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Classic yacht unearthed from boat shed tomb

ENTOMBED: A time-capsule classic yacht is to emerge into daylight after slumbering for more than a decade in suspended animation in the dark recesses of an historic boat shed, writes Bart Bildhauer.
The Deben four-tonner enclosed in her time capsule
The Deben four-tonner enclosed in her time capsule

The Deben four-tonner, built in 1938 by Whisstocks in Woodbridge, became entombed when the boat shed in the former Dan Webb & Feesey yard in Maldon, Essex was partitioned down the middle.

That left the yacht, bricked in with no way out, as the only doors to the outside world large enough to get the boat through were on the other side of the wall.

Dave Selby has recently taken over the shed and bought the boat. He plans to occupy part of the 60x20ft shed for his own use and make space available to small businesses whose activities are sympathetic to the water front environment.

To free the 23ft yacht, named Coral II, from her dusty tomb, the door openings have been enlarged. With her Bermudan rig Coral II is unusual among Deben four-tonners, which are generally gaff cutters.

The asking price is £2,000 and it may be possible for the buyer to arrange to keep Coral II in Mr Selby's shed for further restoration. Anyone interested in part use of the shed or the Deben four-tonner can call Mr Selby on 01621-854978 or e-mail dave@rollingassets.com

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The Deben four-tonner enclosed in her time capsule

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