Spencer 42 Inspired by J. Spencer
For Sale: 42' Timber Yacht "Dahlia" - Restoration Project - Must Sell
Meet Dahlia, a 42'6" (12.95m) hard-chined timber sloop built in 1979 and inspired by John Spencer's designs. She's full of character, and she currently sits on a swing mooring in Rose Bay. We've had six years of beautiful summer sails on Sydney Harbour with her, but several of us have now left Sydney and she needs new owners who'll enjoy her. We're after a quick sale and she's priced to match.
She's a genuine restoration project. The May 2026 survey describes her as professionally built and sturdily constructed, with a structurally sound hull. Restoration is well underway from the stern forward, and there's still work to finish.
Key features
- Hull: glass-sheathed marine plywood, hard-chined. Tap-tested sound below the waterline with no rot or delamination, and framing and bulkheads are intact.
- Engine: Yanmar 1GMC 6.5HP diesel (1990), recently overhauled with new mounts, lift pump, fuel lines, filter and exhaust elbow. Regularly serviced, with paperwork available; the latest service was March 2026.
- Rig: keel-stepped aluminium masthead sloop with wire standing rigging, slab-reefing main and a No. 1 genoa.
- Cockpit deck and subframes rebuilt, Edson wheel steering, new 25L diesel tank, solar charging.
- Keel ballast support bracket and exhaust section have been redone.
- New anchor chain
- 12kg plough anchor and electric bilge pump.
- NSW registration valid to Feb 2027. Insurance valid to Nov 2027.
- Antifoul done on 26th May 2026
- Beam 2.25m | Draft 1.63m
Still to do (full list in survey)
- Some soft ply on the coachroof, cockpit step and transom corner.
- Seacocks, manual bilge pump, nav lights, hatches and sail cover.
- Basic interior: two berths, no galley, heads or water system.
Ideal for a restoration enthusiast who wants a characterful harbour daysailer. The full survey and valuation report (May 2026) is available to serious buyers.
$8,000 ONO. DM or call to arrange a viewing.
Meet Dahlia, a 42'6" (12.95m) hard-chined timber sloop built in 1979 and inspired by John Spencer's designs. She's full of character, and she currently sits on a swing mooring in Rose Bay. We've had six years of beautiful summer sails on Sydney Harbour with her, but several of us have now left Sydney and she needs new owners who'll enjoy her. We're after a quick sale and she's priced to match.
She's a genuine restoration project. The May 2026 survey describes her as professionally built and sturdily constructed, with a structurally sound hull. Restoration is well underway from the stern forward, and there's still work to finish.
Key features
- Hull: glass-sheathed marine plywood, hard-chined. Tap-tested sound below the waterline with no rot or delamination, and framing and bulkheads are intact.
- Engine: Yanmar 1GMC 6.5HP diesel (1990), recently overhauled with new mounts, lift pump, fuel lines, filter and exhaust elbow. Regularly serviced, with paperwork available; the latest service was March 2026.
- Rig: keel-stepped aluminium masthead sloop with wire standing rigging, slab-reefing main and a No. 1 genoa.
- Cockpit deck and subframes rebuilt, Edson wheel steering, new 25L diesel tank, solar charging.
- Keel ballast support bracket and exhaust section have been redone.
- New anchor chain
- 12kg plough anchor and electric bilge pump.
- NSW registration valid to Feb 2027. Insurance valid to Nov 2027.
- Antifoul done on 26th May 2026
- Beam 2.25m | Draft 1.63m
Still to do (full list in survey)
- Some soft ply on the coachroof, cockpit step and transom corner.
- Seacocks, manual bilge pump, nav lights, hatches and sail cover.
- Basic interior: two berths, no galley, heads or water system.
Ideal for a restoration enthusiast who wants a characterful harbour daysailer. The full survey and valuation report (May 2026) is available to serious buyers.
$8,000 ONO. DM or call to arrange a viewing.
Region
New South Wales
Location
Sydney Area Rose Bay NSW
Usage
Leisure, Cruising, Racing
Launch Year
1979 approximate
Hull
Timber
HIN
AUWWA066561AB9
Rego
VFI146N
Rego Expiry
06/02/2027
Designer
Inspired by John Spencer - Scimitar Sailboat
Builder
Unknown
Length
42' 6" - 12.95m
Beam
2.25m
Draft
1.63m
Displacement
N/A
Keel / Ballast
¼ length fibre glass mat sheathed marine plywood fin keel with chain supported ballast and a skeg hung timber rudder.
Deck Material
Plywood (epoxy sheathed)
Engine Make
Yanmar
Engine
Yanmar 1GMC 6.5 hp at 3400
A single cylinder 6Hp diesel motor with shaft driven two blade fixed propeller.
Number Engines
1
Horsepower
6.5
Power Source
Diesel
Cruise Speed
4 knots
Drive Type
Inboard Shaft Drive
Fuel
40L
Water
N/A
Accommodation
Headroom interior cabin featuring two side berths and a central timber engine box.
Cabins
2 side berth
Berths
2
Refrigeration
N/A
Freezer
N/A
Stove
N/A
Water Maker
N/A
Hotwater System
N/A
Shower
No
Toilet
Yes
Entertainment
N/A
Air Conditioning
No
Dinghy
Yes
Outboard
No
Covers
No
Ground Tackle
Yes
Safety Gear
12kg galvanised steel plough anchor
Bilge Pumps
Yes Rule 12v electric bilge pump wit float switch, hardwired to battery
Life Raft
No
Epirb
No
Life Jackets
4x foam filled 100N and 3x foam filled PFD1, lifejackets
Flares
Yes
Fire Protection
Yes V sheets, 1kg ABE powder extinguisher
Electronics
No marine VHF radio or EPIRB, no GPS, no radar or stero system.
Sail Inventory
Dacron main sail, Dacron No1 genoa
No spinaker, no storm sails
No spinaker, no storm sails
Mast / Rigging
Custom welded aluminium mast - Keel stepped, white painted aluminium mast section was found to be in reasonable and serviceable condition with no indications of any damage or undue corrosion; mast did appear to be straight when inspected from deck level
Running rigging was found to be in a reasonable and serviceable condition. Several spare lines were stored in bags throughout the vessel.
Running rigging was found to be in a reasonable and serviceable condition. Several spare lines were stored in bags throughout the vessel.
Deck Gear
Aluminium section boom, no furling system, Two Barlow 27 primary deck winches, Two bronze halyard winches mounted onto the mast
ABOUT THE SELLER
Silvina Billia
Rose Bay
NSW 2026 Australia
NSW 2026 Australia