Rapier 3100 'Pegasus' Gentleman's Motor Yacht. Cox & Haswell Ltd, Twin Screw Diesel Powerboat Ref 156
Rapier 3100 'Pegasus' Cox & Haswell Ltd Twin Screw Diesel
Gentleman's Motor yacht
Length 31' 0"
Beam 10' 3"
Depth 2' 6"
Headroom 6' 6"
Berths 5
Excellent weekend ‘family getaway cruiser’ with pedigree heritage. Lovingly restored. With large cockpit and cabin all fitted to a high standard. Sleeps 4-5 in comfort. Full headroom; roomy, light and airy cabin. Redesigned galley with large fridge, oven, hob and lots of storage. Twin diesel Cummins 6BT driving shafts. Plotter, Radar, Fishfinder, etc.
History & Summary
‘Pegasus’ has a notable history. Designed by Len Cox, a distinguished naval architect in his day, who conceived the Rapier 3100 using his war time admiralty experience. She has a wonderful history file, showing the production 'yachting press adverts’ and best all rounder prizes in the Cowes/Torquay events achieved ahead of the Fairey Marine Range. A true classic of her day.
Sir Max Aitkin conceived the Cowes Torquay Powerboat race to advance the design of small offshore fast launches against the previous slow displacement gentleman's yachts of their day. The original events were supported by standard production cruisers of 20 knots or slightly more and some crews entered the race in jackets and ties with yachting caps. The two design trends were efficient 'planing hulls' and 'over engined' thirsty displacement hulls. The Nelson range revolutionised the Pilot boat industry, while the planing hulls brought a new dimension to private boating afloat.
The Rapier 3100 performed in these events alongside the Fairey and other production cruisers. ‘Pegasus’ easily won the 'Concours d'Elegance Trophy' for the best all-rounder production cruiser with full 'creature' comforts' for the owner, when entered.
'Pegasus' was restored and re-engined to a very high standard by the previous owners. They found her in the West Country with possibly the second owner who had enjoyed her into their old age. She had been well looked after, was totally original and spent the winters ashore under cover. She was used for a season before the refurbishment was undertaken.
'Pegasus' is in prime condition for her age and used most weekends. The previous owners undertook a major refit with new teak decks, Cummins economical 6BT diesel engines fitted, cockpit sole re-laid, new windows, navigation systems etc. to make a perfect boat.
The interior & exterior are best described as pristine, all bright work and finishes have been refurbished for this season. She is perfect for family weekends with the large cockpit and spacious interior.
Construction
Cold moulded hull of triple diagonal laid African mahogany to a space frame structure of African Mahogany & Spruce, this delivers a very strong light weight traditional hull & superstructure. This method of construction was used extensively for the aircraft industry and motor torpedo boat build of the Second World War. The exterior hull is production sheathed with a Nylon / Cascover “armour”, common practice at the time for expensive yachts to provide long-lasting protection against the saltwater & marine elements.
Machinery
Re-engined with twin Cummins 6BT diesel 6 cylinder marine engines, with all engine & propulsion systems being also renewed at the time. The engine bay is easily accessible for engine servicing. Morse engine controls & cables; Vetus sea strainers fitted with windows to allow easy inspection; TekTank fuel tanks with inspection windows; Racor fuel filters and pipe work; stainless shafts & bronze propellers. New PRM gearboxes were fitted at the same time as the engines.
Hot water calorifier fitted on the starboard engine, with shore power immersion heater.
Four x 110Ah battery's (new 2013) supply a 24Volt system to the engines and a voltage dropper services the 12V requirements of the dashboard and accommodation. A shore power socket and battery switches are easily accessible within the cockpit, complemented with a new battery charger fitted this year.
Seafire automatic engine bay fire extinguisher with cockpit and galley handheld extinguishers. Galley fire blanket. Bilge pumps: Bilge monitor with two auto 15mm electric fitted engine bay and amidships, with another 15mm electric manual aft.
Cockpit
The floor hatches are 'teak effect panels' with solid teak edging, giving a marine decking which is washable and non staining, by food, grease or oil. Foldable Seats are provided for the helmsman and crew/navigator positions. Side lockers provide easy access to battery switches & sundry marine electronics, affording easy servicing when required.
The rear seat is extensive and has storage underneath with position for a rubber dinghy & outboard if required. Deck & mooring gear may be stored here, with flagstaff.
She has plenty of extra storage space available which is quite remarkable for a boat of this size and period.
Dashboard
Clear view of the 'way ahead' is afforded from the helm position and wheel, making it very comfortable when underway. The dashboard is well spaced out hosting extensive equipment, all fitted new by the previous & current owners.
Includes:
- Engine dials for RPM, Oil pressure, Water temperature, Volts.
- Azimuth 1000 electronic steering compass
- Simrad CP31 Plotter GPS
- Simrad EQ32 Sounder & Fishfinder
- Nav Man VHF 7200 radio fitted 2009.
- DSC connected to plotter
- Raytheon Radar on mast well overhead
- Screen Wipers
- Transom trim tabs
- Boat auxiliary switch panel to the stb. side -fitted
- ETA labelled circuit breakers,
- Engine exhaust pyrometers, for notification of weed blockage in engine strainers.
- SSR Number
Deck
Wide safe teak decks laid new by previous owners. Large foredeck with Simpson Lawrence deck winch and Bruce anchor fully deployable in automatic bow roller, part chain & rope. Varnished boat hook on cabin top with twin classic period horns; mast with burgee halyards and radar reflector. Anchor winch control on foredeck.
External Covers
These have all been renewed and redesigned by the current owners. She has window screens for sun protection. Spray hood and flexible configuration camper type extension make the large cockpit into a living aboard area, all in almost new condition.
Cabin
Layout redesigned by previous owners giving full 6' 6" headroom making a live aboard atmosphere to this extensive cabin. Two couples can easily weekend aboard or a family.
Bow double and side double with dinette table. Galley is fully fitted with ample drawers, bespoke chest fridge, stainless sink, Neptune 2000 oven & grill cooker. Hot & cold pumped water throughout. Separate “heads” are large for a 31' boat and are fitted with toilet and pressurised hot / cold water via a shower tap and moulded basin.
Drawers, lighting, book racks give the cabin a wonderful atmosphere. The curtains / cushions / upholstery are recent, in a mid blue cloth.
Galley has a gas alarm with twin bilge sensors and 'auto cut-off' solenoid valve.
