Description

BROKER’S COMMENTS

RONA is a stunning Classic Stow & Sons Ketch built in 1895. She is presented in very good condition having been well cared for throughout her life by enthusiastic and knowledgeable owners. As with any classic yacht RONA requires constant care and attention and has been kept in great shape, including the addition of modern comforts such as electric heads and air-conditioning. RONA underwent a major rebuild completed in 1997 in the UK. She was subsequently bought by an owner in the UK who cherished her and cruised with her locally. Her following owner had her shipped to Hong Kong where she was a superb platform for enjoying those great waters and also for local informal regattas. This owner has updated her and she has collected many cups in his ownership and been a joy. She is an important part of the UK’s maritime history and you can read a little of this below.

RONA’S HISTORY

When built RONA had a clipper bow, long bowsprit and was rigged as a gaff yawl. She has had various distinguished owners and was raced and cruised until 1937 when disaster struck. In a gale she ran ashore in the West Country and her stem was badly damaged. She was taken to Morgan Giles’ yard in Teignmouth. The war years intervened and her lead keel hidden away. RONA came into the hands of the MOD and sold after the war to Capt. Linsay-Smith M.B.E. The yacht was rebuilt six feet longer with her bow altered to the shape we see today. Re rigged as a cutter-rigged ketch RONA was finally sailing again in 1951. In 1960 she was lent to the Royal Navy training unit and entered the Tall Ships Race before being given back to her owner who had agreed to sell her to Lord Amory.

Lord Amory was an exceptional man. Chancellor of the Exchequer, honored by Her Majesty the Queen and founder of the Amory Award scheme. After suggestions from both The Sea Scouts and Sea Cadets he set up The London Sailing Project and RONA became their flagship. In 1962 RONA entered The Tall Ships Race again and entered almost every race for the next twenty years. The project ran her for 32 years. The years of working her hard were showing and she returned to private ownership in 1993. Although structurally very sound RONA was in need of a major refit. Totally stripped out and restored as the above details show. The work was both extensive and expensive and after four years of hard work RONA was finished. She now sparkles throughout and sails in the splendour she deserves.

RONA is a real delight and a joy to sail. She is remarkable predictable and offers wonderful reassurance when the weather turns nasty. Through all her years sail training RONA was a familiar sight around Northern European waters. She is now gleaming in the sparkling waters of Singapore.

OWNER’S COMMENTS

I had always owned Flybridge Cruisers and was always fond of yachting. I had been on a few twilight sails on 40 footers but never really enjoyed the small cockpits and unusable deck space.

RONA stood out to me as soon as I saw her advertised. A beautiful deck and lots of space. A piece of art from a time when everything was built by hand.

Primarily RONA has been used for getting away with the family. We love going to secluded anchorages and staying a few nights. We also love taking friends sailing. Some trips away have been for 6 months. We recently sailed to Komodo Island in Indonesia from Singapore and back.
Many enjoyable days have been spent carefully maintaining her and admiring her beauty.

We Have Done Numerous Regattas:
1. The Raja Mudah rom Port Klang to Langkawi 2018 and 2019.
2. The Neptune Regatta from Singapore to the Equator 2017,2018,2019, 2020, 2023.
3. Ambassador Cup in Singapore waters 2022.

Of all the regattas the most challenging is the Raja Mudah. Sailing at night with 10 crew aboard in squally conditions. The round trip takes us away for a month. We have many trophies from this event that are displayed in the Marina Bar at Nongsa Point Marina. The biggest and heaviest yacht in the race, we are either powering ahead at 12 knots or at times at 1 or 2 knots in light breeze.

RONA has always had a full time crew of 2 to 4 plus myself. On trips away we take an engineer and a chef.

RONA is best sailed with 8 - 10 people but can be sailed with only 2.
Keeping up the varnishing and bright work is a labour of love but keeps her looking beautiful.

What I love most about RONA is her beauty. Wherever we cruise she is the most beautiful yacht in the port. She commands attention.

At sea she is steadfast and safe in even the most challenging conditions.

In my ownership she has often been called on to provide assistance to smaller boats in bad weather and is a guardian of the fleet.

I am selling RONA as I will be returning to life on a farm in Victoria, Australia with my young family. RONA loves to be sailed often and requires a passionate owner who appreciates the finer things in life and has the time to enjoy her.

RONA is ready to go anywhere the new owner desires I would like to see her amongst other classic yachts. At the age of 128 years she is a spectacular vessel and a rarity amongst yacht.

REFIT HISTORY

Since purchasing Rona in 2017 we have carried out the following major works:

2017:
• New Upholstery and Sunbrella covers in keeping with vintage of the yacht.
• Repair of Main mast.
• Major overall of Hydraulics.
• New Electronic Plotter B&G Vulcan.
• New AIS.

2018:
• Exterior paint of the hull.
• Rebuild Genset.
• New stove and refrigerator.

2019:
• New rear cabin Climax Air conditioner.
• New hot water system.
2020:
• New tender and 10hp motor.
• New Electric Flush toilets.

