I had a trip to Fakenham today up near the North Norfolk Coast to Survey this little Yacht.
The Finesse 24, which was first launched in 1968, was conceived at a time when wooden boats, and particularly clinker ones, were falling from favour, glassfibre being the material of choice. They’re also solidly built, of good-quality materials, and, in the majority of cases, have been well maintained by their owners. The Finesse 24 is a development of the Finesse 21, which boatbuilder Alan Platt started building in 1961. The design had been produced by a friend, Laurie Harbottell, who wanted a cruiser for sailing in the shoal waters of the East Coast, and it proved to be such a head-turner that Platt went on to build over 80 more. Demand for a bigger version resulted in the Finesse 24 in 1968. The 24-footer is distinctive in style, with a full-bodied hull, pretty swept sheer, broad transom and perky bowsprit, and is every bit an East Coast cruiser, heavily influenced by the shoal-draught designs of Maurice Griffiths.
Surveyors comments: The hulls are so durable being made of top quality Iroko (a type of Teak) a very well built Yacht. Keep your eye on the deck sheathing,. The rate of deterioration and requirement for routine repair will increase with the degree of wear. The rate of wear varies considerably and is dependent on such items as the degree of wear and tear from feet, scrubbing brushes and exposure to sunlight / heat.
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| The owner having a 'clean off'' before applying some new antifouling paint |
The Finesse 24, which was first launched in 1968, was conceived at a time when wooden boats, and particularly clinker ones, were falling from favour, glassfibre being the material of choice. They’re also solidly built, of good-quality materials, and, in the majority of cases, have been well maintained by their owners. The Finesse 24 is a development of the Finesse 21, which boatbuilder Alan Platt started building in 1961. The design had been produced by a friend, Laurie Harbottell, who wanted a cruiser for sailing in the shoal waters of the East Coast, and it proved to be such a head-turner that Platt went on to build over 80 more. Demand for a bigger version resulted in the Finesse 24 in 1968. The 24-footer is distinctive in style, with a full-bodied hull, pretty swept sheer, broad transom and perky bowsprit, and is every bit an East Coast cruiser, heavily influenced by the shoal-draught designs of Maurice Griffiths.
Surveyors comments: The hulls are so durable being made of top quality Iroko (a type of Teak) a very well built Yacht. Keep your eye on the deck sheathing,. The rate of deterioration and requirement for routine repair will increase with the degree of wear. The rate of wear varies considerably and is dependent on such items as the degree of wear and tear from feet, scrubbing brushes and exposure to sunlight / heat.
