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AUSSIE FRANCES

Victoria Marine Trunk Cabin Cutter

Condition: Used
State: QLD
Brand: Victoria Yachts - Chuck Paine 'Frances'
Hull Material: Fibreglass
Year: 1990s
Included Items: Anchor, Fire Extinguishers, GPS, Inboard Motor, Radios, Registration, Safety Vests, Sails

You are bidding on one of the most capable pocket cruisers ever built. Designed by famed naval architect Chuck Paine as his own personal vessel, it was designed with safety, comfort at sea and liveability as his primary objectives.

The entire vessel was over built beginning with the solid 1 1/4" GRP hull. The deck and superstructure are GRP over 25mm marine ply. The alloy mast is larger than most 35' boats and the stainless rigging which has been replaced in the past 5 years is twice the diameter of any vessel her size. The bow sprit and dolphin striker are fashioned from solid 1/2" stainless steel. The keel is encapsulated in the hull structure and comprises lead shot ballast that is completely sealed over with GRP.

The Frances is powered by a reliable 17hp Kubota inboard diesel with a mere 374 hours on the clock. The engine drives a fixed 3 blade bronze propeller which is protected by the full keel and skeg hung rudder making it virtually impossible to damage either the prop, shaft or stuffing box. The power configuration on this boat allows you to make way at 5+ kts at 1000rpm - but still has plenty of power left when required to overcome wind or tidal current.

Most of the running rigging has been replaced in 2010 with the exception of the main sheet and all lines have been led aft to facilitate short handed sailing. There is a good sail inventory that includes a new 130% Genoa affixed to a furler on the bow sprit, (a used second genoa stored in sail bag) A cutter sail and storm jib stored in sail bags and a new fully battened main sail affixed rigged with lazy jacks and a boom mounted sail bag.

Most of the electronics on the boat are new in 2010. It comes fitted with a new Raymarine A50 colour GPS/Plotter, a new Garmin 90 Fishfinder/Depth, it has a gimballed bulkhead mounted compass, Autohelm ST4000 Autopilot, Autohelm Bi-Data Wind/Depth, a new Raymarine GPS enabled VHF Radio and an AM/FM stereo with new speaker. The boat is also fitted with a 40Watt solar panel that trickle feeds both the house and starter batteries.

The boat will comfortably sleep three large adults and one child and all the interior cushions are brand new in January 2010. They are constructed from dense 100mm foam and covered in microfibre suede in navy blue with tan accent cushions. The galley is limited but practical. It features plenty of storage space for food stuffs and utensils, it carries 230L of water in two bladders and one 30L hard tank with hand pump to the sink. Cooking is via a new 2 burner gimballed alcohol stove. The galley is also fitted with a stainless safety bar you can steady yourself with or tie into in heavy seas. Both the cabin sole and cockpit sole are finished in non-skid finishes to give added sure footedness.

Aft of the galley is the head, fitted with a porta-potti. It has additional storage aft of that that is currently used as a wet locker area for foul weather gear.

We are reluctantly selling this vessel to move into a larger one that will better accommodate sleeping arrangements for our family and friends. It is a fantastic boat. It is safe in any conditions, it was built to withstand Hurricane force weather. It is very forgiving and impossible to get over on her rail with it's 51.8% ballast ratio and extremely safe for young children or nervous wives. It sails well in light air and incredibly fast in heavy air. You can sail in 30kts without even putting in a reef. In 15kts - 20kts you can comfortably make 6.2kts over ground while passage making with 10 deg. of heel. It is cheap to own, cheap to run and inexpensive to moor. It is the epitome of the 'Sailors Sailboat'

It is currently moored at Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club in Manly, QLD. Berthing space is available there if you wish to keep it in Manly.