McGruer 49 Ft Bermudan Ketch 1973/2020

BORDER LEGEND is a resurrected masterpiece from the sunset days of traditional yachtbuilding in Britain; when finely-built wooden yachts were still just about the norm, and their designers and builders could call on a century or more of handed down skills. BORDER LEGEND's design by George McGruer is a natural evolution from the renowned work of his father, James, and her build was by the last generations of a highly skilled workforce managed by the wider McGruer family from the 1890s into the early 2000s. Among the last wooden yachts designed and built there in the early 1970s were three wholesome, elegant and fast 49-55 ft ketches. While the ocean passagemaking exploits of CUILAUN and TALISKER MHOR (ex CERESIO) have become legendary, their smaller sister, BORDER LEGEND (launched as GLORY B IV for furniture manufacturer W.J. Barton of Cheshire, later Hampshire), remained under the radar: a bona fide family cruiser, latterly Solent-based. Circumstances saw her fall on hard times before recent rescue and a major refit under current, experienced ownership - so that one of the finest, last generation wooden yachts is now available for the pure enjoyment - and it can only be that - of her next owner.

On 4th November 2020, almost 14 months after we started, BORDER LEGEND slipped from her berth under her own power for the first time since 2011. I can’t say that I wasn’t a little nervous. But she slid down the river, gaining admiring glances, and then out into the Solent. There wasn’t a breath of wind to start with, but by lunchtime a sea breeze started to fill in, and soon we had 12 knots over the deck and BORDER LEGEND picked up her skirt and went sailing. Having first seen her in a mud berth, I’d no idea how she was going to handle, but she was as beautifully balanced and as sure footed as her lines suggest. After a picnic lunch and a glorious sail, we handed sails and headed back up the river to Bursledon. When we got back to our berth I had a smile on my face from ear to ear. Lockdown 2 started the very next day, but by then I didn’t really care: we’d got her out sailing again, despite the chaos of 2020. BORDER LEGEND was back from the brink.

REFIT UPDATE WINTER 2023-2024
- Engine full service (new heat exchanger, alternator rebuilt, new raw water pump)
- New stainless steel water jacket exhaust system
- Fuel tank cleaned
- Victron MPPT 100/30 solar charge regulator fitted
- together with cables for solar panels
- 2 x 120 kW fold up solar panels (to go on coachroof) added
- 2 x Mastervolt 270 Ah AGM batteries fitted
- New sprayhood by Saturn Sails
- New cockpit awning by Saturn Sails
- Engineering spares added: heat exchanger element; starter motor; full set of gearbox spares
- Running rigging: new genoa halyard; new mizzen halyard; new vang tackle
- Liferaft serviced
- New HRU
- Toerails and covering boards have 3 coats of Epifanes UV extra clear
- Additional antifouling coat of Jotun Megayacht Imperial

SUBSTANTIAL REFIT 2019 – 2020 AT THE ELEPHANT BOATYARD
After a long period of lay-up in the upper reaches of the Hamble River, Hampshire - under present, experienced ownership BORDER LEGEND has been resurrected during an intense period of refit at The Elephant Boatyard with much of the non-specialist work undertaken by the owner. The refit ethos was to keep the look and feel of Contemporary materials and equipment while employing the benefits of modern construction materials and systems:

- Localised topsides planking re-splining
- 500+ Bronze fastenings withdrawn, re-drilled, refastened & re-plugged
- Re-splining of double mahogany-skinned rudder
- Teak laid deck lifted at bow, stern, side deck and other areas
- Allowing replacement of sub-deck and deck beams as necessary
- Cockpit disassembled and rebuilt
- Re-caulking of entire deck
- Wheel steering system dismantled, serviced and re-assembled
- New stainless steel propeller shaft and coupling
- New 3-bladed bronze propeller
- All thru-hulls and associated fittings serviced
- Both manual sea toilets replaced
- Panels for deck access hatches replaced
- All hatches rebuilt with new Perspex and new seals
- Cockpit locker lids serviced
- Masts and booms cleaned and polished
- Engine zero-hours rebuild by Lancing Marine (2020)
- Engine mounts removed; shot-blasted; powder coated
- New stainless steel engine bearers
- New fire-retardant cooling water hoses
- New “Quietlife” 5kg/m2 polymeric barrier insulation
- Exhaust system dismantled, serviced and re-fitted
- New plastic fuel tank
- New cooker (hob; grill; oven), gas installation and alarm
- Complete rewiring; associated new AC and DC electrical equipment listed below
- 84 x Items of deck gear re-chromed
- Total exterior wooding, re-varnishing; repainting

