Sparkman and Stephens Sloop

Full specification

Wooden Ships Comments on this Sparkman and Stephens sloop

Designed by Sparkman and Stephens and built by Moodys in 1965, Josephine VII was the last of a number of ocean racers built for Mr Cosby Smallpiece, she was built for the One Ton Cup series held in Sweden in 1965.  Considered to be the inspiration for the Swan 36 but with a different keel configuration, she was also Moody’s Boat Show exhibit at the 1966 Earls Court Boat Show.

Built by Moody’s of Bursledon on the Hamble to a very high standard at a time when Moody’s had some of the best craftsmen in the country. Tom Richardson of the Elephant Boatyard on the Hamble worked on her as an apprentice at Moody’s and recalls Olin Stephens insisting that the face of the laminated oak frames was perfectly faired and fayed to the planking. He also recalls the trouble they had fitting the bronze shoe to the underside of the lead keel, an interesting feature of the yacht.

Sold by Wooden Ships on several occasions, the present owner bought her in Mallorca in 2014 and trucked her home for a refit which was undertaken by Tim Gilmore of Birdham Pool.  The main issue was electrolysis and a large number of frame heels had to be replaced along with all new bronze floor bolts.  A full list of the extensive work done and equipment replaced is available.

Although built as a racing yacht, she has been cruised by most recent owners, often single handed proving that she is an easily managed boat, and she completed a double Atlantic crossing with some severe weather proving her to be an admirably sea worthy yacht.   This is a stunning yacht, the epitome of the final period of wooden boat design and construction with her radical underwater shape which rapidly became normal practice.  She represents the very best in pedigree and provenance and will simply be a joy to own.

Length on Deck                 35’9″

Beam                                   9’9″

Draft                                    6′

Thames Tonnage               10TM

Construction

Planked in top quality Honduras Mahogany, splined in the top sides.  Copper fastened to steam bent oak timbers.  The heels of many of the timbers were replaced in the recent refit.

Oak backbone with bronze strap floors across the centreline, removed and refastened in the refit.

External lead ballast keel with bronze keel bolts.  An original bronze shoe is fitted to the lead keel.

Yacht laid teak deck over a marine plywood subdeck.  The deck has been painted externally to protect it from the elements.

Varnished toe rail all round with stainless stanchions.

Large self draining cockpit divided across the middle by the main sheet track with a higher sole at the aft end allowing the helmsman to see over the crew.  All varnished teak coamings and thwarts.

Varnished teak coachroof coamings with a sheathed plywood coachroof deck and 5 windows per side.  Forehatch set in the coachroof deck.

Rig

Bermudan masthead sloop rig on a keel stepped Proctor aluminium mast from 1990.

Proctor alloy slab reefing boom.

Stainless steel standing rigging new in 2015, to internal stainless chain plates.

ProFurl roller furling headsail system.

Full set of sails including storm and down wind sails, genoa new in 2014.  Spray hood and mainsail cover new 2014.

2 x Lewmar 44 3 speed primary sheet winches, 2 x Gibb secondary winches, 2 x Lewmar self tailing winches either side of entrance hatch plus mast winches and main sheet winch.

Machinery

Volvo Penta MD2030 3cyl 30hp marine diesel installed new in 2004.  Gearbox and control cables new in 2015.

Single lever control with stainless shaft to a centreline 2 blade fixed bronze propeller gives 6 knots cruising speed.

15 gallon diesel tank under the cockpit sole with fuel level monitor.

35 gallon fresh water tank

2 x 12 volt batteries for domestics and engine starting.  Boat re-wired in 2015.

Installed shore power system for battery charging.

Accommodation

5 berths including a quarter berth, 2 settee berths and a double in the forward cabin.  Over 6′ headroom throughout the saloon.

All new upholstery and soft furnishings in 2015.

Steps down over the engine with the galley to port and quarter berth to starboard.

Galley has a Plastimo Neptune 2 burner gas stove with oven and grill new in 2015, single stainless sink with manually pumped fresh water and several storage lockers.

The quarter berth is full length with relatively easy access and has a hanging locker alongside.  Drop down chart table over the quarter berth

Half bulkheads through to the saloon with a settee berth either side with lockers and shelves behind.  Trotter box at forward end of port berth with storage behind the seat backs.  Dropleaf varnished saloon table and a Taylors paraffin cabin heater on the forward bulkhead.

Starboard side door going forward with the heads compartment to port and hanging locker to starboard.

Heads is a Baby Blake manual sea toilet which discharges directly overboard with a porcelain hand basin that folds out above the heads.

Forward cabin has twin V-berths with a middle insert to create a decent size double berth.  Anchor locker right in the bows.

Full specification and details available upon request

Disclaimer:

These particulars have been prepared in good faith from information provided by the Vendors and are intended as a guide, Wooden Ships cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. The Purchaser should instruct his agent or surveyor to validate all details as necessary and satisfy himself with the condition of the vessel and its equipment.