Steel Blue Water Cruising Yacht Lifting Winged Keel

I really liked this boat the space to walk around on deck was so easy and nice and clear of clutter. I was able to appreciate the sheltered helm position with great views all round for myself of only 1.6metres tall! Really unique layout below makes me think she would be a great live aboard. She looks in great condition considering her sea miles and age. I also liked the modern look she has and on first glance you could mistake her for a GRP boat not steel leaning very much towards the look of larger Moody's seen over the years.
Information provided by owner:
This is a well engineered yacht with the style and practicality few other boats of this size can offer. A sailing experience with minimal physical effort and high standard of living accommodation. Designed in such a way to make the owners life easier, and the on-board experience more pleasurable – making long distance cruising achievable.
The boat is clearly aimed at couples with occasional guests who are looking for comfort and space in a yacht.
Kept up-to-date, well maintained and looked after throughout the 23 years with the current ownership.
Launched in 1989 and completed a circumnavigation between 1989 and 1992, some of which was part of the first Round the World Rally organized by Jimmy Cornell. She is fully equipped for world cruising- ready to go anywhere. From personal experience of living aboard throughout one winter in ice and snow, this provided first-rate insulation inside and keep us beautifully warm with no condensation except on the portlights – which covered with bubble wrap, this did the trick there. Also -after the running the engines for just a short time – then removing the aft engine inspection cover the saloon living area had plenty of warmth. Our north sailing took us up into the Baltic and we came across many steel boats, as steel is the ideal material. Due to La Aventura's design features of no hull portholes, collision bulkheads fore and aft, integral centreboard, shallow draft, cutter rig, and comfortable all-weather bunks on each tack she will cope admirably for northern adventure conditions. In those Baltic blows as skipper and crew we were warm and safe under the covered wheelhouse which provided us with immediate access to instruments, aids to navigation and all-round visibility.

Innovative, and unique features:

SHALLOW DRAFT with a winged daggerboard. The wing section is attached to the daggerboard by bolts that it can be removed for maintenance /repair. This allows the board to be retracted upwards through a slot in the deck and covered by a waterproof plate. The lifting board ensures a draft of only one metre/3ft 3ins with the board up, with 450kg/1000lbs of lead ballast in the wings, this contributes considerably to the stability of the boat as the weight is concentrated as low as possible. It also means that with the board down the boat is very comfortable in a rolly anchorage as the wings dampen both pitching and rolling. With the board up, the boat can dry out resting on the wing and twin skegs.

WATERTIGHT COLLISION BULKHEAD for added safety the forward cabin is separated from the rest of the hull. Powerful clamps seal the watertight door between the forward cabin and the rest of the hull.

PROTECTED STEERING POSITION under the shelter of the fixed wheelhouse provides protection from rain, spray and sun, and offers panoramic views surrounded by toughened glass on three sides. The watch-keeper is dry and comfortable. This protection contributes greatly to the overall safety.

INDEPENDENT SELF-STEERING gear is incorporated in the overall design, rather that added on as an afterthought. The rudder of the Hydrovane self-steering gear passes through the floor of the transom platform, and can act as an emergency rudder. A powerful B & G auto pilot is also fitted.

MINIMUM NUMBER OF THROUGH HULL OPENINGS with only four seacocks, three of which are closely grouped together and easily accessible in an emergency. The two large ones service the cockpit drains and galley. One dedicated seacock provides take-off points for all seawater intakes. The fourth outlet, placed further aft is for the heads.

STERN DESIGN with a platform which makes boarding from the water easier and also protects the self-steering gear and acts as a crumple area in case of collision from astern.

TWIN ENGINES ensures a second propulsion and charging unit. This is paramount when one considers the number of yachts that get into trouble either because their engine has broken down or it cannot be started as the batteries have been discharged. When motor-sailing, one of the 29hp engines provides ample power with minimal fuel consumption.

