Fairey Huntress 23 - Zest with single Perkins T6.354 engine
LOA 23ft
Beam 8’ 3”
Draft: 2’ 10”
Hull & Deck: Hot Moulded & Marine Plywood
Model: Ray Hunt design Fairey 23ft ‘Huntress’
Builder: Fairey Marine, Hamble, Hants
Date: Mid 1960's
Construction
Fairey Marine hot moulded Agba laminated hull.
The unique system of laminating veneers 2.5mm thick in Kola Blanka (Agba) with some six forming the bottom and five on the top sides, but this could varied to make the shell (hull) stronger as occurred with the Naval Boats.
The completed shell was formed on a wood block mould, pushed into an autoclave (oven) with steam applied, the heat set off the glue, while pushing down the assembled veneers covered in a rubber bag. A finished hull resulted in less than one hour.
These hulls were incredibly strong for their weight and the process started in the aeroplane industry, perfect for the early days of lightweight powerboats.
Engines were very heavy, slow revving and agricultural in the 1950/60’s, so the speed of the Fairey range was something exotic at the time, with the advent of the then high speed commercial diesel engines.
'Zest' is hull no 40 and is very original for her age.
Machinery
Perkins T6.354 6 Cylinder Marine Diesel Engine with Borg Warner 72C gearbox. This engine was installed in 1997 and understood to be the later 145HP version.
This would have been a re-engine, as the early Huntress had the S6 Perkins before of 100HP and some the Dearbourne 240HP petrol engines from the states, such as that fitted to the white James Bond boat in the film, 'From Russia with Love'
Engine seacock & raw water filter.
Bronze equipoise three bladed propeller
Stainless steel Fairey Classic side scoops provide air to the engine bay
Single lever Morse throttle engine control
Wheel steering to the Fairey bronze rudder.
Fuel Tank & fuel system, with twin filters
Electrics
Twin 12V batteries giving 24volt electrics, laid to the dash panel.
Battery isolating switch
Electric bilge switches on dash with auxiliary lighting.
Cabin lighting and Navigation lights.
24V CAV alternator.
Trim tabs on transom
Navigation Equipment
Steering compass
VHF Icom, with aerial aft.
Anchor & line.
Navigation lights
Flag staff
Navman on dashboard
Raymarine echo sounder
Fire Extinguisher in engine bay & cabin
Electric bilge pumps.
Accommodation/ Cockpit
Two cabin berths are upholstered with storage underneath.
Side shelves in cabin
Sink
The cabin would convert to a double with an infill.
Baby blake Marine sea toilet
Aft bench seat with cushions Perfect for those picnic days afloat
Cockpit Toneau covers
The engine box is removal able for full engine access and doubles as a seat.
Helm & crew seats recently recovered.
Twin lockers aft cockpit for mooring lines & fenders
Deck Equipment
Usual complement of fenders, lines & warps, anchoring etc.
Hand rails on the cabin roof
Bow & Stern, spring cleats, Rope fairleads and bow anchor fitting- all classic Fairey.
Stainless steel bow push pit.
Fairey Bow badges
Flag
Cockpit drains
Possibly life jackets in cabin
Remarks/Trailer
'Zest' is a good example of the Classic Fairey Huntress, retains a lot of her original features. She has been re-engined, but the Perkins T6. was fitted to most of the Huntress Build programme.
She retains all those lovely classic chromed details that make the Huntress not only a collectors classic boat, but also a craft that can be used afloat for enjoyment or family fun
The video clip of her running (view at https://vimeo.com/296214602), shows her worth and a viewing is recommended to those serious about owing a Classic Fairey, with all the joys, fun & new friends associated with the world of 'old cars & boats'.
She comes with a road Trailer, which recently (March 2020) brought her down from the Scottish boarders to Norfolk.
Pedigree
Huntresses are an absolute cracker of a little seaworthy boat, the brain child of Ray Hunt the naval architect who must rank as having the largest number of craft afloat in both power & sail across the spectrum of yachting, his 'deep V' concept was a milestone in boating design.
The Hull form was licensed to Fairey by Ray Hunt in the 1950's, after Chichester-Smith & Currey observed whilst sailing 6 meters pre war in USA , ahead of their time wishing to build powerboats. The Huntress had a slow start owing to the total lack of suitable engines, petrol being the only option, but the Perkins T.6 was born and Sir Max Akin started the Cowes Torquay race 1961, to principally foster improved small powerboats, so a whole industry of Pilot, Navy and domestic craft resulted.
