The Finesse Class which my Whimbrel belongs has enjoyed fifty odd years of sailing. My book, The Jottings of a Thames Estuary Ditch-crawler tells the tale of Finesse Yachts and builder Alan Platt, in chapter 2.

I’ve enjoyed my little sloop for 31 years now and aim to continue along that path for many more yet, God willing and I look after myself! Sadly some of the class have not always enjoyed a continued good life and I have two local to my own home area that need new owners. Another, in better condition, sits awaiting a keen couple with the desire to bring a boat back up to scratch. They are all do-able…

Meet Gladys, she is a cutter rigged Finesse 28. She needs you…

She is for sale and is berthed at Melton Boat Yard. The broker is Howard Ford Marine Sales. Telephone: 01394 385577.

She has a few deck problems, due to sanding away the glass fibre sheathing along the deck edge … overzealous sanding of rubbing strake. If damaged it must be sealed… The varnish on the cabin sides is ‘going’ due to a lack of coat after a strip back – common fault … get plenty back on after doing all that work, please!

The cockpit has suffered too: the cover has long been ripped apart by wind. What she is like inside, I do not know. But it is likely that all will be well. This will be iroko planked.

Now let us meet Selena. She’s a Finesse 24 looking a bit sorry for herself. No bother, you can do it and she’ll give you a superb return for your efforts in estuary sailing.

She sits alongside the bridge approach road on Canvey Island at Benfleet Bridge. Details from the Bridge Boat Yard. She was for sale for around £4500 – I told the proprietor that it was very unlikely to be sold at that price. She needs a new engine. Again she was refurbished some years back and not enough varnish was applied … sadly she hasn’t been covered either, particularly the cockpit. She appears to be a relatively early example and probably dates to around c1975. I couldn’t find a number where mine has been carved…

Her hull is probably iroko planked. She is a worthwhile project for a couple who would like a well built wooden craft. Spars are aboard. What the inside is like I can’t say. Work is likely… Give the yard a call or pop down to Benfleet and take a look.

Ah, let us not forget the little one now…

Here is a Finesse 21 in need of much love and attention. She sits in the yard of the Leigh Motor Boat Club and has sat here for a number of years. She is likely to be a boat from the mid late 1960s. Her hull will be mahogany. Decks need drastic attention. There appears to be quite a lot of work needed, however, these little 21s are a delight and you will be well rewarded…

There must be someone out there that would relish a challenge… Go for it. I love mine and you’ll love yours too, when the work is done.