Victoria Shadow Association Members' Forum

David_Skinner

Member

Registered: 2006-08-08

Posts: 2

For sale - Frances 26 cutter "Snowgoose"

FRANCES 26 “Snowgoose” Cutter rig, built 1986, 2 previous owners when purchased in 2006 for £29,000 with road trailer. In good condition then and now. Snowgoose was booked and ready to crane-in from Woodbridge yard for another season out of Ramsholt (mooring not for sale) until reluctant last-minute decision to sell and downsize to a motorboat – the unthinkable occasioned by age etc. catching up (mine, not the boat’s).  Although for now on dry land, she remains scheduled for pre-launch prep, except anti-foul, and will be substantially ready to sail or motor away.  She is not however spruced up or cleared out for marketing but I’m perfectly happy for her to be viewed as she stands, by prior arrangement.

FURTHER DETAILS, VERY BRIEFLY:

On the upside: professionally serviced, maintained & repaired throughout; original spec and inventory retained and serviceable if not replaced and upgraded over the years, numerous renewals/enhancements including for example (in rough chronological order): Jabsco 2000 compact manual head (regularly serviced with spares kit), Bengco s/s charcoal heater (removed but available to retro-fit), Avon Redstart 8’ inflatable, Sterling Inverter, 6 coats Gelshield 200 osmosis protection epoxy (purely opportune and precautionary – no evidence of osmosis at any time), Plastimo Neptune 2500/S LPG Cooker (and fully equipped galley etc.), Nanni 2.50HE 14HP diesel (replacing 9hp Yanmar) (approx. 700 engine hours), DSC ICOM M505 VHF & Icom h/h IC-M71, Garmin GPS 152 (and eTrex h/h), Selden Furlex 105S (but to best of my knowledge original main, jib, genoa & staysail, save jib & genny 6mm luff bolt ropes replaced with 5mm to fit new Furlex slot size), guard wires, exceedingly comfy memory foam bunk over-mattresses and fitted sheets, hardwood laminated tiller, NASA Marine Target 2 depth sounder, sail covers, Forespar ADJ 7-15 telescopic 3-part whisker pole (hardly used, needs unjamming!), bowsprit, standing & running rigging, Ocean Safety Standard Offshore 4-person liferaft canister, teak hand-grabs, LEDs in all cabin lights, Ocean Canvas sprayhood (impossible to keep white), sheets & washboards, head’s discharge Maestrini 1½" ball valve stopcock, Plastimo 100 litre water tank (bag), 2 x Numax XV24MF 80Ah batteries, Ctek M15 mains charger, USB socket for phone charging… and much more.

On the downside: Although considered a modern classic by some, to others the Frances 26’s traditional design will seem dated. And on any measure this boat is 38 years old. In my estimation her functionality as a small cruising yacht has only increased over the years by virtue of incremental improvements above and below decks, but inevitably there is (largely superficial, I would say) wear and tear inside and out, such as the odd gel coat scratch, and brightwork belying its name.  On specifics, as it occurs to me, the paddle wheel log and fixed compass are both barely useable, but no occasion to use. There are no superfluous electronics. One switchboard push button needs replacing (routine, and I believe I have and anyway know the spec and source for spares).

I have a ludicrous amount of archive and up to date documentation and record-keeping, including old surveys, and snapshot photos. No video tour I’m afraid!  I suspect that anyone thinking of buying a Frances 26 will already know what they are looking for and very properly rely on their own inspection and survey before proceeding, but I see no reason why Snowgoose, similarly cared for, should not be giving as much enjoyment and satisfaction for another 38 years.

Please contact for more detail if of interest – davidwskinner22@outlook.com