EIGHT METER

Agate is an International Eight Metre built to Lloyds specification by Grenier le Marchand in le Havre in 1911 but in the UK since 1922.

Built for the Marquis de Cussy, who specified a boat to take heavy weather, she was designed by Gaston Grenier, who later designed the Olympic One Design for the 1924 Paris (Chariots of Fire) Olympics. She had a distinguished early racing career.

Honduras Mahogany planking on oak frames. Originally gaff rigged, she was altered to Bermudan rig in 1935, and converted for cruising in 1975. She has forepeak, forecabin, head, saloon, galley, two quarter berths, self-draining cockpit, and lazarette, so a maximum of six berths, but comfortably four.

Well maintained and with beautiful lines, her hull structure is possibly in the most original condition of any early First Rule Eight Metre still afloat, with all her original planking, nearly all her original frames, original mast (recently beautifully rebuilt), and original but shortened boom.

Mechanicals

Engine

Volvo 2001 9HP single cylinder engine, offset shaft with 3-blade propeller

Electricals

1 x Engine and 1x leisure batteries with 220A/h capacity,

Shore power,

Built-in intelligent battery charger and 1 KW inverter

Water System

Electric demand pumped fresh and salt water

Double sink with macerator pumped drain

Water heating via stove

Tankage

Fuel tank 40 litres = c. 60 hours motoring

Flexible water tank 150 litres

Mast Rigging and Sails

Mast and Spars

Original wooden mast (recently beautifully rebuilt), and original but shortened boom.

Standing Rigging replace 2012

Aluminum Spinnaker pole

Furling Genoa

Sails

3-reef main by Owen Sails in 2014

Furling foresail by Owen Sails in 2014

Spinnaker

Winches

2x Vintage single speed Genoa winches

2x Vintage single speed halyard winches one with wire drum.

Accommodation

She has forepeak, forecabin, head, saloon, galley, two quarter berths, self-draining cockpit, and lazarette, so a maximum of six berths, but comfortably four.

Wallas diesel hob – no gas on board

Waeco Coolfreeze CDF2 12v fridge/freezer

2 sinks

Marine Toilet

Diesel hot air

Woodwork is veneered Ply + Oak in Galley

Upholstery is Maroon Chenille

Inventory

Navigation

Vintage compass

Garmin 555 Colour plotter,

Swing bracket for a 10 inch tablet,

Tacktick T033 Wind speed and direction

NASA Depth sounder

Simrad TP22 Tiller Pilot

Standard Horizon GX-1700E VHF

McMurdo Fastfind 210 PLB

Mooring and Anchoring

Quick Antares 1000W Electric windlass with wireless remote

Knox super high holding power anchor, 100m chain,

Danforth kedge anchor

8 Fenders and 4 warps

General

Zodiac 4 Man inflatable dinghy.

Bison Electric outboard and Li-ion battery

Manual and electric bilge pumps with float switch

Seago 4 man life-raft (requires service),

Horn handheld

Horseshoe Life-ring,

Self inflating Danbuoy

2x Fire extinguishers,

Fire Blanket

Fire and CO detector

Radio CD player

1 Kw Invertor

Barometer

History

Owners Website ***

Previous names Nag, Sainte Anne II, Gemma

1911 built by A.Grenier le Marchand at le Havre, with yard number 759, sailmaker Mariole. Flush-decked gaff cutter with skylight and deep cockpit. Designed by Gaston Grenier, who later designed the Olympic One Design for the 1924 Paris Olympics (the Chariots of Fire’ Olympics)

Original name Nag, built for the Marquis de Cussy.

Received Lloyds rating certificate (7.997) at le Havre on 20-7-1911.

1914 name changed to Sainte Anne II, still owned by the Marquis de Cussy (probably when he retired a previous yacht owned by him also named “Sainte Anne”.)

1918 name changed to Gemma, owner V. Costantini, le Havre.

1922 owner B de Q Quincy, Fort Cottage, Aldeburgh.

1924 owners Exors of the late B. de Q. Quincy.

1925 owner Mrs G. F, Marshall, ‘Riverscourt’, Brundall, Norwich, kept at Aldeburgh. Sailmaker Sadler, 24, sail area 1109.

1933 owners Exors. of the late Mrs G. F, Marshall.

1934 owner J. T. E. Woolsey, 64a The Close, Norwich, kept at Lowestoft.

1935 altered from cutter (removed bowsprit and topsail, reduced boom by c. 2m.)

1945+ new cabin top, not current cabin.

1949 sailmaker Jeckells, 48.

1954 petrol motor, 1 cylinder, 4 BHP, Stuart Turner, 53, kept at Great Yarmouth.

1964 altered (1963) to Bermudian rig, then auxiliary yawl, official number 185687, sail maker Gowen 1963.

1967 owner Charles D. Pledger, Kedge Cottage, Heybridge Basin, Maldon, home port Weybridge Basin.

1971 owner Brian Wormald, Costaplente, Mill Lane, Acaster, Malbis, Yorks, home port Whitby.

1973 petrol motor 2 cylinder 12 BHP, R.C.A. Dolphine.

1975 owner Christopher P. Kitching, The Mill, Great Ayton, Middlesbrough, sail number 1890Y, home port Whitby. Converted for cruising with current deck, cabin and self-draining cockpit at Acaster Malbis boatyard near York.

1980 last Lloyds entry. Lloyds began charging for listing, so mainly active racers continued to register.

1985 new owner refurbished, kept initially on the Tees, eventually West Mersea.

1990 new owners ashore at West Mersea Marina being refurbished.

1991 River Roach, Pagelsham, Essex, Shuttleworth Moorings.

1993 Burnham on Crouch, Essex Marina.

1997 Burnham on Crouch, Burnham Yacht Harbour.

2003 Pin Mill, Ipswich, Suffolk, Pin Mill sailing club moorings.

1995 engine changed to Volvo 2001.

2010 current owner.

2011 moved to Ardrossan, Firth of Clyde.

2012 moved to RNCYC, Rhu, Firth of Clyde, new standing rigging.

2013 moved to Balvicar Bay, Seil, Oban.

2014 new Owen Sails, altered to furling foresail.

2015 name changed to Agate

Service History

Engine Self serviced annually

2021 Aligned prop shaft and replaced engine exhaust hose section.

2021 Replaced interior and exterior shaft logs

2019 Rebuilt original mast after glue failure.

Features

• Tender
• Furling genoa
• Shore power inlet
• Gps
• Refrigerator
• Marine head
• Electric bilge pump
• Inverter
• Radio
• Battened mainsail
• Plotter
• Spinnaker pole
• Mainsail cover
• Depthsounder
• Vhf
• Battery charger
• Cd player
• Autopilot
• Heating
• Manual bilge pump
• Wind speed and direction
• Compass
• Lazyjacks