Curtis, Frank, Looe for sale

WILLOWMOON – HISTORIC 1942 ADMIRALTY VESSEL – DISTRESS SALE
– ALL SERIOUS OFFERS CONSIDERED
Location: Vilanova Shipyard, Spain

An unusual opportunity to acquire WILLOWMOON, a historic British Admiralty vessel built in 1942 and subsequently converted into a traditional two-masted gaff ketch.
Approximately 65ft long, WILLOWMOON is a substantial wooden vessel with documented maritime heritage.

Although listed as a RESTORATION PROJECT, the hull has already undergone extension restoration, which can be seen in the previous brokers photos
Vilanova Shipyard holds clear ownership title and is seeking a prompt sale to a purchaser capable of taking responsibility for the vessel.

SALE INCLUDES:
• Clear title of ownership
• Fee of all encumbrances
• Shipyard relaunch charges
• One calendar month's hardstanding grace period
• Viewing by prior arrangement
After the grace period, Yard hardstanding rates apply.
The vessel is offered in her current condition. Her seaworthiness and the full extent of restoration work required have not been established, but a brief detail below this works total 220k EUR

WILLOWMOON – Restoration & Refit History 2023-26
Willowmoon has been the subject of an extensive programme of traditional timber restoration, structural repairs and refurbishment. The documented programme, undertaken principally by specialist wooden boatyard Astilleros de Catalunya in Badalona, Spain, covers the vessel’s hull, deck, structural framing and sailing rig, with particular attention to preserving her traditional character and construction.
Hull and Deck Restoration
A comprehensive programme of hull restoration was specified, including replacement of 74 hull planks across both port and starboard sides: 36 upper hull planks, 2 bilge planks, 16 aft planks, 12 forward planks and 8 lower midships planks. A further 8 sections of rubbing strake were specified in Iroko hardwood.
Traditional boatbuilding techniques were specified throughout, incorporating hot-dip galvanised fastenings, stainless-steel fixings and caulking with tarred yarn and oakum. Additional work included sanding, inspecting, refastening and re-caulking existing planking between the bilges and keel.
The deck programme included installation of 10 Oregon pine planks around the deck and waterways, together with a proposed 20 mm Oregon pine deck overlay to address water ingress. Bonding with Sikaflex 298 and seam sealing with Sikaflex 290 were specified, alongside refurbishment of timber sections of the forward and aft deckhouses.
Structural Framing and Timber Repairs
Structural restoration was specified to the internal framing, including replacement of 17 oak frame arms: 8 port and 9 starboard. New components were to be templated, manufactured in oak and secured with 14 mm stainless-steel rods before receiving protective coatings.
The principal restoration quotation also listed renewal of an approximately 2-metre port-side engine-room stringer and 5 oak frame arms per side, at no additional charge. These are separately quoted quantities and may overlap with later frame-repair specifications.
Stem and Sternpost Restoration
The sternpost reinforcement specification included 6 Iroko strengthening sections, 3 per side, bonded with G-Flex and secured using stainless-steel fastenings including 16 mm bolts. Further works comprised replacement of a curved connecting timber, installation of 2 oak reinforcement blocks and renewal of 3 larch hull planks. Sternpost cracks were to be filled using G-Flex epoxy.
At the bow, removal of 4 hull planks was specified to allow replacement of the inner stem with a new Iroko component, followed by reinstatement of the 4 planks in larch.
The forward stem had two alternative repair specifications: approximately 3.5 metres of replacement Iroko timber or a localised 1.25-metre section. Both options specified 20 mm stainless-steel bolts; these alternatives should not be presented as cumulative work.
Hull Preservation and Caulking
Timber preservation included proposed double-vacuum autoclave treatment of larch and 2 coats of Interprotec epoxy primer. Bostik MSR sealant was specified for previously caulked hull seams and fastening heads on both sides.
Further seam work included removal and renewal of approximately 10 rubber-sealed seams on each side of the hull, followed by re-caulking and Sikaflex sealing to improve watertight integrity.
Mast, Spar and Rigging Refurbishment
The sailing-rig programme included proposed unstepping of both the mainmast and mizzen mast, with associated booms and fittings, to facilitate inspection and refurbishment.
Timber work included fabrication of 1 replacement fork-shaped spar fitting in pine, reusing the original metal fittings, and 2 new pine sections to address deterioration at the base of the mizzen mast.
Filling and sanding of defects in the mainmast, mizzen mast and bowsprit with G-Flex epoxy was specified, followed by 2 protective coats to the spars.

URGENT SALE – PRICE NEGOTIABLE
Our priority is securing a serious purchaser who can arrange a prompt transfer and make suitable arrangements for the vessel's future.

Please contact us with your proposed offer, intended plans for the vessel and anticipated timescale for taking responsibility.