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CHARMINA

Albert Strange · Ernest C Woods of Cantley, Norfolk

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About this yacht

What a wonderful small yacht; fully reflecting the character of her designer, whose specialisation in this field was for small yachts at a time when there were a lot of large ones. It is no accident this gaff yawl evokes beauty - for Albert Strange was a well known artist more than capable of converting his excellent sense of shape and form into really practical boats, typically capable of being sailed by one person. CHARMINA in the present day has benefitted moreover from long ownership by a professional rigger with evident positive consequences for the rig she now carries. This simple yawl is indeed charm personified yet is fully functional with practicality, good handling and is unspoilt to boot.

Key details

Designer
Albert Strange
Builder
Ernest C Woods of Cantley, Norfolk
Date
1923
Length overall
36 ft 1 in / 10.99 m
Length deck
28 ft 0 in / 8.53 m
Length waterline
23 ft 4 in / 7.1 m
Beam
8 ft 2 in / 2.5 m
Draft
3 ft 11 in / 1.2 m
Displacement
4.5 Tonnes
Construction
Pitch pine planking on oak frames
Engine
Bukh 8 HP Diesel
Location
United Kingdom
Price
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Specification

Specification section 1 Navigation
- Original clock
- Original barometer
- Original steering compass
Specification section 2 Safety
- Manual bilge pump
- Electric bilge pump
Specification section 3 Refitting and maintenance
1989 Stuart Turner petrol engine was replaced with 8 HP Bukh Diesel
1995 Chain plates replaced
1997 Floors removed, re galvanised and refitted with all new hot dipped galv fastenings
1997 Silicon bronze keel bolts were removed, inspected and all found in good condition
2002 Converted back to original gaff rig with new sails
2004 All sea cock bolts removed and replaced with silicone bronze
2007 Last survey carried out
2010 Engine taken out for overhaul including stern tube and replacement of prop shaft
Most winters taken out of the water for antifouling, varnishing and topside painting
Specification section 4 Mechanical electrical and tankage
- 8 HP Bukh Engine
- 20 Litre Diesel tank
- Battery {new 2012]
Specification section 5 Deck layout equipment and ground tackle
- 35lb CQR 20 m x 3/8th inch chain 70 m X 6 mm Octoplait
- 2 x Gibb bronze winches
- Manual anchor windlass
- Lunchtime kedge
Specification section 6 Rig, spars and sails
Spars
- Douglas fir main mast
- Douglas fir gaff mizzen mast
- Carbon gaff with wood veneer

Sail wardrobe all about 6/7 yrs old
- Main
- Mizzen
- Mizzen staysail
- Genoa
- Working jib
- Stormsail
- Staysail
- Asymmetric
Specification section 7 Construction
The vessel is of round bilge construction with pitch pine planking on steamed oak timbers fastened with copper boat nails, roves and galvanised through-fastenings in respect of the floors.

The hull form is of a heavy displacement type with slack bilges, long keel with external lead keel and canoe stem, under which is hung the rudder at the end of the long keel.
Specification section 8 History
CHARMINA is one of the last Albert Strange designs built (1923) and has only had 6 owners in her 90 years. Among them was author Keble Chatterton who owned her in the 30s and wrote three books about his trips “Through Brittany in Charmina”, “On the Riviera in Charmina” and “To the Mediterranean in Charmina” – a copy of each goes with the boat.

Having bought her in 1983, her current owner has since then cruised her locally in the Solent area and also raced her in many of the OGA Solent races; she being the proud winner of the YOGAFF series twice during his ownership, with family and friends as crew.
Specification section 9 Accommodation and domestic equipment
- 2 x Saloon berths
- Pipe cot forward
- Quarter berth
- Baby Blake WC
- Oil cabin light
- 3 x Electric cabin lights