55' Nicholson Gaff Yawl (1920) - PATNA

Even in 2005 it was becoming almost impossible to find an unrestored but in commission, high pedigree early 20th Century classic cruiser-racer of 50 feet and over. PATNA was one of those rarities, and in Greg Powlesland (MARIGOLD, COLLINETTE) and Katie Fontana she found exactly the right owners to take her forward with full reverence for impeccable Camper & Nicholsons provenance and authenticity. Few and careful owners over almost a century had ensured that so much of PATNA could be preserved, but no shortcuts were taken during a five-year restoration, so that PATNA in her second century is a thoroughly practical classic yacht capable of taking her owners for long periods of voyaging in great comfort and style.

OWNER’S COMMENTS
It’s curious, time and memory, for I’m sure that after the exhaustion of the restoration of MARIGOLD, I resolved never to take on such a task again. Yet here I was, sitting in PATNA’s saloon in 2005, surrounded by blackened and bashed Edwardian mahogany panelling and faded olive green buttoned leather sofas. A verdigreed oil lamp swung from the central six-pane skylight, with its worn sennit a reminder of restraint against vast gale-lashed seas that laid PATNA on her beam ends when her steering broke in mid-Atlantic in 1983. A wonderful aroma of ancient worn wood, a hint of paraffin and Katie’s enthusiasm to save this almost-ready-to-sail but tired nautical masterpiece of Charles Nicholson were eroding my resolve. Shall we? Yes!

Broker: Sandeman Yacht Company

See this vessel on their site: https://www.sandemanyachtcompany.co.uk/yacht/712/PATNA#