Buying a Zephyr
Buying
a Zephyr
There are aspects to buying a Zephyr that prospective class
participants need to know prior to purchase.
All Zephyrs require a Measurement Certificate before entering any national,
regional or club Zephyr event. Certificates are issued to the owner and expire
at point of sale, so new owners must apply for a replacement. Aspects of the
boat rendered non-compliant by previous rule changes will require rectification
prior to the replacement certificate being issued.
A spreadsheet for all boats on
the ZOA records can be viewed on: - https://www.zephyr.org.nz/files/Zephyr_Measurement_Status_28_Dec_2021.pdf
This list includes the last date of inspection, hull
weight, dispensation status and possible non-compliant areas of note. A
substantive rule change occurred in 2019, followed by a more comprehensive
measuring template in July 2020, so boats measured after the latter date are
more likely to have no outstanding areas of non-compliance.
The
ZOA strongly advises prospective purchasers with any doubts to contact any
class representative on this website prior buying. Most boats have a well-known
track record and advice from a regional representative or class measurer may
save future angst.
Zephyrs range in price from $500 to $25000 and as
expected, a variation this wide is due to condition, equipment and which
variant of hull construction. Below are approximate guidelines and
descriptions: -
$500-1500
A hull without decks, bulkheads and likely needing
replacement of centrecase, transom and some deck beams. No beach trailer
rigging or foils. Not for the feint hearted – only suitable for those with
advanced boatbuilding skills.
$1500 - $5000
Either a bare hull in very good condition, ready for
decking or a complete boat that’s overweight, able to be sailed but ripe for a
full deck-off rebuild. Often the spars and foils are poorer quality and may end
up being replaced during a full rebuild. Once again, prospective purchasers
will need elevated personal boatbuilding skills.
$5000 - $8000
Reasonable quality of boat close to minimum weight with
functional equipment, able to be raced with minimal immediate upgrading
required.
$8000- $15000
Down to weight hull restored to a high standard with either
Northern Rigging, NZ Rigging or Forged Fabrications spars, good foils,
relatively new sail and alloy beach trailer. At the upper end of this price
range, a skilled sailor could start winning races.
$15000 - $25000
Brand new Mackay GRP Zephyr. At the lower price end is a
new hull on beach trailer only. Purchaser would need to have spars, sail and
foils ready to install. The top end would be a sail-away boat.
Hull Types
1-233
Built by Des Townson between 1956 and 1964.
234 – 239 Built by
Ian Cook from 1980-81 under guidance from Des Townson.
251 – 260 Built
by Noel May and others. The only strip-planked cedar Zephyrs.
301 – 331 Built
in Christchurch by several different builders on a mould to dimensions reverse
engineered from several Townson built hulls.
501 – 529 Build
started by Robert Brooke under the Traditional Boatbuilding School umbrella,
based on the Townson plans.
601-609 Salthouse
Boatbuilders GRP hulls fitted with timber framing, plywood bulkheads and owner-fitted
decking. Hull mould made from a 500 series plug.
700- Mackay Boats full GRP hull and decking, using the same Salthouse built hull
mould as used on the 600 series hulls.