1971 Royal Huisman Laurent Giles 51 Aluminium Ketch – Now in Greenock

Grabau International is delighted to announce that the 1971 Royal Huisman Laurent Giles 51 Aluminium Ketch ‘BUCEPHALUS’ may now be inspected in Greenock, Scotland.

A unique yacht, designed by Laurent Giles, built by the revered Royal Huisman yard in Holland, finished off in the UK by A.H. Moody & Son. Extensively refitted and modernised during a three-year re-fit between 2008-11.

FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:

Commissioned by a Dr Ellis based in Washington USA. BUCEPHALUS is a unique combination of the talents from three of the biggest names in yacht building during the 1960’s and 70’s. Built to Llyods 100A1 she was designed by Laurent Giles in the UK. The hull and superstructure were built by the revered Royal Huisman yard in Holland, widely regarded as the finest builder of aluminium hulled yachts at that time. The completed structure was then shipped to the UK for finishing by the acclaimed A.H. Moody & Sons yard. Launched as VIA MARIS she made no fewer than three transatlantic crossings during her early life.

Following a period of use as a sail training vessel in Hamburg Germany she was purchased by a UK owner in 2006 and brought to the UK. After commissioning Laurent Giles and Barry van Geffen to re-design the interior BUCEPHALUS returned to Holland for a no-expenses spared re-fitting between 2008-11. Enjoying the attentions of master craftsmen from Hakvort, Royal Huisman and De-Ruiter along with expert mechanical and electrical engineers. Works included complete rebuilding of the interior; improving the layout and providing en-suite facilities in the master cabin, re-engining and a complete re-fresh of the onboard systems. In recent years BUCEPHALUS has enjoyed continual upgrading here inventory highlights including:

• Yanmar 4JH3-DTE marine diesel, installed new 2010
• Max-Prop bronze, 4 blade blade feather propellor, fitted new 2018
• Jefa Rod steering system fitted new 2010
• Paguro 6000 generator (2018)
• Raymarine SPX30 Smart Pilot course computer with duel control stations
• Side power bowthruster, installed new in 2008
• Spectra Newport 400 MkII watermaker
• Domestic Batteries – 12x Rolls 2V cells, providing 750AH @ 24VDC (2018)
• Mastervolt 24/4000-120 Combi Charger/Invertor for domestic batteries (2009)
• Mastervolt 24/30-3 charger for bow thruster / windlass battery bank (2018)
• Raymarine instrumentation including chart plotter and radar
• Icom MA-500TR AIS transceiver, standalone display (2018)
• Icom IC-M330 DSC VHF (2018)
• Thrane & Thrane Sailor FB250 satcom, bb, internet and telephone, run from dedicated PC
• ENO 3 burner, oven and grill gas stove (2018)
• SOROMAP anodised alloy masts and spars fitted 2009
• New mast tracks fitted for mainsail and mizzen fitted 2018
• New standing rigging fitted 2009
• Barlow 30, two-speed, self-tailing primary winches
• Andersen mast mounted halyard winches
• Mainsail and Mizzen by Owen Sails 2018
• Asymmetric with snuffer, Gaastra Sails 2009
• Bower Anchor – Spade anchor (2019) on 100m of ½ chain rode
• Anchor Windlass – Lofrans Falkon 1700w with plug in remote control. (2009)
• Zodiac Yachtline 220 RIB with outboard
• Davits
• Nemo Passarelle / Swim ladder (2011)

We hold a large number of additional photos on file, available to interested parties by request.

Departing the UK in June for a summer cruise in Iceland BUCEPHALUS will be available for viewing prior to her departure inline with the current COVID-19 restrictions. She is expected to return to Scotland and be available for handover from August 2021.

OWNERS COMMENT:

We have found Bucephalus to be graceful passage maker. In summer 2020 we cruised from the west coast of Scotland around the south of England and up the east coast to Edinburgh. She makes rapid progress under both white sails and, if conditions allow, either the cruising chute or symmetric spinnaker. On passage from the Isles of Scilly she averaged 7.4 knots on an overnight passage to the Solent.

With her open deck space for both relaxing and entertaining we have found her a sociable boat. Her modern ketch rig makes her easy to handle short – or even single – handed. In addition to her sea keeping abilities, the new 4-bladed propeller and bow thruster facilitates stress free berthing and unberthing where space is limited.

After sailing conventional yachts for many years, the ability to keep watch in the wheel house makes higher latitude sailing even more appealing; we are looking forward to our trip north this summer. With her two comfortable double berth cabins, Bucephalus is ideal for up to two couples to cruise in comfort. She is a magnificent yacht and a real head turner as was evidenced on many occasion during her month on in the Solent during summer 2020.

DETAILS OF REFIT:
• Completed in Holland between 2008-11
• Hull blasted back to bare aluminium and repainted with ALEXSEAL (2009)
• Replacement of masts with new SOROMAP anodised alloy spars
• New standing rigging
• Installation of new Yanmar engine and gearbox
• Re-wiring by mastervolt agent
• Installation of new electrics and electronics
• Replacement of plumbing systems including pumps, piping and switch gear

1971 Royal Huisman Laurent Giles 51 Aluminium Ketch – BUCEPHALUS – Asking £210,000 VAT paid – now lying Greenock, Scotland – full details here

Do you have a yacht like this to sell? Grabau International are always looking for new high quality cruising yacht listings both in the UK and internationally. For further information about our tailored brokerage services, please look here or feel free to contact us.