube and shaft set up fitted in 2020. Fixed 2 blade bronze propeller.

30 litre plastic fuel tank in aft cockpit locker.

Single 12 volt battery charged from the engine alternator.

Accommodation

Simple interior with sitting headroom and 2 single berths.

Steps down into the cabin with joinery either side that can be used as galley and worktop space.

A single settee berth either side with smart new blue cushions.