Gauntlet 12 Ton - Exclusive Sale

Gauntlets were designed by H.G. May of the Berthon Boatyard in Lymington, England in 1934. They were designed to be sea kindly yachts with moderate overhangs and draft, a fairly heavy displacement and an easily handled sail plan. They achieved a number of successes in RORC events, especially in heavy weather, confirming both their sea kindliness and their sail carrying power.

This exceptional yacht was built by her first owner, Phil Sissons, in a boatshed at Evans Bay, Wellington, New Zealand. Her keel was laid in 1947 but she was not finished until she was launched, without a rig, in 1978 as 'Reflections of Wellington' – 31 years later !

She is a traditional heavily built vessel constructed to a high standard with select materials. She is carvel built in NZ Kauri (1.75”) with 1” Teak decks laid over NZ Kauri diagonals interspersed with canvas impregnated with Stockholm Tar. Frames are two laminations of Australian Spotted Gum and keel/deadwood is Australian Tallow Wood. An interesting aside is that her 4 cylinder, 60hp, Ford diesel engine was purchased brand new in 1965 and so sat in the boat unused for 13 years. The engine was turned by hand periodically.

Her current owner bought her in 2002 and completed a very comprehensive refit between 2006 and 2009 in New Zealand and then another in 2014 by the esteemed Des Kearns in Krabi, Thailand.

In Whangarei, Noel Barrott, a master shipwright, carried out extensive works. The rig was completely rebuilt. New main boom and all new boom and mast fittings with the exception of the masthead fitting which was rebuilt.

More recently, Des Kearns completed a total re paint, including the mast in situ, stainless repairs, expert carpentry and much more.....

We hold a great deal of info on both of the above refits and welcome your interest in this superb yacht.