Wilson Bros Topsail Schooner

HUGE PRICE REDUCTION due to family and personal issues. The legendary Tasmanian Topsail Schooner DERWENT HUNTER is available in March 2024 for new custodians to take her on her next chapter in her life. Whether as a private ship for round the world sailing and liveaboard or continue tourism operations, her current Certificate of Operation includes 1D for partially smooth waters for 65 passengers and 5 crew and 1B for 200nm offshore waters for 21 passengers and 4 crew.

Preparations are underway for being slipped and available for inspection out of the water in late February 2024 and as such the price will be reviewed and increased upon completion of the slip and depending on the scope of works done.

THE PRIVATE OPPORTUNITY (Ship only as is where is $395,000) Currently being slipped and price may increase.

Derwent Hunter has a lot of room. As a private vessel for a small family, there are 6 separate cabins. Reconfiguration or removal of some cabins would provide a greater interior space with which to design larger living areas, saloon and galley. She can be sailed with two strong sailors, but better with 3 or 4 for the main and foresail haul. Adding solar and water maker would provide off-grid living on a grand scale.

THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY (additional to the ship)

The Derwent Hunter has been operating in the sheltered waters of the Whitsundays in Queensland under the banner of Tall Ship Adventures. Currently offering shorter tours such as sunset tours, private charters, weddings, lunch tours, it is an easy business to operate with potential to expand into the overnight market which is something she had done for many years prior. She can also go back into the full day eco sailing adventures if new owners desire.

You could also relocate the ship and take the branding with you (noting that some things are Queensland-based such as Liquor Licence etc.
Included with the vessel and business as a package:
1. Tall Ship Adventures branding, website, social media, trademarks, forward bookings, agent connections, booking platform (Fareharbor), marketing A-Frames and associated gear.
2. Queensland liquor licence. She even has her own wine label.

THE SHIP

The Schooner was built for Mr Arthur Drysdale who was the owner of the Wrest Point Hotel on the Derwent River. The design brief for the Derwent Hunter was for a fast sailing vessel resembling a grand banks schooner that could be used for gentlemanly pursuits and to supply fresh fish directly to his Wrest Point Hotel.  In 1950 the CSIRO purchased the Derwent Hunter to become Australia's first oceanographic research vessel.

For over 12 years, from 1950 - 1962, she worked under sail roving from Antarctic waters in the Southern Ocean and as far north as Noumea and the outer Pacific basin. From 1962 to 1974, the Derwent Hunter was part of a commercial enterprise that operated adventure tours and interesting "voyages" from Darwin through Indonesia and Malaysia in the early 1970's. In 1969 The eye catching lines of the Derwent Hunter brought her fame and fortune in 1969 when she was chosen by Paramount Studios 0-Ten Network to become the "Pacific Lady" in the hit family television series "The Rovers". From 1974 until 2020 she has had six different owners, undertaking fishing and cargo operations, overnight and day tours, charters and private use.

It is time for her next adventure.