Extra Large Model Dockyard Pond Yacht

An absolutely wonderful straight line cutter pond yacht from around 1900 and quite a whopper too.

The yacht was found in original condition as you can see but without mast and rigging, we have replaced the mast with one from the same timeline, added new sails (made to the original patterns from the Model Dockyard Handy book) and rigging.

The stand is specially made from steel and is quite a momentous piece in itself.

We cannot confidently say the manufacturer but have been told it is possibly a Steven’s Model Dockyard but there is some controversy as to who made what and where as there were 3 major "Dockyard manufacturers, it is however a significant and beautifully made yacht.

The original Model Dockyard was considered a high class model maker who made working models for the likes of the Admiralty and private clients, as well as selling models for play, and was founded in Fleet Street, London in 1774.

Stevens Model Dockyard made toys, models and parts and was established 1843 in Aldgate, London, they were a retailer of other manufacturers as well as their own make, and also sold to the Admiralty.

Then there was Clyde Model Dockyard, the company was a toy and model shop in Glasgow, established in 1789 manufacturing boats, sailing yachts then later steamboats and locomotives, they also made and retailed, and sold to the Admiralty.

A lot of these yachts, particularly of this size, were often never used but because this beauty has had it’s keel drilled, probably later by it's owner, and lead added for ballast, we can make the supposition that this one may have been sailed around the Serpentine (or some other great pond) by a “Gentlemen sailor” as they were nicknamed, although he wouldn’t do it himself, they employed “Skippers” to wade into the pond for them and “lads” to carry the boat home.

Dress codes and gentlemanly conduct were stressed.

In 1851 the racing yacht America came to the UK and yachting fever took over from then for both children and adults, by the late 1800’s it was a passion for those who could afford it and clubs were in abundance across the UK.

Dimensions:
Boat length: 107cm
Boat length tip of Boom-tip to tip of Bowsprit: 162cm
Deck width in centre of boat: 19cm
Boat height: 30cm
Boat height from bottom to tip of mast: 171cm
Boat height from steel stand to tip of mast: 177cm
A heavy imposing piece the boat weighs in at around: 15kg
The Steel Stand around: 20kg
So in all around: 35kg

A really splendid example for any collector or simply anyone who wants a beautiful statement piece for their home.