Priced to Sell
Iona Bess is a late model Oyster 45, number 25 launched in 2001 of an eight year production run from 1996 to 2004.
She was the last Oyster designed by Holman and Pye, to replace their legendary 435 with greatly enhanced interior volume, making her far more spacious whilst retaining the bullet proof build quality on which Oyster built their reputation, with hand-laid single skin hull construction, a lead fin keel massively bolted to a deep keel stub and a keel stepped mast.
Featuring the legendary Oyster deck saloon with eyebrow styling, the now classic three cabin layout with the beautiful teak interior and a secure centre cockpit, the 45 is a sleek and comfortable world cruising yacht, which can be easily handled by a couple.
With electric in-mast furling and electric headsail furling, electric primary winches and an electric coachroof winch, sail handling is mostly push-button.
The standing and running rigging was all replaced in 2019 and optimized for bluewater sailing. A removable inner forestay allows a storm jib to be flown and the twin poles on the mast allow for twistle twin poled-out furling genoa downwind headsails. There is also a retractable bowsprit for the cruising chute.
With only three owners this boat has been cherished from new and has been maintained in remarkable condition. She mostly cruised the English Channel until she was entered in the 2019 ARC Portugal rally and then professionally delivered to Antigua since when the present owner has cruised the neighbouring islands.
The Volvo diesel engine has only done 2,200 hours, there is a new saildrive and Brunton autoprop and a bowthruster for ease of boat handling.
The batteries and most of the electronics were replaced following an extended covid-layup. She was launched in 2022 and has been lightly cruised around the islands for the last three winter seasons.
Lying in Antigua.