Whisstock Selestra 48Ref. VP261

The shipyard that Claude Whisstock founded in 1926 on the banks of the Deben River in the town of Woodbridge soon became famous for the quality of its boats and remained in business until the early 1990s. Whisstock built numerous cruising boats. Famous series such as the Deben 4 tonner or unique specimens such as Francis Chichester's Gypsy Moth I came out of Claude and his son George's shipyard. By the end of the 1970s, wooden construction, even epoxy-molded, was languishing and Whisstock began to build aluminium boats, with a technique and precision that would soon bring them international success. The Selestra series, based on models of different lengths, was mainly dedicated to cruisers between 38 and 72 feet. Only three examples of the Selestra 48 were built, and this is a pity, because it is a very robust, elegant and well-performing cruiser. Designed by Stephen Dalzell, then a young designer, now specialized in mega yachts, the Selestra 48 has slender and asymmetrical lines, with a rather rounded side profile and reduced draft. A small retractable keel improves the upwind performance, also favoured by the shape of the hull. Originally designed as a cutter, the Selestra 48 was rigged as a ketch, more suited to the globetrotting program proposed by the shipyard. Mainsail and mizzen have a notable high aspect ratio to give agility and dynamism in all conditions and the owner of the Hio, as the model on offer is called, confirms this with the little use of the engine since it was fitted new. Its water and diesel capacities, the presence of a robust and reliable diesel generator, a wind generator, a reliable water-maker and two sided solar panels are a pledge of great autonomy. The Hio was subjected by its current owner, a shipwright by profession, to a thorough overhaul, from heel to keel, changing what was unusable, revising what could be used and cleaning up any imperfections. The result is evident and also confirms the care with which the boat has been treated from the first moment. The uncluttered deck, with a high quality deck handling hard-ware, has a very safe cockpit that allows convivial meetings protected by a sun-awning. The interior, with a high level of finishing, offers a pleasant succession of bright and dark between the different essences that have been used for the bulkheads and mouldings. The excellent galley allows to work with any heel, the saloon is well delimited and all over the boat there are handles and props to walk in all conditions. The recent engine with few hours of use, the modern and functional equipment and a panoply of spare parts and tools make the Hio a highly recommended boat for long stays on board and for any sailing program that the next owner would start.