BORDER LEGEND was launched as GLORY B IV for Cheshire furniture manufacturer W.J. Barton who soon moved to the south of England with a long term berth at Gosport, Hampshire. In 1980 ownership transferred to London stockbroker Trevor Lawson and Derek W. Crane, and she remained based at Gosport. It was her third owner, Colin Harris, who brought her to the Hamble and a berth at Mercury Marina in 1986 after a comprehensive refit at Coombes Boatyard, Bosham. Due to a change in family circumstances, BORDER LEGEND was laid up at The Elephant Boatyard until transfer to present ownership in 2019.

- Double planked carvel mahogany planking
- Bright finished with gilded cove line
- Bronze fastened to laminated mahogany frames
- Laminated mahogany knees and lodging knees
- Mahogany beam shelves and bilge stringers
- Lead keel
- 10 x Bronze keelbolts
- Galvanised plate floors in way of mast
- Non-structural plywood bulkheads
- Teak decks (recaulked 2020) over plywood
- Teak superstructure
- Teak cockpit with high coamings

GENERAL
- Raw teak laid deck on ply substrate
- Varnished teak covering boards
- Varnished teak uncapped toerail
- Stainless steel pulpit and pushpit
- Stanchions and double guard rails port and starboard
- Boarding gates port and starboard
- Deck shower (2021)

FROM AFT

AFT DECK
- 2 x Chromed mooring fairleads and chafe strips at taffrail
- 2 x Teak and chromed mooring cleats
- Chromed ensign staff socket
- Chromed mizzen backstay chainplate
- Gas bottle stowage
- Chromed mushroom vent
- Chromed mizzen sheet padeye
- Tufnol blocks
- Lewmar mizzen sheet/ warping winch
- Chromed mooring fairleads and chafe strips at port and starboard quarters

COCKPIT
- After part is continuation of aft deck
- Fwd to deep and well protected self-draining cockpit
- Raised teak uncapped coamings
- Lazarette access aft
- Raw laid teak sole
- Chromed emergency steering manhole
- Raw teak seats port and starboard; large lockers under
- Leading edges of seats are helm seats
- Additional raw teak-lidded athwartships seat/ locker port fwd
- Destroyer type helm wheel (re-leathered 2020)
- Whitlock wheel pedestal (shot-blasted; rebuilt; re-coated 2020)
- Drives via gearbox and lever arm to rudder stock
- Fitted for chain drive autopilot
- Engine controls to port
- Steering compass binnacle
Sheet winches on teak plinths
- Barlow 32 self-tailing port and starboard
- 2 x non self-tailing on stainless steel plinths
- Coaming-side cleats fore and aft, port and starboard
- 2 x Lewmar stainless steel spinnaker sheet sheaves outboard
- 4 x Courtesy lights

TEAK TRUNK CABIN
- Varnished teak uprights
- Stainless steel mizzen chainplates at sides
- Raw Laid teak roof; varnished teak margin boards
- Roof step socket for ‘deck-stepped’ mizzen mast
- Varnished teak grabrails port and starboard
- Engine panel and B&G plotter at port aft bulkhead
- Engine space louvre
- Double door companionway offset to starboard
- Varnished teak sliding companionway hatch
- Mainsheet padeyes; Tufnol blocks
- Lewmar ST30 2-speed self-tailing mainsheet winch to port
- Small aluminium and smoked Perspex hatch over galley
- Large aluminium and smoked Perspex hatch over saloon

