Rossiter Heron

Full specification

The Rossiter Heron design was conceived by Hugh Rossiter and Charles Purbrook at their yard in Christchurch.  Having previously only built smaller open boats and dinghies, the Heron was big step forward.

Canoe stern version with a nice spoon bow and full length keel.  Centreplate operated on a block and tackle helps improve sailing performance and reduces draft for sailing up inland waterways and rivers.  Full width coachroof creating raised topsides, much like the well known Harrison Butler designs, gives plenty of internal volume and lots of deck space, with a small dog house incorporating the entrance hatch for extra headroom.

Designed and built by the Rossiter yard in 1958 this is a particularly nice example.

Planked in 5/8” mahogany fastened with copper rivets to steam bent oak timbers and solid oak floors.

External iron ballast keel with iron keel bolts, last drawn 1985.  Some internal iron trimming ballast, coated and fastened securely. Galvanised steel centreplate.

Marine plywood deck finished with non-slip Trakmark and painted.  Aft Deck in painted marine plywood.  Step in the deck at forward end of bulkhead to the raised topsides.

Varnished mahogany coachroof coamings with small varnished rubbing strake top and bottom.  2 oval bronze port holes each side.

Varnished mahoganydog house type hatch on the raised coachroof with sliding hatch and handrails.  Rectangular bronze portholes in the sides.

Deep varnished cockpit with tiller steering.  Bridge deck at forward end.  Hinged doors with a single washboard above in the entrance hatch.

Galvanised stem head fitting which carries the forestay with bow roller on the starboard side.

Galvanised fairleads.  Manual windlass on the foredeck offset to starboard with an oak Sampson post on the centre line.

Varnished mahogany forehatch with bronze rimmed glass porthole.

Stainless steel pulpit with stainless steel stanchions and guard wires going aft as far as the step in the deck.  Varnished toe rail all round the foredeck.

Large bronze cleat on the aft deck with galvanised cleats on the quarters.

Ingenious galvanised mainsheet hawse fixed securely through the stern post to allow free movement of the tiller.

Rig

Fractional Bermudan sloop with roller furling headsail on a keel stepped solid varnished spruce mast.

Roller furling varnished wooden boom.

Stainless steel standing rigging renewed in 2011, to external galvanised chainplates.

Single lowers to the first spreaders.

Single uppers to the second spreaders.

Standing backstays to the second spreaders.

Cap shrouds taken out around the second spreaders and fastened to the mast at the level of the first spreaders.

Running backstays on tackles

Roller furling genoa with new forestay on stainless steel rigging screw.

Sails

Battened mainsail                   Hood                           2011                            Excellent

Genoa                                      Hood                           2011                            Excellent

Machinery

Yanmar 1GM10 9hp single cylinder diesel engine, installed 1997.  Full service July 2011.

Raw water cooled.

Yanmar gearbox with twin lever controls to stainless steel shaft and 3 blade centre line bronze propeller.  Max speed 5 knots.

3 gallon plastic fuel tank in stern cockpit locker.

2 x 12volt batteries in bridge deck locker with charging from engine alternator.

Accommodation                    2 berths

Well organised and light interior with lots of space for a small boat.

Steps down from the bridge deck into the saloon.  Galley to port with 2 burner Plastimo gas stove with a drop down galley work surface and lockers under.

Hanging locker to the starboard with VHF above.

Port and starboard full length saloon settee berths, storage lockers under.  Saloon table with drop down leafs.

Cabin sole boards finished in grey paint.

Deck head and hull sides finished in white gloss.

Jabsco sea toilet in a varnished locker on the centreline in the forepeak.  Lots of stowage space in the forepeak for sails, fenders etc.

Inventory

Silva 70 compass in cockpit bulkhead

NASA sounder

NASA log

VHF

Autopilot

Garmin chartplotter

Wind direction indicator

Horse shoe lifebuoy

3 fire extinguishers

Assorted flares

25lb CQR anchor

15m anchor chain plus warp

Covers for dog house, cockpit and forehatch

Fenders and warps

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.