2021:
• Rebuild Hydraulic Pump.
• Replace fresh water pumps.
• Replace refrigeration and water maker pumps.

2022 / 2023:
• New anchor.
• Renovate heads compartment.
• Exterior paint.

2024:
• Port head – Removal of all plywood and replacement with varnished hardwood (2024).
• Front starboard shower – Removal of all plywood. Walls and floors have been tiled with mosaic (2024).

Varnishing all timber and the decks is ongoing and never stops.
Currently there are no repairs required and the RONA is maintained in optimal condition.

Specifications

Accommodation

11 berths in 3 cabins plus the Doghouse and Saloon. 7 berths in the cabins, with 2 additional sea-berths in Doghouse and 2 pipecots in the Main Saloon.
Custom upholstery (New 2017).
Custom bed line.

DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT

Galley:
2 burner gas stove with an extraction fan.
Bar fridge with under counter fridge and freezer.
New microwave.
New rice cooker.
New Nespresso coffee machine.
New blenders and toaster.
Quality tableware and glassware for up to 20 people.
Extensive amount of kitchen utensils.

Other:
New electric BBQ.
New 4 burner gas BBQ.

Heads/Showers:
3 x heads compartments with 3 electric heads 2020 and 2 showers.
Compartments refurbished 2023.

Heating & Ventilation:
RONA features Cruisair reverse cycle air-conditioning units forward and aft. The aft cabin unit is Climax and was replaced in 2019.

Entertainment:
CD/radio player.

Lighting:
Navigation lights.
Spreader lights on main and mizzen masts.

Description of layout from forwards:

Forward Cabins:
To port there is a double bunk berth and large amounts of stowage.
To starboard there is a double bunk berth and large amounts of stowage.

Fwd Heads:
2 x forward heads are located aft of forward cabins, 1 x to port and 1 x to starboard.
Both with electric W.Cs, porcelain hand basin and showers.
Port head – Removal of all plywood and replacement with varnished hardwood (2024).
Front starboard shower – Removal of all plywood. Walls and floors have been tiled with mosaic (2024).

Saloon:
Sofas to port and starboard parallel to hull.
Large fold out dining table.
2 x Pipecots, 1 above each sofa.

Galley:
Located to starboard aft of the Main Saloon.
Large and small stainless steel sinks.
Small sink with brass hand pump.

Aft Cabin with Ensuite:
Single berth to port and double berth to starboard.
Heads compartment with electric W.C.

Construction

RCD Status: Our understanding is that the yacht is exempt from the essential safety requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive as she was built and placed into use within the EU prior to 1998.

Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction:
RONA is a classic Stow and Sons cutter rigged ketch, originally built in 1895.
She has a centreline structure of English Oak, with grown English Oak frames set at 20'; centres and are 4 3/4'; deep and 8'; wide, and sawn English Oak
frames set at 13'; centres, 4'; by 4'; with some doubled at lower ends.
The floors are of forged iron 3 1/2'; width, 1 1/2'; depth tapering to 1/2'.
Beam shelves and springers are also of English Oak.
RONA features 2' teak hull planking, all of which was removed during her 1945/50 rebuild and refastened using bronze bumps. Her garboards are 2' sawn English Oak (new 1995), deck beams are English Oak (new 1985), deck planking is 1 7/8' teak (new 1985) and her decks were re-caulked in 2008.
Bulwark stanchions are English Oak, 3' sided sheathed above deck with 3/8' teak 1994/6.
Bulwark planking is 7/8' teak (new 1994/6).
All deck joinery is solid teak, gloss varnished all replaced 1995/97.
Her Doghouse was replaced in 1989.
IN the 1997 refit her underwater profile was copper sheathed to provide protection to the structure and has been maintained in sound condition.
Hull repaint 2018 and 2023.
Topsides repainted in Jotun primer with gloss coat in cream (2024).
Varnish work ongong.

Keel & Rudder:
Long full conventional keel with full length rudder all refurbished in the 1997 refit and copper sheathed.

Equipment

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Voltage Systems:
240v ring main.
RONA underwent a complete rewire of her electrical systems in her 1995/97 refit.

Battery Banks:
24v main engine start batteries (2 x 12v 105ah batteries).
24v domestic system (14 x 12v 105ah batteries).
12v 105ah gel battery for generator start.

Battery Chargers:
Victron 24v 80ah battery charger for domestic batteries.
Victron 24v 25ah battery charger for engine batteries.

Alternators:
Perkins 75amp engine alternator.
Additional 100amp engine alternator.

Generator:
Northern Lights 7.5Kva generator (1996/97).
Generator rebuild 2018.
The genset has 5,514 hours but owners are currently doing a major service and replacing the water pump and giving it a full overhaul.
Serviced every 3 months.

Shore Power:
Shore power 220v.

Other Electrical:
Victron 24/3000 Phoenix Inverter.

PLUMBING SYSTEMS

Fresh Water & Water Heating System:
Pressurised hot and cold water system.
Calorifier to deliver hot water with 220v immersion 2019.
Fresh water pumps replaced 2021.

