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by Pete Green
Definition of a Classic Yacht
There appears to be some ambiguity in the definition of what a ‘Classic Yacht’ is. One characterisation is that the boat has to have a wooden hull with handmade craftsmanship detailing. Other enthusiasts have debated that steel boats should be allowed into the ‘Classic Yacht’ category. A more prosaic approach is to use dates to describe a boats heritage:
Antique: A boat built between 1919 and 1942.
Classic: A boat built between 1943 and 1975.
Late Classic: A boat built 1976 to the year 25 prior to the current year.
Contemporary: A wooden boat built within the last 25 years.
Perhaps the thread that joins all these definitions is the heart and history that is woven into the fabric of the vessel. This article describes Halcyon Yachts’ involvement in the delivery of Classic Yachts and provides links to the films that were made of the passages.
Halcyon’s Expertise
Halcyon Yachts have many years’ experience moving Classic boats, as well as a team of delivery skippers and crew with the necessary skills and knowledge. Whilst some aspects of heritage boat moves are similar to those undertaken in modern vessels; the delivery of an older boat requires additional care and attention. Often a Classic Yacht will have a non-standard rig whose sails might be hoisted by manpower alone without the use of winches and jammers. Many are gaff-rigged so knowledge of peak and throat halyards is needed as is how to secure a line around a belay pin. The headsails are often hank on, and the crew may be required to work balanced over a net at the end of a bow spit. Fitness, agility and stamina come in very handy! The stresses on the skipper and crew differ, they have to think flexibly and have an adaptable approach to solving difficulties especially as many older boats have quirky navigation, engine and domestic running systems.
Ragged Robin III
A 6-ton, centre-cockpit Hillyard yacht.
One of the most recent Classic Yachts that Halcyon delivered was Ragged Robin III. who was commissioned by Arthur Ransome and his second wife, Russian born Evgenia. They viewed and sailed a similar five and a half tonne centre cockpit boat in July 1951 and decided to have one built for them. Arthur Ransome put in an order to David Hillyard for that years’ Boat Show model which he quickly decided would be called ‘Lottie Blossom’ after a character in a PG Wodehouse novel. Evgenia particularly wanted a boat to escape from the hustle and bustle of London during the summer. By the autumn of 1951 they had registered the yacht and were planning the internal layout of the boat which was to include additional lockers and more space in the galley. Arthur Ransome’s prostate problems delayed their first sail until April 1952; a cruise out of Littlehampton harbour. The couple commented that she was “quite good and sailed herself” but had “a little too much weather helm”. They considered their chances of getting the ‘Lottie Blossom’ to the east coast before the winter of 1952.
Arthur and Evgenia decided not to move her from her south coast home, perhaps because they had started to have some misgivings about certain aspects of her design, notably the wheel steering and the centre cockpit. Instead, they visited Hillyard’s workshop again and commissioned another yacht, but with tiller steering and modifications to make the new vessel capable of being sailed single-handed. In December 1952, Arthur Ransome sold ‘Lottie Blossom’ to Sir William Paul Mallinson on condition that The Ransomes retained the name. She was renamed Ragged Robin III and has had almost a dozen owners since then. Halcyon Yachts were appointed by her current owner to move Ragged Robin III from Birdham Pool (one of the places the Ransomes sailed her) where she had undergone considerable work to her decks, hull and rigging, to a new yard on the East Coast where she is going to have her brightwork and cabins restored.
Baltic Trader, Grace
Grace is an 85 ft Baltic Trader built in Scandinavia 1925 as a commercial sailing cargo vessel, typical of many such working in Scandinavian waters. Grace’s design follows the usual pattern with a long keel, bluff bows and transom stern with the rudder hung outboard on the transom. Her hull was constructed of oak with pine decks and spars while her deckhouse is mahogany. She was originally designed as a fishing vessel, working out of the Baltic before being converted into a 12 berth charter vessel in the 1980’s and finding new cruising grounds in the south and southwest of England. Grace was moved by Halcyon Yachts from Falmouth to Gran Canaria by an experienced crew who understood how to set her main and mizzen and care for her gaff rig.
Camper and Nicholson, Zircon
Zircon is a 1960 44ft wooden Bermudan sloop out of Camper and Nicholson’s Gosport yard. She is one of 6 built to this design and commissioned by H. H. Edwards. In 2021 she was lifted out of the water at Gweek for some work to her mahogany, elm and oak hull and teak decks which included having her mast unstepped. Halcyon was commissioned to move her back to her berth in Gosport.
Heard 28, Talwyn
The Heard 28 is a displacement cruising yacht that has a reputation for being strong and seaworthy and they have been used in several circumnavigations of the globe. Although heavy, these yachts carry a lot of sail and a long bowsprit. They are surprisingly fast being based on the traditional lines of a gaff-rigged carvel-built Falmouth Working Boat. During 2021 Halcyon delivered a Cornish-based Heard 28 to her new owners in Ireland.
McGruer 54, Talisker Mhor
Talisker Mhor is a beautiful McGruer 54 ketch; this classic yacht was built on the Clyde in 1973 by George McGruer’s son James, a graduate in naval architecture. Her construction is carvel mahogany planking bronze fastened to laminated mahogany frames with a teak superstructure. She weighs 20 tonnes. CUILAUN, her sister was built for an American who still sails her in the waters of Maine, USA. Talisker Mhor was safely delivered 3 years ago by Halcyon from Dartmouth to her new home in La Trinite in Brittany.
The delivery of a Classic Yacht is an adventure and a privilege for a sailor as well as an opportunity to learn new skills and be part of our maritime heritage. Which present-day boats will be regarded as the Classics of the future? Perhaps a Rustler 33?
With highly qualified and experienced crew, Halcyon Yachts Ltd offers a dedicated international yacht delivery service. For more information or to see details of their recent deliveries please visit
