Nicholson Marine

“Brumby” - 36’ Nicholson Classic Sailing Sloop.

Details from owner:

Brumby is an unfinished restoration project. Extensive work started in 2011 and is detailed below.
Owner moved to Greece in 2020, initially intending to complete the work on visits back to the UK.
However, that has not worked out and is unable to complete the restoration.

She needs a new home, ideally someone passionate about classic sailing yachts with the skills and/or
resources to put her right. Unfortunately she has been sat unattended for around 4 years on a
tidal berth in Newhaven and is not looking hew best.

Brumby was built in Gosport in 1954 as a prototype for the Jolina class. Around 20 Jolina’s were
built and to the owners knowledge, around half of them survive; they are 35’ (rather than Brumby’s 36’)
and have less head room under decks than Brumby. 

She is a one-off, and a very rare boat.

Nicholson was perhaps the finest, certainly the oldest, English creator of classic wooden yachts. There are not
many of these boats left and should be preserved.

The construction is mahogany on oak with teak decks and a long lead keel. Tonnage is 10TM,
Beam is 9’.

The engine is/was a Yanmar 3GM30. It is currently onboard in parts and I was intending to
replace it, although it may be possible to recondition. 

The electrical system inside has been removed and requires a complete re-install.

The outside (deck and hull) restoration was completed in summer 2012. The work was carried out
under cover in the old boat shed at Brighton Marina. All deck fittings and wooden trims were
removed and repaired/replaced. The deck itself was partially relaid, fully refixed with silicon
bronze screws and re-caulked with Sikaflex, the modern way. 

The entire restored coach and deck was coated in Coelan polyurethane varnish. Most of this work is, 10 years on, still sound. Two bronze keel bolts were drawn and found to be in excellent condition.
The mast was restepped in summer 2015 with new standing + running rigging and re-wired. The
new rigging has never been used under sail.

Restoration of the cabin interiors commenced at the end of 2012, and comprised a complete refit,
stripping out, restoring down to the frames, and building new cabinetry. Most of this work is
completed. Unfinished are parts of the main cabin with integrated galley/nav station.
The new interior cabinetry has been carefully designed to increase the utility of the small space
available. The whole fore-cabin (traditionally an oversight in classic yachts of this size) has been
turned into a double berth with storage below; the berth can also be removed to access the
frames. A new glassed-in chain locker has been fitted to the fore of the berth with drainage into
the head mid-ships. The fore-most storage cabinet behind and above the chain locker is again
removable to enable access. The surrounding cabinetry above/around the berth is built from
reclaimed teak, mahogany and oak.

Midships a new flush-fitted Larch cabinet fills the space portside, Larch was selected for its light
colour in the least well lit part of the cabin. This cabinet includes a vented cut-out space for a
Waeco/Dometic CRD50 drawer fridge. I have not bought the fridge, but the frame is fitted,
allowing simple installation at an appropriate time. The mid-ships starboard situated head has
been extended slightly to port-side (around 6inches) and the floor has been lowered. The new
head has been designed/built as a wet room. It is glassed/epoxied all around, and the floor is
constructed of a removable 10mm SS panel bolted onto a rubber gasket with a shower-sump
covered by a teak grate. A new bespoke fibreglass/timber black water holding tank has been
installed, along with a sliding sink-tray, a restored Baby Blake toilet, and new seacocks.

Following work mid-ships, new exterior cabin doors and sliding hatch were built/installed, and
yet-to-be-completed work on the main cabin commenced from the top down; the interior cabin
roof and sides have been restored, including new clear glass reliefs around the inside of the main
windows (which were a weak point), and the main-cabin sea-rails have been replaced with
structural (very strong) shelf/rails to port and starboard. I removed a good condition Taylors 079D
traditional cabin heater and was intending to fit more modern heating/cooking equipment.
However, if desired I may be able to include the Taylors heater with the boat and it could be reinstalled.

Along with the photos provided with this listing, the owner has many more showing details over the years
of the restoration, available to anyone who is interested.

Brumby is currently open to offers.

Brokers comments:

There isn't a huge amount  more to say! Boats like this don't come available that often. Brumby is a Mahogany on Oak, solid timber classic boat that requires an enthusiast who can devote time and money to restoring her to her former glory. The current owner really wants her to go to a good home and not end up as another rotting timber boat lost forever. The engine can be replaced by the boat yard where she currently lays. Please phone to make an appointment to view.