Iduna | Bristol Channel Cutter 28' 1983

The Lyle Hess designed Bristol Channel Cutter is truly one of the world’s most amazing sailing vessels! Her cutter rig and heavy displacement hull, mean that she is prepared for literally any weather condition. She is a comfortable to sale in a gale as she is in the lightest of airs. And thanks to rich, warm, interior joinery work below decks, she is the coziest yacht you’ll ever experience at just 28 feet. Reliable, Durable, Safe. Easy to Handle, Great Sailing Performance, Tremendous Storage, Remarkable Craftsmanship!!

The BCC 28 was made famous by the voyaging couple Lin and Larry Pardey who owned and sailed two channel cutters designed for them by Lyle Hess. They sailed under all five of the great southern capes and crossed the oceans many times. The Bristol Channel Cutter was designed and built for safe passage making and to be easy to handle for a solo sailor or a couple. If you are reading this you undoubtedly are a follower of the BCC 28 and you might still yearn for one of these salty sailing vessels. You likely know that the Sam L. Morse Company built 126 of these over 35 years in Costa Mesa California. However you may not know that about 22 BCCs were built in Canada from the same mold under a license agreement from the Sam Morse Company. These Canadian BCCs were built by Channel Cutter Yachts and most were purchased as a hull and deck kit and were owner completed in the 80s. These Canadian BCCs are truly a bargain as they are the same Lyle Hess design and built equally solidly with a fiberglass hull, encapsulated lead ballast, and overbuilt construction. Because they were mostly owner completed the interior layouts can be unique and often quite beautiful and innovative. Best of all they sell for a bit less making them more affordable and often actually a real bargain.

Our special offering “Iduna” is one such Bristol Channel Cutter. Iduna’s hull was laid up by hand in 1979 by Channel Cutter Yachts in Vancouver Canada. Over several years she was completed by Erica and Peter Thinnus with an interior of teak and Alaskan Yellow cedar and rich bronze ports and a teak cabin sole. The boat was not launched until 1983 when she was christened “Iduna” the Norse goddess of eternal youth. It is often the case that people who build boats do not really sail far and after a year, Iduna was sold to a couple who did sail far! They voyaged to Panama from Washington State, transited the Canal and cruised for six or seven years ownership. Again her owners cruised the Caribbean for some years and eventually the boat was sold to a couple from Maine where she ended up in a barn were our friends found her. They had already owned and restored a Pacific Seacraft  Flicka and earned for another gratifying project. The Bristol Channel Cutter was their dream boat. They purchased the boat set out to restore and upgrade Iduna. They were incredibly good owners who loved and lavished Iduna of 16 year while cruising very lightly in the Chesapeake Bay. I have fond memories of rowing over for dinner aboard Iduna to enjoy the beautiful romantic ambiance of Iduna’s beautiful interior gleaming under the soft flickering light of the oil lamps and warmed by the Dickinson fireplace all while enjoying Rod’s good cooking! I think that was the best part of owning the boat for them.

If you earn for a lovely Bristol Channel Cutter, this offering is a great opportunity. She is the real Lyle Hess BCC that is rock solid and proven. She has many upgrades including radar, a single side band radio and 12 v refrigeration. She is comfortable and beautiful.   

If you have yearned for a Bristol Channel Cutter, don't miss this opportunity!  Iduna is currently down rigged with the mast in storage. The mast was professionally unstepped by Eastport Spar & Rigging, and the boat was otherwise prepared to be shipped. Her holding and fuel tanks have been pumped out, and both the windvane steering and boom gallows have been disassembled to prevent damage in transit. All components have been carefully labeled and stored on-board.

If you are in the market for a Bristol Channel Cutter, Iduna is now ready to truck anywhere! You will not incur the costs of getting her ready to truck. Of course she can be easily recommissioned right here on the Chesapeake Bay.

FULL SPECIFICATIONS

Accommodations

A Bristol Channel Cutter is a work of art and if you appreciate fine art and craftsmanship. As you enter the companionway, the large, workable galley is to port, the chart table/nav station to starboard with the famous flip up counter that gives you more space than a forty-foot boat. Just aft on starboard is the quarter berth garage for loads of storage or a berth if you like. Just forward the cozy human sized salon is perfect with the Dickinson marine fireplace heater with a tile surround on the starboard bulkhead. The dining arrangement works really well for four and maybe you can definitely seat six with the leaf. The L-shaped settee to port converts to a double berth while the starboard settee is also a nice sea berth for one. The dining table stows against the bulkhead to make more space for moving about.

