Golden Fleece of Mersea' A Brief History

Yacht's History: 'Golden Fleece' was built in South Africa in 1974 to the previous year's design from Sparkman & Stephens for 'Marionette IV. She represented South Africa at the Admiral's Cup in Cowes in 1975 winning 133 points. She went on to win Rothman's Week in Cape Town the same year and campaigned in many other ocean races around the South African coast. Michael Wheeler, the current owner found her in Durban in 1999 in rather a sorry state. He bought her and after a hurried refit sailed her to Rio de Janeiro in the 2000 Cape to Rio Race. In Rio she broke away from her mooring, went aground filled with water and was threatened with arrest by the Brazilian authorities for overstaying her permitted time in Brazil. She was then raised, made seaworthy and sailed back to the UK over a 14 month period. Upon arrival in Falmouth in 2003 Michael sailed her to West Mersea where she was surveyed and subsequently shipped by road to the Elephant Boatyard in 2004 which was to become her home for the five year restoration. Completed and re-launched in May 2009.

Refits Carried Out: 'Golden Fleece' underwent a complete five year restoration at the Elephant Boatyard from 2004-2009. This included the removal of any questionable timbers, a re-designed and new interior, epoxy sheathing of hull and sub deck, new electrics, plumbing, standing rigging, teak deck, cockpit, engine and sails. The spars were re-painted white and the topsides finished in Awlgrip flag blue.

 

YACHT DESCRIPTION

 

Owner:	Michael S Wheeler
Designer:	Sparkman & Stephens
Class:	S&S 41 OD
Year Designed:	1970
Year Built:	1974
Builder:	Gordon Neil Durban S.Africa
LOA:  12.56 m 41.25 ft LOD: 12.06 m 39.10 ft Beam: 3.65 m 12.00 ft Draft: 2.0 m 6.6 ft LWL: 9.05 m 30 ft
LOD/WL Ratio:	xxx
Displacement:	10.14tonnes
Thames Measurement:	15.95
Hull Material:	Wood
Hull Construction:	Cold Moulded
Hull Frames:	Laminated & aluminium
Rudder:	Skeg hung
Sail Material:	Dacron
Deck & Superstructure:	Timber laid on ply deck
Superstructure Profile:	Flush deck
Interior:	Classic Cruising
Steering:	Wheel
Transom:	Aft Sloping
Rig:	Bermudan Sloop
Engine Make:	Yanmar
Engine HP:	54
Engine Mounted:	Beneath cockpit
Propeller:	Folding
Propeller Blades:	3
Mast Material:	Aluminium
Mast Configuration:	2 spreaders
Keel Configuration:	Fin
Keel Material:	Lead