In his almost-under-the-radar way of working, Andrew Wolstenholme is one of the most versatile boat designers practising the art of putting interesting craft afloat. All he seems to ask of clients is that they don’t request a run-of-the-mill vessel of orthodox invisibility. Thus there’s certainly no way that the gaff-cutter-rigged Norfolk Smuggler - which he designed for select Norfolk-based series-builder Neil Thompson - will not stand out in an unusual and attractive way in any anchorage or marina, even when there are other boats of the same general “modern-take-on-traditional-concept” to be seen nearby.
Although her classic straight-stem hull is only 25ft long when that splendid no-nonsense bowsprit is retracted, Wolstenholme has packed a remarkable amount of very useable 4/5 berth accommodation into an area where the key sections are blessed with 5ft 10ins headroom. The spaciousness is emphasised by the fact that the centreboard - which is central to the concept of flexibility of use - is almost entirely housed within the ballast keel, thereby leaving clear floor space in the welcoming saloon.
The Smuggler is aptly named, as she is capable of serious sea voyaging and handy coastal cruising, yet with centre-plate raised she draws only 2ft 9ins (0.85m). This offers endless possibilities for exploring hidden creeks, as with a boat like this, it’s the character of the places you visit which is every bit as important as the sea miles logged, and the idea of conveniently taking part in The Gathering at Ballydehob immediately springs to mind. But equally a night of perfect isolation in a snug but shoal anchorage that you can temporarily call your own is every bit as appealing.
Ballydehob is certainly well within sailing reach, as this particular Smuggler - family-owned for twenty years - is Crosshaven-based. In fact, even if you were ultimately planning to move her to a home base which is at some distance from the sailing paradise of the southwest, the opportunity of a West Cork creek-crawling cruise is surely too good to miss before bringing her home.
This well-maintained boat is attractively priced at €55,000, and with our sailing horizons now starting to rise on an almost daily basis, she looks and is a very appealing proposition.
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