Alan Payne

SWAN MARINE is very excited to bring to the market this once-in-a-lifetime vessel.

Who says you can't buy friendship? The most beautiful small vessel designed by renowned naval architect, Alan Payne (of Gretel fame) and built by Clive Morrow of Newcastle in 1952, has been owned by the same family for much of its life. Originally named friendship, she was bought by Peter Maine in 1961, renamed Carol Anne after two of his daughters and was his flagship as Commodore of Sydney's Royal Motor Yacht Club in 1964. Having completed several adventurous voyages from Sydney, including a Bass Strait crossing and trips up the east coast, Peter relocated his family to Perth in 1965 and Carol Anne made the trip west as deck cargo on a freighter. Penned for 10 years at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, she spent most weekends and holidays at Rottnest Island. Sold and renamed Stornoway in 1975, she went to East Fremantle Yacht Club and later to Royal Perth yacht club. In 1992, she was brought back by Maine family connections, came home to Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and renamed friendship.

Constructed of New Zealand Kauri, silky Oak, and Queensland Maple friendship has solid teak decks and cockpit, ample room for a couple on extended stays or a crowd on day trips and boasts numerous practical features. Large drop-down tram windows make for unobscured views and great ventilation when it's hot, modern amenities, including three-way fridge freezer, SatNav VHF and stereo LED lights, including NAV lights. Annual maintenance has been clearly minimised by a poxy glassing and forward cabin and main cabin top. Many believe the hull has been glassed, but it is in brilliant original condition with a standard paint finish. The fold down dining table can seat six with another two on chairs at the end and it is easily stowed away to create a large space in the main saloon. Direct steering, and a full keel make this vessel a dream to manage single-handed. On a mooring she is stable and dead quiet with a self training cockpit and auto bilge pump. You can be confident in the roughest conditions, the strong, reliable, four-cylinder Perkins, diesel with 125 L fuel capacity enables cruising at 7 kn for 20 hours.

Although friendship has proven sea keeping ability, having crossed bass straight to Hobart made several trips north of Sydney up the east coast and countless crossings to Rottnest island in all conditions it is as a day cruiser on rivers and esturine systems that she comes into her own. Capable of passing beneath most traffic and footbridges (just drop the outriggers and aerial) she will cruise to the upper reaches of the Swan River for lunch at Caversham house or Hortons Winery, and you can also get to within 100 m of the Ravenswood Hotel on the Murray River (take a Dingey for the last bit). Other favourite destinations are Elizabeth Quay, Claisebrook Inlet in East Perth and the Mandurah waterways of the peel inlet. If you plan to stay awhile the large copper water tanks will keep you in freshwater for more than a week and a 9 kg gas supply will run the fridge and cooking without a worry friendship is a real Headturner and conversation starter you'll get used to that she is comfortable practical and beautiful.

A truely beautiful boat.

For a viewing or more inforamtion please call TIM SWAN on Call Seller