I purchased Weaverbird from David Tyler in 2021 and have had a fantastic time on her over the last couple of years, exploring the West Coast of Scotland. She’s a great wee boat and David’s wing sail conversion is superb, as are the various other modifications that make her seaworthy and easily handled.
I travel frequently with my work, and will be working in Antarctica most summer seasons going forwards. Sadly for Weaverbird this means she isn’t getting the use she deserves, and I’m not going to manage to launch her this season. I’d like her to be used and enjoyed so I’ve decided to sell her on.
A full inventory is copied in below. Weaverbird now has a good quality SBS road trailer and a petrol outboard to complement her electric one.
David sold Weaverbird on the scheme of £100 x the buyer’s age, which worked out well for me at age 30 and felt incredibly generous given the level of equipment on board. I’m just looking to sell her for the same price, ie. £3000.
The trailer is an SBS DK2000, bought new two years ago and custom adjusted by SBS to fit Weaverbird’s bilge keels. The ‘new’ cost for a DK2000 is £5100, and I’m selling this one for £2900.
The outboard is a Tohatsu 6HP MFS6DSL Sailpro, bought new in 2021 and now with around 20 hours’ use. Dealer serviced each season. This cost £1230 new, selling for £750.
Weaverbird is currently on her trailer in Aberdeenshire. My preferred option would be for everything to go as a package, but I’m open to selling boat, trailer and outboard separately.
Let me know if you’d like any further details or photos. A big thank-you to David again for the opportunity to sail his lovely boat over the last couple of years - I’m sure the next owner will continue to enjoy a unique junk with capacity for some big adventures.
Inventory:
- Weaverbird - 1989 Hunter Duette 23 converted to junk rig (wing sail) by David Tyler.
- Aluminium mast (approx 35 kg, 9.5 m long, of which 1.1 m below deck, keel stepped with a substantial wooden key and oak wedges at the deck partners for easy installation and removal.
- 7-panel wing sail. Running rigging in excellent condition, halyard replaced last year.
- Tiller steering. Rudder stripped, inspected and repainted 2021.
- David Tyler designed and built wind vane with servo-pendulum self-steering.
- David Tyler-designed and made pram hood on folding tubular frame over companionway hatch with adjustable seat for watch keeping, helming and sail handling under cover.
- Haswing Protruar 5.0/24V electric outboard
- Tohatsu 6HP MFS6DSL Sailpro petrol outboard, 20 hours’ use. 12 litre fuel container and hose.
- 2 x 50W Photonic Universe solar panels
- Photonic Universe remote meter MT50
- Photonic Universe Tracer MPPT solar charge controller
- 2 x RB100 12.8V 100 Ah lithium iron phosphate (LiPO4) ReLiON batteries
- 3D Tender Round Air 160 inflatable dinghy with pump and carry bag, and 2-piece Werner kayak paddle
- 6 kg Vulcan galvanised steel anchor with 10 m x 8 mm chain and 30 m x 6 mm chain
- 6 kg Rocna galvanised steel anchor with 10 m x 6 mm chain and 25 m rope
- 2 x sea anchors (designed and made by David Tyler - untested)
- Blue Sea Systems switch panel 12v DC (nav lights, anchor light, cabin lights, instruments, VHF, 12v DC outlets for recharging tablets, phones etc)
- Standard Horizon Explorer VHF
- Digital Yacht iAISTX Class B AIS transponder with WiFi
- Furuno GPS/WAAS Navigator GP-32
- Nasa Cruiser depth system
- Plastimo compass Contest 101 mounted on bridgedeck
- Lewmar 16 self-tailing winch and handle
- Alcohol single burner stove
- Composting toilet designed & built by David Tyler
- Various other accessories: folding swim ladder, fender, boat hooks, fire extinguishers, 5 x 10 L water containers, flag staff/ensign, anchor ball, radar reflector, tools and repair consumables, LED flare etc etc
Trailer:
- SBS Trailers DK2000 amended to fit two keel trays for Weaverbird’s bilge keels and add a spare wheel and mounting bracket. Bought new in September 2021, has completed 950 miles to date. Weight of trailer 550 kg. Total capacity 2000 kg.