Lucie B

Lucie B, a 32ft smack yacht was built by Butler & Co and launched in August 2005. She proved herself to be strong, comfortable and sea worthy on her first voyage to the Solent, where force 7 weather off Dover harbour and rough wind-against-tide conditions around North Foreland tested her on her return from the International Southampton Boat Show.

She is very enjoyable to sail, with her simple cutter rig, Wicker-Martin self-furling jib and foot well steering position. Below deck she cruises comfortably with four berths, accessible galley, workbench, ample storage space and a cosy Faversham wood burning stove. She is very light and airy with her skylight and fresh "beach-hut" greens and sandy colours - she has both hints of Sally B and Ziska but has her own particular feel and character, particularly different because of her 28hp Beta Marine engine!

The keel of Lucie B was laid on the 1st March 2005 and launched on 20th August of the same year. She was built in the traditional way of taking measurements from a half-model and then scaling up using battens and patterns to reproduce the finished boat in full size. She is framed in English Oak; her backbone, planking and deck are the South African hardwood Iroko, and she is fastened with bronze and copper. Lucie B has recently been bought by a syndicate of two proud new owners. They are looking for a third partner to enjoy the smack; she will be based in the mean time at Hollowshore, Faversham.