SIDE DECKS
- Wide side decks
- Lewmar headsail tracks and cars at toerail port and starboard
- Chromed mooring fairleads and chafe strips port and starboard
- Associated teak and chromed mooring cleats

MID DECK
- Aluminium and smoked Perspex hatches port and starboard over guest cabins
- 4 x Raw teak Dorade boxes; 5 x chromed cowl vents
- 4 x Vetus type ventilators
- Keel-stepped main mast position

FORWARD DECK
- Large aluminium and smoked Perspex hatch on varnished teak plinth
- Chromed Panama fairleads port and starboard in toerail fwd
- Associated teak and chromed mooring cleats
- Chromed mooring fairleads and chafe strips port and starboard
- Francis 800 electric anchor windlass with remote control (rebuilt 2020)
- Warping drum and chain gipsy
- Manual overide
- Substantial, chromed stemhead fitting
- Bow rollers/ anchor launchers port and starboard
- 35 kg Sarca Excel bower anchor with chain (2022)
- 45kg CQR kedge anchor
- Kedge cable: 10 m, 12 mm chain; 100 m 18 mm octoplait (2022)
- 25kg Danforth anchor
- Deck wash

From the cockpit a sliding hatch, doorway and companionway steps lead down to the accommodation below. This is very well laid out with substantial galley to port, chart table to stbd and half bulkheads revealing the saloon and further accommodation forward; all resplendent in varnished mahogany with teak cabin sole, white deck head; very well lit with 11 windows in raised deckhouse and overhead lights. With accommodation for up to 7 in 4 cabins the layout and equipment from aft is arranged:

GALLEY TO PORT
- Opening port in deckhead for good ventilation
- Single bowl stainless steel sink with mixer H&C tap
- Force 10 Marine gas 4 x burner hob and oven (new in 2020)
- Top loading fridge freezer (with air cooled compressor)
- Top loading stowage lockers
- Generous stowage cupboards
- Drawers and racks outboard for crockery, provisions etc
- 5 x LED recessed lights

WET LOCKER AND NAVIGATION AREA TO STARBOARD
- Chart table with large chart stowage, drawers and cupboards
- Bookshelves outboard
- Seating

SALOON
- Settee berth to port; cushioned backs aft to side and fwd
- Convertible to double berth by lowering the table
- Generous saloon table set to port with U-shaped seating
- Settee berth to starboard with stowage under
- Drinks and glass cabinet
- 3 x Reading lights
- 4 x Overhead lights
- Cambridge Audio sound system

DOORWAY AND CORRIDOR FWD AMIDSHIPS

WC COMPARTMENT TO PORT
- Jabsco manual WC, shower and stainless steel basin

GUEST CABIN TO STARBOARD
- Hatch access
- Single berth; stowage under; hanging locker
- Reading lights
- Stowage for cockpit table

GUEST CABIN TO PORT
- Hatch access
- 2 x Single berths; stowage under; hanging locker
- Reading lights

FORWARD CABIN
- Head with Jabsco manual WC, shower and stainless steel basin to port
- Single berths to port and stbd
- Drawers under
- Reading lights

FO'C'SLE
- Stowage for sheets, warps, sails, etc
- Chain bin

RIG/ SPARS
Spars
- Kemp aluminium main and mizzen masts and booms
- B&G Halo radar at mizzen
- Discrete but powerfu LED spreader lights (2022)
- 2 x Lewmar 30 ST halyard winches on main mast
- 2 x Kemp Spars aluminium spinnaker poles
- Spreader and deck lights
10 mm Standing rigging (2022)
- 1 x 19 Stainless steel
- Swaged ends; Norseman rigging screws
- Insulated backstays
Running Rigging
- Full set of running rigging and sheets
- Partly renewed (2022)


SAILS
By Sanders Sails (2021)
- Mainsail
- 130% Genoa (Harken furler 2022)
- Storm jib
By North
- Slab reefing Mainsail and Mizzen
- Genoa
- 80% No. 2 jib
- Spinnaker
- Mizzen staysail

