Gates & Co

Dawning Light II is a GRP replica of a Reg Freeman design (Dawning Light) from 1934, which was built by Johnson & Jago). She was built in 1986-7 by the Benfleet Boat Company, who added a counter stern to the original boat, and used the hull as a mould for cold moulding a new hull in mahogany and epoxy resin. Many of the original galvanized fittings, lead keel and the pine spars have been refurbished and incorporated in the rebuild.

DL II was purchased by us in Falmouth in March 2002 and since then has been based on a swinging mooring in Chichester Harbour, from where she has been daysailed, mainly singlehanded.

The hull, deck and spars have been re–painted and varnished, and although she has been stored ashore for five out of the last seven years, she has been well maintained in all respects.

More details:
She is a great compromise between the beauty of a classic wooden yacht and the simple maintenance of a modern GRP yacht.
• She has a very powerful rig and her suit of sails will cope with all winds between F6 and F1, I’ve particularly enjoyed light wind sailing with the powerful mainsail bellied out but F3 & F4 are exhilarating under full sail.
• She flies along in F6 with a small staysail, no jib and all 3 reefs in the main.
• She is a heavy displacement yacht which provides a comfortable motion in a seaway and her gentle heeling angle gives confidence to her crew.
• She heaves–to beautifully and allows foredeck work to be done with ease.
• She is very forgiving to the helmsman and can be sailed in an unbelievably relaxed manner.
• She is very responsive to those who seek to tweak the rig and helm positively and she has many simple ways of tweaking the set of the sails.
• She has a cosy varnished wooden cabin full of character and charm with a small galley and heads as well as loads of storage
• She can take the ground on her long keel on legs, quay walls or piles as used every year for a scrub.

LOD 22’ 6” (Bowsprit steeved up)
LOA 30’
LWL 18’ 6”
Beam 7’ 6”
Draft 3’ 3”