The forward cabin is the all purpose room with the marine head, sink and vanity with a chest of drawers, medicine cabinet, linen closet and even a shower bag arrangement. The forepeaks area is allocated for great storage of everything from tools, to anchors and rode, and extra lines, and spares, and even provisions for a passage. Access to the chain locker is through a hinged door all the way forward.

Opening portlights and a generous opening skylight provide ample light and air, while the warm glow of three gimbaled oil lamps makes the cabin radiate. The teak and Alaskan Yellow Cedar interior is lovely and the joinery is also pure craftsmanship. The teak and holly cabin sole is like a real small ship and the ambiance is simply lovely from another time. It is something to enjoy.

• Port settee makes double berth
• Bulkhead stowed table can be deployed with extra leaf
• Straight settee to starboard with cabinetry outboard
• Lovely joinery for cabinets and shelves outboard of settees
• Forward cabin head and massive storage
• Wonderful light and ventilation
• Dickinson P9000 marine fireplace heater with coaxial chimney (20lbs Propane)
• Built-in on a tiled “fireplace”
• Nav station to starboard with drawers and cabinets
• Quarter berth aft to starboard for stowage
• Large opening hatch skylight in the salon
• Large opening hatch forward
• Teak and holly cabin sole
• Ample head room of 6’1” and under the skylight it is 6’4”
• Bronze opening ports for great ventilation (nine)
• Three beautiful oil lamps
• Cabin lights – Alpenglow and other low amp lights
• Red and white lights at the nav station
• Stereo with AM/FM radio and Bluetooth with nice speakers to fill the interior with sound
• Dickinson P9000 marine fireplace/heater with coaxial chimney ~ 20 lb. propane tank with manual valve actuator per ABYC standards (make up air is supplied through chimney and pre—heated by exhaust gasses in inner chimney)
• Fan 12v

Galley & Plumbing

This BCC has the largest and most functional galley that exists. You can stow enough provisions for months on end. You have great counter space because of the innovative flip up counter. The galley is located to port, right when you step down the companionway. A deep stainless steel sink holds everything. Cabinets are outboard and there is more counter space under the stairs. To starboard, there is a full-size navigation station and chart table. The famous Lyle Hess designed counter bridges the space creating amazing work space that allows easy access to the refrigerator and to all the storage areas. It is a dream come true and rivals any galley. Use the counter!

• Huge well insulated refrigerator
• Frigoboat keel cooled 12v refrigeration system
• Manual ice box drain
• Shipmate gimbaled two-burner propane stove/oven
• Blue Seas solenoid valve
• 20lb propane tank (two in decks boxes beside the mast)
• Remote solenoid shut off
• Heater has a manual propane shut off
• Single deep sink big enough for a pot
• Fresh water foot pump
• Incredible stowage dry storage
• Flatware drawer
• Cutting board
• Trash bin
• Custom dish racks
• All galley ware conveys!
• Ample counter space with ingenious lift up counter bridge
• Counters are a combination of the epoxy coated wood and Corian

Propane for Dickinson Fireplace Cabin Heater

• Starboard deck locker
• Properly vented with solenoid
• One 20 lb tanks to run the stove
• Dickinson Marine fireplace that takes air from outside

Plumbing Details:

• 40 gallons of water in two Flex tanks tanks
• One head located in the fore cabin
• Holding tank, 15 gallon under the cabin sole in the forecabin
• Deck pump out

• Blake Lavac head with Henderson manual pump
• Diverter valve for direct overboard direct head discharge offshore

Storage

The BCC has more storage than you can even imagine and more than so many larger boats! It is amazing with the full keel and innovative storage amenities.

