Marilla of Wight - Fairey Huntsman/Huntress 25
LOA 25ft
Beam 8’ 3”
Draft: 2’ 8”
Hull & Deck: Hot Moulded & Marine Plywood
Model: Ray Hunt design Fairey 23ft ‘Huntress’
Builder: Fairey Marine, Hamble, Hants. Believed 1966
Construction
Fairey Marine hot moulded hull.
The unique system of laminating veneers 2.5mm thick in Kola Blanka (Agba) with some six forming the bottom and five on the top sides, but this could varied to make the shell (hull) stronger as occurred with the Naval Boats.
The completed shell was formed on a wood block mould, pushed into an autoclave (oven) with steam applied, the heat set off the glue, while pushing down the assembled veneers covered in a rubber bag. A finished hull resulted in less than one hour.
These hulls were incredibly strong for their weight and the process started in the aeroplane industry, perfect for the early days of lightweight powerboats.
Marine engines were very heavy and agricultural, but in the 1950/60’s, the arrival of the lightweight diesel Perkins T6.354 6cyl engine with 2450 RPM and later the Ford 6 cyl resulted in these fast offshore launches. Offshore powerboat racing events started in the USA, with the Sam Griffiths memorial race and soon spread to the Solent. The Cowes Torquay event featured Fairey Classic launches, taking many prises, for smallest cruiser, fuel economy, best performance, first production cruiser and many more in the early days. The speed was something exotic at the time so the rich and famous just had to take part. Fairey supplied the high speed chase for 1963 James Bond film 'From Russia with Love'.
This hot moulded system of making the Hulls, resulted when fitted with a wooden space frame, for engine bearers and bulkheads produced a similar structure to aeroplanes with performance. The structure has survived the passing of time if looked after and are possibly the most famous production cruiser of their day.
Machinery
Twin Ford Dorset four cylinder 80HP marine diesel engines, driving a single shaft through a Borg Warner 1:1 72C velvet drive gearboxes.
Bronze equipoise three bladed propeller
Batteries and electrics, Two 12V 96Ah for engines and one 12V 110 Ah domestic. (Voltage sensitive charging module)
Twin seacocks, one for each engine.
Fuel tanks have bottom suction sludge tubes.
Batteries are laid to the starters, dash & switch panel. Four Battery switches, P & S for Engines, service and a parallel connection.
Polished Fairey Classic side scoops provide air to the engine bay
Single lever Morse engine controls
Hydraulic steering to the rudder
Electrics
Batteries fitted as above with master switches.
An Electric marine heads is fitted with black water tank system, pump out filler on aft deck.
Cabin lights
Navigation lights
Stereo
Bilge pumps. Twin Johnson auto 500 GPH.
Procharger 12V-20Amp by 'Sterling Power', shore marina connection. RCD & MCB's within plastic insulated box, beside Sterling unit.
Navigation Equipment
Steering compass on console
VHF IC-M33 Hand
CQR type 6kg Delta Anchor , Quick 600 winch with auto deployment on foredeck.
Depth Nasa Clipper
Navigation lights
Flag staff
Fire Extinguisher. 1.6 Halon Automatic in each engine bay.
Accommodation/ Cockpit
Inside:
Two cabin berths are blue upholstered with storage underneath.
The cabin would convert to a double with an infill.
Cabin floor in natural varnished teak
Side under window storage with varnished rails.
Spacious locker space up forward under foredeck
Large galley area with sink and draining board & storage.
Cook Mate Alchohol Stove.
Separate heads with door
Classic skylight
Water Tank under fwd bunk
Outside:
Two stainless steel classic Fairey seats attach to the engine box for the helm & crew.
Aft varnished bench seat with cushions, small aft deck, keeps passengers away from the stern, very cosy for those picnic days afloat. Storage underneath
Cockpit Cover
may be used on the mooring.
The cockpit floor is in natural teak
The engine box(s) are removal for full engine access, break down into separate panels, a very ingenious arrangement.
Bathing ladder
It should be noted the side decks, cabin top and cabin carlins around the windows have been professionally coated with epoxy cloth scrim, to give a water proof and long lasting surface. This very important for keeping fresh water away from the wooden structure, a very worthwhile feature.
Deck Equipment
Usual complement of fenders, lines, warps and boathook.
Hand rails on the cabin roof
Bow & Stern cleats, very original and a joy to see. As are the rope fairleads and bow anchor fitting.
Winch and auto mounted classic CQR type bow anchor.
Stainless steel bow push pit.
Remarks
'Marilla of Wight' is one of a few 25ft Huntress/Huntsman built, using the same length Fairey shell as the Dell Quay Ranger. This gives a spacious cabin similar in size to the Huntsman 28ft, separate Heads compartment with the larger cockpit. The cockpit is very spacious as the four cylinder engines are shorter and she even has a small aft deck, which makes the rear bench seat very cosy under way and also for accessing dinghies.
The bench seat gives ample storage underneath
She is much loved by the current owners, who did some major refurbishment soon after buying in 2013, new steering console, steering system, scrim to the decks & cabin, full paint inside & out and many small additions of varnished mahogany trim and seat battens, etc etc to retain her classic lines. Borg Warner velvet drive gearboxes were fitted to replace the earlier models and the 'P' bracket mounting blocks replaced.
A full marine electric heads with duel black water system added and shore power make her the perfect weekend or cruising classic. Sadly a house move with retirement, has resulted in 'Marilla' being for sale and a viewing is recommended.
She has a full file of ships papers, photographs of the refurbishment and winter maintenance by Andrew Oliver, classic boat specialist in Emsworth, over the ownership. She comes with various spares. A comprehensive survey is available dated 30th May 2019, to comply with insurance requirements.
Price £29,500 ono
