Fairey Huntsman 31 'Double Century'

Electronics

Gps, Cockpit speakers, Log speedometer, Plotter, Compass, Depthsounder, Vhf

Electricity/ Motor Fairey Huntsman 31 'Double Century'

Shore power inlet

Deck equipment

Teak sidedecks, Teak cockpit, Cockpit cover

Comfort / Interior

Oven, Electric bilge pump, Manual bilge pump, Refrigerator, Marine head, Heating, Hot water, Battery charger

Details about the vessel's history

Fairey Huntsman 31 Double Century was manufactured by Fairey Marine in 1971 in order to enter the 1972 London to Monte-Carlo power-vessel race. Proven improvements were put into her build at the factory such as:
the addition of 2 laminates to the body making 9 in all
the installation of a 'ring beam' in the forward compartment to improve stiffness
bolting the longitudinals to improve stiffness.
Once manufactured, and before the race, there was extensive testing of the vessel and systems. Also, Double Century and the proprietor appeared in a film made about Fairey Marine (link available on request).
Later, in 1973, the vessel took part in some powervessel races in the Mediterranean.
The iconic picture of Double Century with its side exhaust, when in the hands of  a later proprietor, was taken in Poole Harbour when testing on the measured mile.
2. The Fairey Huntsman 31 is regarded as the vessel to have given that it was the personal brainchild of Alan V Burnard of Fairey Marine who wanted to improve on the sea-keeping qualities of the Huntsman 28 and Swordsman 33. He did that very successfully as all H31s are drier with a softer and more pleasant ride.
3. Few ex-race Huntsman 31s survive and even fewer have been extensively renovated from bare wood with fresh engines and gearboxes; propellors; extensive re-wiring and re-plumbing, etc.
4. The proprietor/vendor has many unique items from that race including the scrutineer's record; gasoline carnet; race instructions; courtesy pennants for the countries visited en-route; hand-held bearing compass; and propellors, all adding to the provenance.

Broker's Notes

I first saw H31 'Double Century' when coming to the end of an extensive renovation, in its purpose-made shelter on Hayling Island, for an article in the Fairey Owners Club magazine.
The pictures in this Listing are arranged in sequence:
 - exterior pictures after the recent valet at Southampton, after the engines were fully-serviced, and the decks cleaned and sealed
 - pictures taken in the shed at Southampton and interior vessel pictures
 - renovation pictures showing the: bare wooden body; body after epoxy application; fresh cockpit window frames; additional metal stiffening to reinforce the engine room structure; jig pre-owned to align the engine mounts
 - pictures that features some of the vessels's race-history.
The restorer won the Club's overall prize for renovation in 2017 and in 2018 the vessel won the Club prize for best engine installation.
On board Double Century I crewed for the restorer on the vessel's faultless passage from the Solent to Dartmouth and return.

Nicolle Associates deals the details of this boat in good faith but cannot assurance or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the quality of the boat.
A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This boat is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
This boat is VAT exempt due to age. As always photographs do not do justice so a viewing is highly recommended. This boat is afloat on Lake Windermere. © 2023 Nicolle Associates