32ft Holman Sovereign Ketch 1964
Makers: Uphams of Brixham Devon
Design C.R.Holman 32ft Sovereign Class Cruiser/Racer Year: 1963
Condition: Professionally refurbished by Harry Kings boatyard.
Category: Classic Sail
Class: Antique and Classics
Keel Type: Full Keel
Description
Refit 2025 After extensive refit 2016
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Merewif, Hull No: 2 of the Sovereign Class, a Kim Holman design built by Uphams Boatyard of Bri, 1964. Lloyds Registered built to A100 A1 standard for Ocean use.
The vessel is a wooden aft cockpit auxiliary cruising yacht with a traditional long keel and transom hung rudder. Rigged as a masthead Bermudan ketch.
The vessel had been extensively restored over the past years and now continued under the current owner.
Sailed around the East Coast, in and out of West Mersea with Gowens Ltd, the sail makers, and contemporaries of the Yacht’s designer Kim Holman.
She spent 18 years under cover and under restoration with Harry Kings Boatyard, Pin Mill before being sold to her present owner.
Merewif has been restored to near new condition.
Measurements
Length Overall: 9.75m 32ft Length Of Deck: 9.75m
Length At Water Line: 7.54m Beam: 2.81m
Draft: 1.22m Air Draft: 10.67 m Approx
Max Draft: 1.29m 4ft 3ins
Specifications
Displacement: 9.00 tonnes
Cruising Speed: 5 knots
Engine Power: 37.5HP
Number of Engines: 1
Accommodation
Berths: 4
Cabins: 2
Heads: 1
Passenger Capacity: 4
Builder/Designer
Builder: Uphams of Brixham
Designer: Kim Holman
Boat Name: Merewif
Hull
Hull Material: Wood, carvel planked
Hull Design: Displacement, long keel
Hull Speed: 8: knots
Construction:
Under refit 2015
A displacement hull Carvel planked long iron ballast keel. Open aft deep cockpit.
Pitch Pine planking below the waterline, Mahogany above. Approx 5 tons.
Cockpit self-draining, four drains through sea cocks.
A lazarette and it holds the two gas bottles.
Last survey was 2021.
Works included:
Keel was dropped and re-bedded, new keel bolts. New teak laid decks on marine ply.
New engine installed. More recent works before relaunching April 2022 have included.
re-placement of rudder stock and cheeks. Hull stripped, the planking was checked out by a qualified shipwright, all found to be in good order.
Re-upholstery of the berth cushions , a new gas system for a new cooker.
Navigation gear, wired in, and new safety gear installed.
The vessel is now in full commission and ready for the Cruising Season.
Coach roof re glassed and painted, new fore hatch , new water tank , new Jabsco toilet installed.
Engine
A new Beta Marine diesel, four cylinder engine 2015, 37hp, raw water cooled and intercooler.
new shaft bearings and triple bladed fixed propeller were installed during this refit.
Only 160 hours, May 2025. 2 x fuel tanks capacity of 26gallons. Morse controls in the cockpit, electric start
Engine sited under the companionway steps, PRM 150 Newage Gearbox
Fuel tanks x 2 under cockpit seating, one each side.
Sails:
In 2015 New masts and spars (Main and Mizzen, 2 x new booms), new stainless steel tabernacle for the main mast . New fittings added to masts and rig. New Furling genoa gear
The rig and spars were kept in store, unused, until 2018 when she was put in to commission after the extensive restoration.
Her sails were unused and never been used, kept in store with Gowens of Mersea.
The sails include: Main sail, mizzen. furling genoa, They have now had 3 seasons usage. All in white.
A storm jib & tri sail remain unused. She has an inner forestay to set the storm jib and an additional main mast track for the tri sail.
Two part self stacking white canvas sail covers on the booms.
Halyards & Sheets. Rigging gear and equipment Winch handles , shackle keys, knife , fid and maul
Accommodation
Generous headroom below, 6ft 1 ins . 4 x berths all at 6ft 3ins in length.
A Double “V” berth in the foc’sle. Glazed Houdini hatch in the foredeck .”Heads” amidships with new Jabsco sea toilet, A hanging wet locker to opposite.
In the saloon there are two opposing bench berths purpose built stowage lockers and shelving .
One water tank capacity unknown, polythene water tank is under the cabin sole. Manually pumped water to galley sink with integral drainer.
Either side of the companionway steps. Navigation station and the galley facility.
Double doors ( with lock) to the companionway with sliding hatch over.
Vents in the coach roof.
Deck Gear
BicYak 245 GRP tender with oars rowlocks and a towing bridle.
Simpson Lawrence 555 double gypsy manual windlass.
35lbs Anchor with 50m chain , an anchor bridle.
Black cone and Ball , 2 x Boathooks, Bucket and deck scrubber
Cockpit cushions, Boarding ladder.
An overall Winter cover with wooden ridge pole.
Fenders & Warps
Navigation Gear
AIS via a Quarkelec receiver, compass.
Navigation lights, all LED. Clipper echo sounder in the cockpit.
Standard horizon GX1400 GPS/E VHF radio
Wi fi with Navionics Boating read from a 10inch android tablet.
Tiller steering. Pelagic autopilot with remote control
Electrics
2 x Heavy duty batteries with switch over isolator.
Cabin lights, all but are LEDs
Deck flood lights
Safety Equipment
Two manual and one automatic bilge pump.
Fire extinguishers, Fire Blanket.
Grab rails on the coach roof.
Hand holds in the cabin.