|
The Z4 was designed by Dr. Thomas
Harrison Butler, MA, DM(Oxon), FRCS (Eng-Honorary), AINA (Honorary),
who was born on March 19th 1871. Whilst his profession was an ophthalmologist,
he was also an amateur yachtsman and self-taught yacht designer,
and a strong believer in the use of the "metacentric shelf
formula" to achieve good balance and handling under sail. This
theory, the "metacentric shelf" theory, is now regarded
as irrelevant, but when applied by Dr. Harrison Butler did produce
famously sweet-handling yachts, in an age when the norm was to have
heavy weather helm when reaching and heeled. Harrison
Butler died in 1945.
|
|
The 'Z' four-tonner was one of his best-known
designs, this being a production version of his 'Zyklon' design,
of which several examples were built The 'Zyklons' are almost identical
to the 'Z' 4-tonners, of which at least 52 were built. The "four
ton" description being Thames Tonnage, a measure of a ships
size calculated by measurements, derived originally from estimating
the number of 'tun' barrels of wine a ship could carry. She actually
displaces 3.3 tons. The hull lines are similar to those of a Falmouth
Quay Punt, although the original Falmouth Quay Punts were bigger,
and would be gaff-rigged yawls
|
|
 |
The yachts were sold in three versions, an open half-decker,
this "standard" version, with conventional coachroof,
and a version with the coachroof extended to the hull sides, to
give extra space below. Construction is of pitch-pine planking on
oak and elm frames and keelson, with steel reinforcing ring frames
and knees. Above the waterline the carvel planking seams are splined
and glued, and conventionally caulked below the waterline. The original
deck planking has been retained, but where originally it would have
been (supposedly) leak-proofed with canvas and paint covering, it
has on this yacht now been rebuilt with epoxy-glass sheathing over
plywood. |
Yachts seen here are no longer for sale - the data is online as a free information service for buyers researching boat types. THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD.
Go to our brokerage
section for boats currently for sale |
|
|
The pictures here are of an exceptionally well
kept example, with a very original layout, except for having had
a small modern diesel installed |
|
