Tucker-Brown Kim Holman Cruiser Racer Sloop

Wooden Ships Comments on this Kim Holman Cruiser Racer Sloop

43' bermudan sloop designed by Kim Holman, built by Tucker Brown, Essex in 1967. Yet another example of how the underrated Kim Holman was at the forefront of British yacht design at this time.

This design reflects the cutting edge thinking of the time when wetted surface areas were under consideration and attempts made at reduction by putting the rudder on a skeg separate from the keel and reducing the surface area of the keel which was still a moulded section of the hull and had not yet become the simple fin now universal in GRP designs.

The counter is retrousse, the hull has ample freeboard with the extra beam we came to expect at this time. The additional freeboard means that there is ample head-room below without having a coach-roof the full length of the deck. The coach-roof is restricted to aft of the mast where the cabin sole level is raised over the engine leaving ample, clear fore and side decks.

The cock-pit is particularly attractive being divided in racing fashion with the helmsman right aft untrammelled by the boom and main sheet with a radiussed seat, separating the helm from the crew who have plenty of space to work the 2 pairs of sheet winches from the deep, safe forward well, sheltered behind the coach-roof with a spray-hood over the cabin entrance.

Current Ownership

Bought by the present owners in 2009 after some years of neglect, they spent 3 years rebuilding the boat in preparation for some long distance cruising. A full list of the work carried out is available, but it involved repairs to the hull with new planks, frames and fastenings, various new floors and a new cockpit. The engine was replaced, systems upgraded and the rig improved.

She set sail in 2012 for the Caribbean and has since covered many thousands of miles with her 2 owners, and has proved to be a very comfortable, safe and fast passage making yacht, plus she was raced successfully at the Antigua Classics Regatta.

After many years of adventures it is time to pass the boat on to new owners who can continue to use her as she was designed, and although they will be very sad to see her go the current owners will take solace in the knowledge they will be passing her on in great shape and ready for whatever new adventures await.

Specifications

• Length on Deck: 42’8”


• Length Waterline: 31’6”


• Beam: 11’4”


• Draft: 7’


• Thames Tonnage: 17TM

This is a very fine quality yacht, very nicely built in the best materials, capable of being driven by only 2 crew on fast, comfortable passages. She is easily managed with a sensible rig but is still a fast and competitive yacht.