CANVASWORK
- Boom covers for main and mizzen sails
- Tent style full cockpit cover (remade 2020)
- Tailored trunk cabin cover
- Wheel cover

MECHANICAL
- Mermaid Melody 4 Cylinder 90hp Diesel
- Zero hours rebuild by Lancing Marine (2020)
- Sump tray
- Borg Warner Velvet Drive gearbox
- Zero hours rebuild by Lancing Marine (2020)
- Flexible coupling (2020)
- Bronze water lubricated stern gland rebuilt by Lancing Marine (2020)
- 3-Bladed 17 in bronze propeller in aperture (2020)
- 1.5 in Diameter propeller shaft (2020)
- Wheel steering system with rod linkages
- Conventional bronze packing gland at rudder stock

ELECTRICAL
- 240c AV 32A shore power inlet (2020)
- Axon Control 240 V RCD and switchboard with voltmeter (2020)
- Index Marine 32 A galvanic isolator (2020)
- 24 V DC and 12 V DC Switch panel
- Victron MultiPlus 24/1200 inverter charger (2021)
- Victron 24/12 V DC converter to supply 12 V panel (2020)
- Victron Phoenix 24/25 A battery charger (2020)
- Victron Cyrix battery combiner/ smart regulator (2020)
- Victron battery balancer (2020)
- Victron BMV 700 battery monitor (2020)
- 2 x Varta LFD 230 service batteries (2020)
- 2 x Optima blue 110 Ah engine start batteries (2020)
- DC supply cables and AC cables renewed 2020
- 2 x 240 V AC outlets in galley
- USB charger outlet at chart table
- USB charger outlet in cockpit
- Deck wash pump (2021)

TANKAGE
- 2 x 230 L stainless steel freshwater tanks
- 1 x 300 L Centreline Tektanks diesel tank (2020)
- Tank level gauges for fuel and water tanks
- 45 L Waste holding tank at fwd wc
- Deck pump out
- Audible alarm

HEATING
- Eberspacher Airtronic D4 air heater (2021)

NAVIGATION
- Steering compass on wheel pedestal
- Brookes & Gatehouse wind speed and depth (2020)
- Brookes & Gatehouse Vulcan 9” charter plotter (2020)
- B&G Halo radar (2121)
- Digital Yacht AIT2000 Class B AIS Transponder (2020)
- Digital Yacht SPL2000 VHF aerial splitter (2020)
- Digital Yacht NavLink2 NMEA2000 to wifi converter (2020)
- Ship’s clock and barometer

AUTOPILOT (2021)
- Brookes & Gatehouse Triton 2
- Raymarine rotary drive unit with drive chain connection wheel
- Rudder feedback unit
- B&G WR10 wireless remote
- Precision 9 electronic compass

COMMUNICATIONS
- Sailor RT144 VHF radio
- Icom DCS VHF M400BB radio (2020)

WIFI
- Teltonika RUT950 WiFi 4 4G LTE CAT4 Router
- 2 x Embedded SIM Slots & 4 x Antennas
- Fusion BB100 marine stereo with remote and Bluetooth connection (2020)

- Ocean Safety 4-Person Ocean liferaft with Hamar hydrostatic release unit
- GMC Accusat EPIRB
- Rule 250 L per minute automatic electric bilge pump
- 2nd Automatic electric bilge pump (2021)
- Johnson high level bilge alarm
- Whale 800 L per hour electric bilge pump with float switch (2021)
- Whale Gusher manual bilge pump
- Emergency tiller
- 1 x Yellow horseshoe lifebuoy with light
- Transom-mounted MOB recovery module
- 3 x dry powder fire extinguishers
- Flares, torches, horn etc
- Pilot LPG gas alarm
- Deck level navigation lights
- LED masthead sailing and anchor light
- LED deck and steaming light


2nd electric automatic bilge pump fitted

- Zodiac aluminium floor 3.1m rollaway RIB
- Suzuki 6 hp outboard motor
- Mariner 2.5 hp 2-stroke outboard
- Varnished outboard bracket
- Mahogany swim ladder
- Fenders
- Warps