GRAVITY FUEL TANK (day tank) has a 15 litre capacity. This system acts as an additional fuel filter/ fuel polishing system.

AFT OPEN PLAN LIVING ARRANGEMENT with the saloon and galley located in the aft section of the boat.

FORWARD CABIN STORAGE & WORKSHOP – as storage is a major issue on any cruising boat, the forward cabin is used for storing the spare sails, diving gear, tools, fenders, spare ground tackle, ropes etc.

CONSTRUCTION
Featuring a round bilge. The hull is constructed of 4mm high tensile plate on ‘T’ longitudinal stringers, these in turn being supported by equally spaced frames. The deck is constructed of 3mm and 4mm plate. To avoid weld distortion the 3mm plate was press formed rather than welded, especially in the cockpit area.
The wheelhouse is constructed of light gauge plate and has been designed to minimise weight and maximise strength.
The hull and deck were shot blasted and aluminium arc sprayed outside, and zinc flame sprayed inside. The inside of the hull above the waterline was waxed for added corrosion protection. The outside then painted with quality epoxy paint scheme.

(OWNERS COMMENTS) The engine area for the twin 29hp Perkins engines is midships. There is plenty of room to work comfortably due to the all side access.
The advantage of having two engines is apparent during manoeuvers in confined spaces, the two propellers make it easy to keep the boat under control.
The starboard engine is fitted with a non-standard 75Amp alternator so that this engine can be used not only for propulsion but also as a generator to charge the bank of 6 batteries having a total capacity of some approx. 800AH. This arrangement works well in spite of the large electricity consumption (SSB radio, Radar, pressurised water system, electric windlass) the batteries are easily kept charged up.
The same starboard engine is also fitted with a calorifier to that it provides a continuous supply of hot water.
Just 30 minutes running time each day provides all necessary electricity and hot water, and consumes just half a gallon of fuel.
Another advantage of twin engine installation (the ultimate spare) becomes essential when one engine has an unexpected failure.
We have never experienced an engine problem due to dirty fuel – thanks to the gravity fed fuel system. Its location within the engine bay ensures that whilst topping up via a dedicated pump, regular inspection of the whole engine areas is achieved.
POWER/STEERING
Retractable Keel –removed, sandblasted and roller equipment renewed 2017.
The twin rudder configuration works well and the boat is easy to steer on all point of sailing. With the sails well trimmed the boat maintains her course easily without the help of the self-steering gear.
The Hydrovane system works independently of the rudders. The powerful B & G autopilot is backed up by the Hydrovane self-steering gear which is mounted through the stern platform so that it forms an integral part of the boat.
The lifting winged keel is undoubtedly one of the most envied and original features. A powerful hydraulic ram driven by an electric motor easily lifts the keel in less than one minute. For emergency purposes, there is a manual backup with a secondary hydraulic pump.

Jimmy Cornell's nostalgic visit to his second yacht, By Jimmy Cornell on 17.09.2018
There’s a saying that you should never revisit places that you have enjoyed in the past as what you find may disappoint you. Yesterday this piece of advice was proved to be totally wrong. Twenty-three years since we sold the boat and she was back in her home waters, and Gwenda and I went to visit her at Gosport, in the south of England.
an Australian couple, who used to run a pub in London, had bought her in 1995 planning to set off on a world voyage. In the process they visited over 70 countries, had innumerable adventures and assured me that they would never have had such an enjoyable experience had it not been for what they still believe to be the perfectly designed cruising boat.
Their comments filled my heart with joy as, after our first round the world voyage, I had attempted to conceive the safest and most comfortable cruising boat for my second planned circumnavigation. Visiting her yesterday I realised that I had indeed achieved my aim and, as I walked around my old love, I was impressed by all the many details that can go on into her make-up. After all these years, I could hardly find any fault with her.

PLEASE NOTE: This boat is now stored ashore.
These boat details are subject to contract.
Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.