1965 Fairey Huntsman 28 for sale in Colchester, England
1965 Fairey Huntsman 28 for sale in Colchester, England
In Concours condition after a multi-year renovation with new: engines; gearboxes; teak decks; navigation equipment; wiring; interior; propellers; canopy; etc, this Fairey Huntsman 28 is on a custom yard trailer and housed in a purpose-built barn.
Words like ‘outstanding’ and ‘immaculate’ fail to convey just how excellent this 1965 ‘Shikari’ build number #79 is (and please note that there is another Huntsman 28 called ‘Shikari’).
Huntsman 28s were built by Fairey Marine in Hamble and were the offshore production classic diesel cruisers that set the standard by which other boats of the 1960s were measured – and remain a design icon.
This Huntsman 28 benefits from a painstaking renovation and there are (several) folders of receipts and (many) hundreds of pictures detailing the work. Shikari has the optional wooden keel to protect the propellers and rudders – there were few marinas in 1965 – providing additional benefits of stability during a passage and manoeuvrability at low speed due to increased ‘grip’ on the water. The hull still has the reinforced fittings for the optional beaching legs (not available).
A couple of years ago, after the renovation, Shikari was lifted by crane into the river at the bottom of the garden so all systems were subsequently tested on several trips, including a festival in St Katherine’s dock in London. Subsequently, Shikari has been little used so now needs a new owner (plus new antifoul and new anodes) to immediately enjoy this head-turner.
From the bow, moving aft, this Huntsman 28 has the standard layout of vee berths with a pull-out table to starboard with a galley to port (and further aft, the heads with a slide-out wash-basin). Details include: all new upholstery; all new curtains; white halogen lights high in the cabin; red floor lighting for night vision; induction oil-fired hotplate; pressurised cold and hot water from a calorifier using engine heat with an electric immersion heater; electrically-pumped WC. There is a substantial electrical switch panel and an automatic Stirling Marine battery charger. (Waste water from the galley and heads goes to a grey/black water holding tank further aft).
Some steps lead to the command console with all-new Garmin equipment with a VHF radio. New seats are mounted on the very well-made engine hatches with noise insulation underneath. The engine room has two new Volvo D3 engines and gearboxes with very low hours. The bilges are spotless, in keeping with the rest of this boat.
The cockpit has lighting to the sides and seating across the transom and there are 8 fenders in matching fender-socks plus ropes, boat-hook, etc. A new tonneau cover is also provided to protect this remarkable craft. A 24V Kent screen was kept due to its originality on a dedicated circuit – the rest of the boat being 12V.
The propellers have 4 blades each and ML trim tabs are fitted.
Next Steps. The Volvo Dealership that commissioned these engines after installation are about to visit and a video will be made to show the engines running. Also, a ‘Condition Survey’ by an accredited and independent Marine Surveyor is being commissioned for insurance purposes.
Serious enquirers should contact the Broker in the first instance.