Beautiful. There is a huge satisfaction in restoring timber yachts. You don't see too many of them here in Qld as the toredo worms in our warmer waters are voracious.
' Soliloque of Searle ' was built for Jeffery Hyland Penfolod of Penfolds wines with no expenses spared in 1960, we have only owned her for 3 months an undertaken a major restoration to bring back to her former glory which she is just deserved. It is an absolute pleasure and I am loving every minute of it !! She was in a pretty sad state when we bought her. It is a privilege to own a crafted piece of history!
Currently repairing cockpit combing reglazing and stripping all bright work back to teak, stripping booms back, new sail bags and lazy jacks and giving sails the once over
I don't know much about Jefferey, but Thomas Hyland has given me a few headaches in the past!
Seriously though, this yacht looks like it is in the right hands now.
Judging by the close up pics shown of the cabin, the grain and quality of the timber is just superb.
The deck planking is also in great condition and not looking 'boney' like the majority tend to. By that, I mean most people will take the easy way and scrub with the line of the planks. Big mistake and going across the grain will reduce a lot of wear or waste material removed.
She has a PRM hydraulic box which we had to replace rear seal in, slid shaft out to find electrolysis at gland packing point caused by no earth link from engine over coupling to prop end of shaft. Replaced cutlass bearing and machined new bearing on keel for rudder post and yes rudder is bloody heavy two man job!!
she can mind my mooring any time, such a lovely old yacht.