• Galley has ample cupboards, deep storage, pantry, and drawers 
• Dish and Cup storage in island above sink
• Storage under settees: locker and cabinet storage above berths as well as one bookshelf port and starboard
• Quarter berth to starboard also serves as a storage area
• Chart storage underneath navstation and 3 draws and double door cabinet below
• Built—in storage locker below stove
• Pots and Pans storage in cabinet under chart table,

Navigation and Communications Systems

Great stand up nav station below tidy and neat with cabinets and drawers for storage. The chart table lifts up to provide with plenty of storage for charts, etc. Red LED task lighting is excellent. The navstation includes cubbies for additional storage, and incorporates pen/pencil holders, a compass holder, and innumerable other well-considered storage solutions. Includes Radar, VHF, GPS, SSB.

• Furuno Radar and GPSC3-37
• Furuno WASS Navigator DGPS
• Icom 802 Single Sideband Radio with AT-140 digital tuner
• Insulated backstay antenna
• Standard Horizon Quest VHF radio with demand Mic in the cockpit
• Raymarine ST50 depth sounder
• Raymarine ST50 knot meter
• Simrad Tiller Pilot
• Cape Horn windvane steering system
• Plath bulkhead mounted compass
• Handheld compass for taking bearings
• Handheld fluxgate bearing compass
• Barometer Weems and Plath barometer
• Bronze overhead telltale compass in the saloon
• Clock Weems and Plath Tideclock  ( recently refurbished by Weems & Plath)
• Clinometer (Heel o meter)

Systems: Mechanical & Electrical Systems

It is totally amazing that this original Sabb diesel powers the boat at 5 knots and you can crank it up by hand if you need to. The engine has been rebuilt with a new cylinder head, new valves, new exhaust mixer and new shaft. It’s awesome. We call in thumper; she’s like a heartbeat!

Very friendly engine space with good access!

• Saab Model G, 18 hp inboard diesel with 460 hours since rebuild 2001
• Parts available from Sabb America in Florida
• New engine mounts in 2001
• New cylinder head
• New Valves
• New Silencer mixer
• New Sabb 1” shaft direct drive
• Sabb flexible shaft seal – Sabb drip free with greaser in excellent condition
• Traditional Sabb stuffing box
• 18” Sabb controllable variable pitch prop with reversing pitch
• Spare blades for the prop
• Hand start or electric start
• Counter balanced piston
• 5 knots at 1700 rpms
• Racor 500 fuel filter
• Fuel tank 10 gallons in two six gallon jerry jugs (remember she sailed from Vancouver to Panama and all around the Caribbean and up the East Coast, oh…in November!)
• Bosh secondary main engine fuel filter
• 35 amp alternator
• Balmar regulator ARS-5
• Receipts available for most equipment
• Service – solid good maintenance with oil changes yearly regardless of house

ELECTRICAL:

Completely rewired in 2001 with tinned marine grade wire with beautiful breaker panel wiring for the 12 volt system and the shore power.

• Four Trojan T-105 deep cycle batteries 2013
• 450 amp hours
• Battery monitor
• Main engine 35 amp alternator Balmar ARS regulator
• DC electrical panel
• Nav lights
• Hella Tricolor masthead light
• Hella deck level running lights port and starboard
• Deck light on the mast
• Steaming light
• Stern light
• Cabin lights – one Alpenglow cabin light
• Three Aqua Signal florescent galley lights
• One Aqua Signal vanity light in the head
• Red lights at the nav station
• Manual bilge pump
• Electric Bilge pump 
• Frigoboat 12v refrigeration with keel cooler
• Shore power system
• 30 amp shore power connection
• Xantrex TrueCharge battery charger
• Shore power cord

Rig and Sails Inventory

 Stout, true cutter rig with keel stepped aluminum mast with double spreaders robust wire rigging with outboard chain plates. 

• THE RIG:
• True Cutter rig
• Keel stepped mast
• Aluminum with double spreaders
• Mast and boom repainted in 2001
• Boom gallows
• Wire rigging
• Schaefer headsail furler
• External halyards with mast winches
• Mast raised at the mast and reefed in the cockpit
• Spare halyard
• Loos rigging tension gauge
• Single line reefing system (Roger Olsen’s method)
• Boom end mainsheet sheeting
• Lazy jacks system
• All reefing in the cockpit 
• Headsail built in Lunenburg, awesome Tanbark sails with hand stitching
• Working jib built in Camden Maine, tanbark
• Staysail built in Lunenburg Nova Scotia with hand sewn grommets and reinforced reefing points
• Suite of Sails: mains’, stays’, and yankee jib
• Total sail area 670 sq ft
• Mains’ 270 sq ft
• Three reefs in the mains’
• Reefing in the cockpit

