GILLA was built in Bremen in 1950 at the Burmeister shipyards to a design by Henry Gruber, one of the most famous German designers of the 1930s and 1950s. The hull is in classic carvel planking with teak hull and mahogany topsides. The interior sleeps 5 + 2 crew.
With her first owner she made 4 Atlantic crossings and from the late 1970s to 2000 she is based in Newport Rhodes Island where she is purchased by the current owner who ships her to Italy. In 2003 she received a refit and partial restoration at Cantieri di Fano. Since then she has participated in many classic rallies, mostly in the Adriatic, showing qualities of an excellent upwind boat.
HISTORY
The Burmester shipyard together with Abeking & Rasmussen was the most important shipyard and yacht yard in Bremen, with two secondary yards during World War II at Swinemünde (Ostswine) for large-scale production of landing boats and small, streamlined warships disguised as fishing cutters (KFKs).
Gruber was a fine designer both in Germany and in the USA where he collaborated with Cox & Stevens and Starling Burgess. In this collaboration he participated in the design of the J-class Rainbow for Harold Vanderbilt that won the America's Cup in 1934 against Sir Thomas Sopwith's Endeavour.
In Germany many of his boats are very famous such as : the 12 M SI Aschanti III, Aschanti IV, Ostwind, Nordwind, famous for holding the record for the Fastnet race in real time since 1939 for 24 years.
Since her launch GILLA has crossed the Atlantic four times and participated twice successfully in the Antigua Classic Week. In the Mediterranean she participates in several AIVE rallies in the Adriatic, 10 entries in the Principality of Monaco Trophy in the Lagoon, Portopiccolo Rally, Monfalcone Hannibal, and several appearances in Trieste at the Barcolana Classic. Her current owner is not a fierce racer, but a lover of vintage boat rallies, and GILLA is noted for being an excellent upwind boat. In 2024, she participates in the Vele Storiche Viareggio and AIVE rallies season and, after sailing the Tyrrhenian Sea, she will be based again in Fano, in the Adriatic, starting in the fall.
CONSTRUCTION AND ACCOMODATION
Valuable classic planking construction with a teak hull and mahogany topsides still being varnished with a copal finish that shows the good condition of the planking.
The teak deck and deckhouse deck are still original, and because they fulfill the requirement of being sturdy and watertight, the owner decided to retain their originality, which in a vintage boat is a plus.
The Oregon Pine masts and booms are perfectly maintained.
INTERIOR
5 berths + 2
The forward cabin, which originated as a sail locker and crew quarters, has 2 bunks with large closets with hatches.
Midships master cabin with 2 separate berths and 4 lockers with hatches.
In saloon large opposing sofas with a spacious folding table with folding doors and 3 berths (above on port side is a berth and the 2 sofas become 2 berths).
Under the sofas are large storage compartments with separate hatches. Above the back of the right sofa (bunk) are 2 large closets with Vienna straw doors.
To the left of the access ladder, chart table with comfortable seating, electrical panel, navigation instruments. Along the right side is the bathroom with electric toilet and concealed sink/shower and, entering the saloon, a cockpit refrigerator and a large closet.
On the port side, functional galley with stainless steel top and sink and 2-burner electric stove operated by the generator. Above and below the cooktop are large lockers with separate doors.
STOWAGE ON DECK
3 large lockers, 1 in the stern and 2 in the cockpit.
EQUIPMENT
Daewo engine of 2008 50 HP turbocharged
Mase 3.5kw generator for charging batteries and running kitchen stove
Air conditioning and heating
Water tank 200 lt
Diesel tank 120 lt
Fresh water tank
3 bilge pumps at 3 levels, all automatic
Waterpressure system and automatic grey water discharge pump new
Boiler 45 Lt
Battery charger in excellent condition
3 batteries: engine, services and, separate, generator
Raymarine electronics, fixed and portable GPS, Vetus mechanical autopilot
VHF radio with fixed and portable equipment
SAILS
Mainsail with 2 reefs, mizzen, reefable jib and large genoa , gennaker with stocking; 5 other spare sails.
Lazy jacks on both mainsail and mizzen.
Rigging in good condition overhauled 2024, mainsail flying rigging just redone
All wooden blocks
In cockpit 2 Barient self tailing winches
Compass with binnacle
Summer and winter awnings
Wooden swim ladder and gangway.