Features
The 1932 9-Ton Hillyard 'Billy Blue' offers a wide array of sailing opportunities due to her versatile Bermudan cutter rig. She embraces in abundance the sailing pleasures of a bygone era. Enthusiastically restored by the current ownership, 'Billy Blue' is now presented in excellent cosmetic condition. It is rare to find wooden boats of this age in such condition. Hillyard’s of Littlehampton are part of boat building folk-lore and these hand crafted vessels continue to find favour with the 'traditional sailor' entertaining the charms of solid wood construction. The exact number of yachts built by Hillyard's is not known but it could have been as many as 800 but there are records of around 600 with tonnages between 2.5 and 29.
Recent works include: Complete paint and varnish refit inside and out, recently replaced spray hood and cockpit cover, refurbished engine.
A full list of work is available.
Navigation
- STANDARD HORIZON VHF radio with DSC
- CLIPPER Depth / Speed indicator.
- Compass
- Windex (at top of mast)
Electrical
- 2 x 12 V Batterys (110 A/hr)
- 240V Main Ring
- 4 x Outlets
Mechanical
- BUKH DV20 20hp 2 cylinder watercooled 4 stroke diesel engine with reduction gearbox conventionally driving through a stainless steel shaft and a 3-bladed propeller
Service History: In 2016/17 the engine was removed and the water system flushed out and repainted, etc.
Tankage
- Fuel: 50 ltr stainless steel diesel tank
- Water: 75 ltr stainless steel tank
Safety
- 1 life buoy
- 1 auto fire extinguisher
- 2 Bilge Pumps (1 auto, 1 manual)
- Lifesling
- Danbuoy
Sails and Rig
Traditional (Red) Hillyard sail wardrobe comprises:
Main Sail (with slab reefing)
Working Jib
Storm Jib
Cruising Chute
The mast and spars are thought to be Douglas Fir (probably original). the mast was un-stepped in 2016/17 for re-varnishing and for the fittings to be checked and re painted.
Accommodation
FROM AFT
Cockpit-
-Tiller steering to aft, with cockpit remote VHF hand control.
- Engine controls to stbd on foot well bulkhead.
- Most control lines are fed aft to the cockpit
- Halyard winches on mast
- Seating to port and stbd of cockpit with storage areas below.
- Bulkhead mounted compass.
Main Cabin:
Companionway to accommodation - to stbd is the chart table with poistioned navigation equipment. Opposite is the GALLEY area has a sink with cold water pump and gas hob /oven with extractor fan. Forward are bench seats/berths (P&S) with stowage spaces behind and under. Four por tholes on each side on the bulkhead and an overhead 'Butterfly' skylight hatch gives the accommodation area a generous amount of light. Continuing forward to port is the HEADS compartment with sea toilet, wash basin and stowage area opposite. The FORWARD CABIN area is used as storage area for the sails and there is a single berth to port.
Re-fit by current ownership-
- Upholstery
- Iroko structural floors
- Mahogany coach house
- Sprayhood (2017)
- Re painted (2017)
- Re varnished throughout (Including mast and boom) (2017)
See video for internal walkthrough.
Deck
- Furling equipment
- CQR Anchor, Warp and Chain
- Mooring lines
- Fenders
- Boat Hook
- Covers
- Spare ropes
- Bow Sprite
- Running Backstays
Owner Comments
"Built next to Arther Ransome's famous 'Nancy Blackett', Billy is a very sound and sea-kindly classic yacht. She has provided us with years of wonderful sailing, mainly on the South coast and across the Channel."
