Laurent-Giles-KingFisher Harwich Boatcraft for sale in United Kingdom

This Laurent Giles Kingfisher was built in 1991 by Harwich Boatcraft (licensed builder of Laurent Giles designs). This two berth gaff rigged sloop is built from epoxied marine ply and some mahogany. The spars are solid Douglas fir. The hand finished tan sails were designed by Wilkinsons and include main, topsail, jib and storm jib. The jib furling is Wickham Martin.
The galvanised steel lifting centre plate is managed by winch in a well locker. 

This Laurent Giles Kingfisher was built in 1991 by Harwich Boatcraft (licensed builder of Laurent Giles designs). This two berth gaff rigged sloop is built from epoxied marine ply and some mahogany. The spars are solid Douglas fir. The hand finished tan sails were designed by Wilkinsons and include main, topsail, jib and storm jib. The jib furling is Wickham Martin.
The galvanised steel lifting centre plate is managed by winch in a well locker. 
The boat also features a Mercury 4hp Saildrive 2 stroke outboard engine mounted in the well. 
All the woodwork, strakes, handrails, cabin fittings, belay pins have been constructed to make this little boat eye-catching. The hemp lookalike rigging gives an authentic feel.
The over boom tent awning is “broads style” with side arms. This can provide additional sleeping for an adult or two children. There is storage space under berths and in the well lockers. (The awning needs renewal and this is reflected in the price).
This little boat is full of character and ideal for estuary and coastal cruising. 

Details

Vessel type: trailer sailer Designer: Laurent Giles Builder: Robert Fenton (harwich boatcraft) Make: Laurent Giles Model: Kingfisher Year constructed: 1991 Sail number: KF10 Berths: 2 No. of engines: 1 Engine power: 4 Fuel type: Petrol (Gas) Drive type: Outboard Length over all: 4.80m Beam: 2.18m Maximum draft: 0.48m Hull material: Wood Hull type: displacement Hull colour: green Keel type: Lifting Keel Displacement: 900 kg

Engine

The engine is a Mercury Saildrive 4HP two stroke. The Saildrive means that it can be used for charging a battery. It is an inboard outboard. The space for the engine was specially constructed. The engine has an internal tank and the engine can run for a couple of hours or so. The mixture is 1 twostroke oil to 50 petrol. The mixture can be leaner for short runs. 
There is a reverse gear.
The engine remains in place when towing. It is forward of tiller and number plate.

Construction

The boat was built by Harwich Boatcraft using marine ply and epoxy resin. The keel is hardwood shielded by metal. All had been built to the highest standard. The absence of "metal" adds to the attraction of the construction. The plywood sides have a chine and, when sailing hard, this chine helps holds the boat rigid at an angle. The deck and roof have stood up to the weight of sailors with no sign of "give". Note the quadrants at front and rear of sides. These are all part of the design to give strength. The strakes along the side give protection.
The basic plans give the impression the boat could be built and look amateur. This professional builder is a licensed builder of Laurent Giles designs. He has subtly curved the plywood eg the stern and this turns a plywood boat into an elegant craft. 
The roof is curved. The hardwood, such as the handrails on the roof, are curved.
The rudder is ply and mainly hardwood. It is very substantial. It can be lifted off the pins for maintenance.

Accomodation

The cabin has 2 bunks with the feet in "trotter" boxes. The cabin floor is a step down from the cockpit deck and gives good seated headroom. The hatch opens over the cabin and gives standing room. The mast is supported by a turned wood pole. The cabin floor is flat and has brass fittings to lift each section. The lifting keel box is underneath the floor. The wooden slats on the back of the bunks keeps occupants away from the sides. At the front are two portholes (non opening). At each side there are opening portholes.There is a shelf with storage underneath. Below this is lead shot ballast. 
Under the beds are deep storage lockers.
The cover gives living space if in sheltered water. It is designed to have standing room. The side arms help make a tent. The locker tops could be for a child to sleep. The cover goes over the cabin so sliding cabin door could be open. The cover has windows and back and sides tie back. This is a comfortable living area with cooking locker.

Equipment

The main ballast is lead shot. Under the floor are sandbags.
The lifting keel has a winch in a cockpit locker. The wire to the keel is under the slatted wood floor.
The front hatch is a large storage area for anchor, boat cover when sailing etc. The forward locker is large. It is separated from the cabin by a solid panel. 
In the cockpit are various lockers eg cutlery.
The trailer is galvanised steel and was made for this boat. The main fittings are Alko. Bearings have been regularly greased and serviced. There is a spare wheel. The break back trailer has rollers to allow easy entry to water. When retrieving there are guide rollers to lock boat square. The winch is Alko and we chose to have a safe, comfortably wound, type not reliant on a ratchet. The winch cable attaches to the front of the boat for retrieval. The boat rests on pads and rollers for travelling. Straps keep the boat secure.

Sails &Amp; Spars

The sloop rig has a mast fixed to a tabernacle over the deck. The tabernacle is for raising and lowering mast. The mast has a stainless steel wire forestay to the bowsprit and two wirestays on each side of the boat. These are tightened using traditional rope. The sails were made by Wilkinsons of Faversham. They are red dutch, sewn and hand finished traditionally. The mainsail has one set of reefing points. The sail is raised by halyards attached to belay pins at the bottom of the mast. There is a topsail. This is also raised from the bottom of the mast. The mainsail uses traditonal wooden blocks. The "horse" is strongly constructed. The jibsail is attached to the bowsprit and uses traditonal wykeham martin furling. It is raised from the belay pins at bottom of the mast. The furling gear is worked using a cleat in the cockpit. There are 6 belay pins. One is used for topping lift.