Description
Keel/Hull: Displacement hull with a centre board, external keel and transom-hung rudder. History & Construction: Idle Duck Is a Maurice Griffiths One Off Classic designed yacht. Maurice explained its conception in a three-page article reprinted by Yachting Monthly in July 1973. Built in 1962 by James Miller & Sons, a Scottish Yard renowned for their high standard in constructing Yachts and Fishing boats. The monohull has a Carvel constructed hull which is heavily built using 1 3/8”Iroko planks fastened with copper roves over 2” x 1 1/2” English Oak frames closely spaced at 7” centres with 2 1/2” x 3/8” Bronze floor frames at every 3rd frame. The outside lead ballasted centre board keel weighs about 2.35 tons and, when raised, gives the yacht a draft of 3’ 6” and 6’ 3” when fully down. It can be raised and lowered from the cockpit. Only a small part of the case protrudes in the cabin sole and forms part of the support for the drop leaf table. The case also has a small hatch in the top above the water line, which can be opened while afloat to give access to the lifting tackle or to force the board down to clear mud or stones after lying aground. There is a preventer system built in, which in the unlikely event of a shackle or pendant failure the board cannot swing right down and be damaged or lost. The yacht now has a masthead Bermudan Sloop rig with wooden spars supported by all Stainless steel stays. The vessel benefits from a furling headsail, Slab reefing main sail rigged with lazy jacks and stack pack. There is a substantial wooden bow sprit supported between mooring posts which provides secure storage for the main anchor and gives the foredeck a purposeful appearance. The current owners enlisted the skills of shipwright Alan Staley based at his yard at Faversham Creek (Kent) in 2006 - 2010 to complete a major restoration and upgrade of Idle Duck with no expense spared shortly after they purchased her. The work involved the sympathetic remodelling of the coach roof and cockpit which involved the installation of new beams, a butterfly opening hatch, a complete new deck and repairs to the hull planking. Once launched the boat was rewired and modernised with new navigation and safety equipment. This yacht captured the hearts of many classic enthusiasts as they watched her restoration. Additional photos of Idle Duck as it is today can be viewed along with those covering the full restoration when viewing the vessel or on the brokers web site. There is also a copy of the Yachting Monthly article available on request. Below decks the accommodation is straightforward with a traditional fine finish and plenty of space for living quarters for four people with standing headroom throughout. The cabin feels light and airy with ample room for people to relax around the table for meals and drinks in the evenings. The Perkins 4.107 diesel engine can give a fair 7 knots, and carries enough fuel for approximately 50 hours running at a cruising speed of 6 knots. This yacht is being sold as the owner has passed away, and she now requires a new loving owner to take care of her. Marine Insurance: As one of the UK’s largest Brokers with over 700 boats for sale we can introduce you to Boat Insurance providers that offer all types of Boat Insurance, including insurance for Yachts, Sailing Boats, Motor Cruisers, Narrowboats, Inland Waterway Craft, Barges, Houseboats, Speedboats, Rigid Inflatable Boats, Waterski Boats, Jet Skis, Personal Watercraft and Dinghies. Just click on the following link to request an insurance quote for this boat or your current boat: *** Mechanical : Spars & Sails: Mast Head Bermudan rig with a Single spreader wooden mast and boom, stainless steel standing rigging, Terylene Mainsail with slab reefing lazy Jacks, Stacker pack and a roller furling headsail. Winches: 2 x Sheet Winches – Gibb 8CR 2 x Halyard Winches – Barlow 2 x Cockpit mounted Coaming Winches – Barlow Sails: 1 x Mainsail - Good Condition, Last Valeted April 2025 1 x Furling Head Sail - Good Condition, Last Valeted April 2025 1 x Boom Cover - Good Condition, Last Valeted April 2025 Additional Sails: 1 x Hank on Jib - Age unknown, useable condition 1 x Spare Mainsail - Age unknown, useable condition 1 x Spare Head Sail - Age unknown, useable condition Mechanical Systems: Propelling Idle Duck is a single 4-cylinder 36hp Perkins 4.107 diesel engine, paired with a shaft-driven fixed propeller and controlled by a single lever Morse control mounted in the cockpit. Engine Instruments and Ignition are mounted on front bulk head at forward end of cockpit. Electrical Systems: There are five 12-volt Lead Acid Batteries, One assigned solely for the engine starting and three 110 Ah Domestic Batteries Plus an additional battery mounted at the bow for the Anchor windlass. Charging for all the batteries is supplied from the engine alternator which has been modified for use with a Sterling external regulator, solar panel and charge regulator, and a Shore Power 240v 20amp battery charger. Isolation and the charge distribution is managed via the VSR relay system. The State of Charge for all batteries is monitored at the Navigation station via two NASA BM 1 + 2 battery monitors. This Yacht also benefits from a Shore power 240-Volt ring main with sockets in the saloon and forepeak.