Watermaker:
Produces 50 litres per hour.
New high pressure pump fitted 2021.

Bilge Pumps:
Forward and aft automatic bilge pumps.
Manual bilge pum.

Grey/Blackwater Holding Tanks:
Total greywater capacity of approx. 100 litres. 24v Seaflow macerator pump.
Total blackwater capacity of approx. 100 litres. 24v Seaflow macerator pump.

DECK EQUIPMENT

Anchoring & Mooring Equipment:
2 x (1 port, 1 starboard) Bronze Lewmar 3000 hydraulic vertical mounted capstans and warping drums.
2 x 80m approx. galvanized calibrated chain.
145lb CQR galvanized anchor (new 2023).
Fortress FX125 anchor.
Warps.
Fenders.

Covers, Canvas & Cushions:
Doyle sail covers for main, mizzen and staysail.
Covers for all deck equipment including winches, dorades, hatches etc.
Overall winter boat cover.
All covers replaced in Sunbrella (2017).
Large Sunbrella bimini which covers the deck. Fresh stitching May 2023.

Tender, Outboards & Toys:
1 x tender (new 2021).
1 x 10hp Apus outboard engine.
1 x Yamaha 25hp outboard.
Assortment of sea kayaks, snorkeling and fishing gear.

Navigation Equipment

At Chart Table:
B&G Hydra speed/depth/wind/nav.
B&G Hydra Pilot autopilot.
Raytheon R20XX radar.
Raytheon Raychart 610.
Icom SSB ic-M700UK.
1 x Icom handheld VHF.
Raymarine Ray 240 VHF.
Sea Map computer navigator - old computer.
Lowrance HDS5.
Furuno GPS/WASS Navigator.

At Helm Position:
Sestrel steering compass.
B&G speed.
B&G wind direction.
B&G magnified wind direction.
B&G wind speed.
B&G depth.
B&G compass (electric).
B&G rudder angle.
B&G Vulcan plotter 2017.
AIS 2017.
B&G Hydra Pilot autopilot.

Engine(s)

Engine & Gearboxes:
This Classic Stow and Sons Ketch is powered by a Perkins Sabre M130C 130hp diesel engine (1996/97).
The engine is fresh water cooled via an heat exchanger.
New engine hour metre replaced 2021.

Maintenance & Performance:
The engine has only had an engine hour meter since 2019 and has recorded 1,715 hours on it since then. There is a full time engineer on board so both are in good working order.
Engine serviced every 3 months.
Cruising speed – approx 5 knots @ 2200 rpm.
Fuel consumption at cruising speed – 15 litres per hour.

Propulsion & Steering:
3-blade, bronze propeller.
RONA is driven by a hydraulic drive routed aft to a Volvo hydraulic motor (1996/97) with an hydraulic oil cooler (1998), and a Timex high grade stainless steel shaft (1996/97) with three-brade bronze propeller (1998). Major overhaul 2017 with the hydraulic pump rebuilt 20.

Sails & Spars

Rig:
RONA is a classic Stow and Sons cutter rigged ketch.
Main mast by Harry Spencer (1992), repaired 2011 and 2013, repaired 2017, re-varnished 2024.
Main boom by Harry Spencer (1995/97), re-varnished 2024.
Mizzen mast by AG Blair (1995/97), repaired and re-varnished 2024.
Mizzen boom by AG Blair (1995/97), re-varnished 2024.
Sitka Spuce spars, gloss finished.
Staysail boom by AG Blair (1995/97), re-varnished 2024.
Stainless steel standing rigging replaced 1997.
Dyneema halyards, leathered eyes with Tylaska T20's.
Main mast runners with leather protectors.
Solid bronze masthead fittings (1995/97).
Stainless steel rigging pins and shroud plates by Formula spars.
Blocks custom made with bronze frames.
Lewmar titanium topping lift block.

Winches:
2 x Bronze Lewmar 44ST winches on boom port and starboard.
1 x Bronze Lewmar 30 winch on mast starboard.
1 x Arco-Hutton 52ST winch on mast port.
2 x Bronze Lewmar 66ST mounted forward of mizzen mast.
2 x Bronze Lewmar 46ST mounted next to mizzen mast.
The bronze winches were new in 1997.

Sails:
Doyle mainsail with 3 reefs, classic cream (1997).
Doyle mizzen with 2 reefs, classic cream (1997).
Doyle staysail with 1 reef, classic cream (1997).
Doyle yankee/flyer no.1, classic cream (1997).
Doyle yankee/flyer no.2, classic cream (1997).
Sanders Sails genoa, classic cream (1998).
Doyle mizzen staysail, white (1997).
Sanders Sails asymmetric spinnaker with sock, white (2007).
Doyle asymmetric spinnaker (2012).

Safety Equipment

Gas alarm.
Two Life rings.
MOB throwing line.
Three liferings two with drogues and lights attached.
Ocean danbuoy with light (2001)Two Life rings.
11 x Inflatable life jackets.
Multitude of spares and tools on board.
Manual and automatic fire extinguishers.

Location Map