Winches

• Primary sheet winches: Bronze Barient #28 on the coaming
• Staysail sheet winches: two Bronze Murray winches with built-in jam cleat
• Reefing winch – Anderson SS on the boom
• Mast winches – three bronze Murray winches with built in jam cleat     

Hull Construction and Design Details

Iduna is a Lyle Hess designed Bristol Channel Cutter built from the same mold as the Sam L. Morse BCCs. She was laid up in Vancouver and owner finished over several years to be launched in 1983. The hull is solid fiberglass, hand laid by skilled craftsmen. The deck and cabin top are marine plywood and hand laid fiberglass an inch thick. Her original gelcoat is in great condition. The side decks are very wide, 2.5 feet in one spot. The eight-inch bulwarks ensure safety like a baby's cradle. You feel really comfortable working or playing on deck. The bulwarks are beautiful, constructed by solid mahogany planks slightly raised off the deck, supported by massive posts on 20 inch centers. This means the entire deck is a scupper, guaranteeing you quick drainage in any sea. The entire top of the little forward doghouse opens, making passing sails, an easy job. The forward cabin is designed so that you can easily pass sails up or down or open the large hatch for incredible ventilation below. The cockpit is comfortable, safe and with good coamings around, making for good back rest. Massive sampson posts support the mooring lines and define her little ship.

HULL:

• Solid hand laid fiberglass hull
• Marine ply and fiberglass deck
• External massive rudder
• Tiller steering
• Massive sampson post
• Bow sprit with dolphin striker
• Bow roller
• Massive chocks and cleats
• Topsides waxed and polished
• Wilcox Crittenden bronze seacocks through bolted New bottom paint
• Essex grease cups allow most seacocks to be greased at sea

DECK:

• Marine plywood sandwiched with fiberglass about 1 and 1/4 inch thick!
• Fast draining deck with wide side decks and 8-inch bulwarks
• Molded nonskid deck
• Large opening hatch on the forward cabin (dog house)
• Teak boxes port and starboard at the mast for propane
• Large faux butterfly hatch in main salon and in the fore cabin
• Bronze dorades on custom teak boxes
• Bronze opening ports
• Tall stanchions
• Double lifelines with boarding gates
• Over sized bronze chocks
• Bronze oversize cleats
• Dinghy chocks under boom for custom nesting dinghy
• Teak handrails on coach roof
• Boomkin mahogany
• Boom gallows, bronze with teak gallows
• Eight-inch mahogany bulwark with bronze chocks
• Teak belaying pins

COCKPIT

• Small ocean safe cockpit
• Solid hatch boards
• Dodger
• Connector panel to shade cockpit
• Boom gallows
• Teak cockpit coamings
• Sheet winches on the coaming
• Staysail winches on the cabin house
• Mainsheet aft in the cockpit
• Teak cockpit grate
• Taft rail
• Engine instrument control panel
• Bulkhead mounted instruments
• Tiller steering
• Easy to single hand sail with everything in easy reach
• Cape Horn windvane steering system

CANVAS:

• Dodger 
• Bimini attaches to boom gallows
• Sail cover
• Stays'l bag for the hank on staysail

GROUND TACKLE:

• Bow sprit with dolphin striker
• Triple bow rollers
• Bronze Manual ABI Windlass
• CQR 35# with chain rode
• Chain locker below deck
• Sampson posts
• Mahogany Bulwarks with bronze chocks

DINGHY:

• 3' Two Paws dinghy (Catspaw) weighs less than 50 lb. constructed of epoxy, fiberglass, Okuma marine plywood and quarter sawn fir.
• A set of oars
• 8 lb. mushroom anchor
• Hard dinghy is in good condition, but with some damage on the chine easily repaired

SAFETY

• Manual bilge pump

• Orion flares and smoke flares - not current
• Rescue throwing rope
• 2 new in?atable PFDs with harness
• 1 fire extinguisher located at base of mast
• No Discharge placard
• Jack lines