Description
Commissioned in 1971/2 and launched in 1973. Steel construction (hull, keel, decks, cockpit) with much replacement plating carried out during her restoration 2014-2019. Wheel steering with new steering cables 2023. 8 berths. Bermudan sloop rig. Fin keel. GRP anchor well to prevent corrosion.
A complete rebuild from 2014 to 2019 included all new 3mm steel decks, 60% of the hull was replaced in 4mm steel. The hull and decks were faired with marine grade epoxy filler. The interior was sandblasted, coated and foam strayed. The decks and toe rail are Synthetic teak by Sea Dek from Tollesbury, UK, laid in 2018 whilst the boat was undercover. The re-build was carried out in the workshop at North Fambridge, UK, no expense was spared. "Windrunner" was launched on the 30th June 2019.
The Dome hatch above the aft cabin is called a Storm Hatch which serves as full headroom in the aft cabin. And opens either front to rear, or rear to front.
2024 IRC certificate of 0.884 not rated to race with a spinnaker.
BUILDER
Designed by Dick Zaal (of Contest Yachts fame) and built in Holland.
DMENSIONS
Length 12.5 M 41'0"
Beam 3.9 M 12'9"
Draft 2.2 M 7'3"
Weight between 12 to 14 ton
Cruising speed 6 knots
Dick Zaal designed 41ft (12.5m) steel Dutch classic yacht, fully restored 2014-2019, built and then re-fitted to the highest standards, 8 berths in 2 cabins plus saloon, fabulous interior completely restored and improved, recent sails and rigging, electronics, bowthruster, heating and hot water. Fully in commission (sailed UK to Holland and Belgium 2024) and ready to go!
MECHANICAL
Volvo Penta MD22 50hp inboard diesel (1998 with 14 years in storage). Shaft drive to fixed 3 blade propeller. 2 alternators. Approx 215 litre fuel capacity. May 2024 - engine service, oil & filter, 2 fuel filters, new water pump.
BOWTHRUSTER
Sidepower SE80 bowthruster (2021) with control at helm.
ELECTRICAL
2 x 220 Amp/hr heavy duty house batteries (2023), 1 x 12v engine start battery, 1 x 12v bowthruster/windlass battery. LED lighting. Blue sea 8084 AC main 21 switch panel AC Volts, DC volts & 12 Volts distribution. Battery charger.
NAVIGATION
Plastimo compass, ST60 log, depth and wind above companionway, ST60 multi at chart table, Raymarine DSC VHF radio, Raymarine EV100 autopilot computer including fluxgate compass & control head, Raymarine Element 9 plotter at chart table, AIS, Raymarine Element 9 plotter at helm with radar, full Thames Estuary charts, clock, barometer and inclinometer, navigation lights. All electronic instruments 2019 - 2022.
SAFETY
Jon Buoy recovery module, horseshoe lifebuoy, fire extinguishers, EPIRB, carbon monoxide detector, manual and electric bilge pumps.
DECK GEAR
Stainless steel pulpit, split pushpit, stanchions and guardwires (all 2019), grey sprayhood (Elite 2021), grey cockpit cushions (2020), wheel steering with pedestal wheel cover, Gebo hatches main saloon & forepeak, additional opening porthole in rear cabin, 2 x Barlow 32 ST sheet winches, 2 x Barlow 36 ST sheet winches, 2 x Lewmar 44 halyard winches to coachroof with lines led aft to clutches, fixed kicker, carbon spinnaker pole, outboard bracket on pushpit, (dinghy and electric outboard may be available), deck gas locker with cover, deck BBQ, 25kg main anchor with chain, electric anchor windlass, kedge anchor, custom made hatch covers (Elite 2022), boom tent (2020), deck shower, mooring warps and fenders.
SAILS
Slab reefing mainsail (2021 One Sails, 3 reefs) with grey mainsail cover (2021 One Sails). Furlex genoa roller reefing system. No1 Genoa (2021 One Sails). Both sails cross cut superior quality woven polyester. Headsail has padded luff for better shape for furling plus UV strip. Cruising chute with sock. Alloy mast (strapped and re-painted then polished), powder coated alloy boom. Stainless steel standing rigging (2019). 10mm Dyneema 78 non-stretch halyards (2019).
DOMESTIC
Webasto Airtop evo 40 diesel heating with 3 outlets (2019/20). TV aerial & Digiyacht WiFi (25 miles offshore). Dometic cooker with oven (2019), front opening refrigerator, hot and cold water supply to sink, hot water via calorfier or 240v. 3 x stainless steel water tanks. Electric flush Jabsco freshwater flush sea toilet in separate heads compartment with shower and hot & cold water. Teak style quality marine carpet throughout. Grey fabric upholstery. 3 lee cloths. Teak box on rear deck with elite grey cover houses two gas bottles and H&C deck shower attachment.
ACCOMMODATION
8 berths in 2 cabins plus saloon.
OWNERS COMMENTS
OWNERS REMARKS
"Windrunner" is a Dutch built Dick Zaal designed 12.5 M steel yacht relaunched in 2019 after a meticulous rebuild. Only about 40% of the original hull from 1973 remains. The teak interior was removed and then carefully rebuilt with modern modifications throughout. Every joint is glued and screwed, not one squeak at sea from the joinery or floors. There is full standing headroom to the forward bulkhead. The chart table and galley were completely redesigned. There are eight berths throughout including a double and single berth in the rear cabin. Tremendous care has been taken with all the joinery below where all the original quality teak from the 1970’s has been carefully restored. The attention to detail is very special with mood lighting, matching wood grain, teak looking carpet and two custom wine cabinets. Even the galley has a front-loading fridge to free up work top space, it’s a good offshore galley with 4-inch-high edging to keep things in place, deep stainless-steel sink, mixer tap with pressurised hot and cold water. The ceiling is light grey vinyl with 3mm foam with individual panels no wider than 30cm going forward to aft. Adjacent the galley is the large walk-in locker/store for tools, ropes, fenders, and dinghy etc. A very special yet practical yacht.
“Windrunner” has been sailed shorthanded on a regular basis, you get the weight stability with steel. The mainsheet, engine controls, chart plotter, winches and galley are all close at hand, to be able to pass up a coffee to the person on the wheel, without a flight of stairs through a raised deck saloon is rare on a steel boat.
RESTORATION
Full details of restoration on request
Plus breakdown of year by year items fitted following re-fit
Survey in 2018/19 for insurance
OWNERS HISTORY
I have had the pleasure in meeting Teun Pooter from Alkmaar in the Netherlands, he commissioned the Dutch yard to build her 1971/72, he worked closely with Dick Zaal, upon meeting him he told me that he had a second yacht built for his father. He kept the yacht until 1983, I do not know the history from 1983 to 1996. August 1996, she reappeared off the coast of Cornwall, but with a £4M drug haul onboard. Windrunner was impounded then confiscated by the HMRC and therefore the first bill of sale only goes back to 1996/97. From then on, she was owned by Nick Douch until August 2014 when purchased by me.