"As - New Compass 28 For Sale - SAGA - ex "Hell an' Gone"

[Maeling]

This historic Compass 28 has come up for sale for only the second time in her 45 year history.  Saga was about Compass 28 #5 still with the soft green cabin sides that were  optional in the first production Compass 28's.  Her first owner Donald France RAN was a Veteran of the Scrap Iron Flotilla that supported "The Rats of Tobruk" hence Saga's original name, Hell an' Gone.  

I first remember Donald when dressed in an old great coat, he ordered me out of the Restricted Waters in Athol Bight close to the Zoo where the "Mothball Fleet” was moored.  The guard was maintained by naval veterans.  

Donald modified the rudder post on Saga, fairing the blunt post above and below the prop shaft the get better performance out of the 7hp Yanmar.  Original photos of Hell n' Gone show her with a Northerner 28 mainsail which one would suggest were surplus stock sold to Donald at a discount.  Don dragged her out for six Compass Regatta's crewed with the builder and part designer - Don Lees.

Saga probably had some extensive use in her first 20 years when Donald taught his niece to sail but after that she was just maintained to death on Donald's private slip.  After his passing she went to a boat builder friend to be purchased by the present owners. 

In honour of the owners’ Norse origins, she was renamed SAGA.   

The new owners chose to have her completely refitted at Woolwich Dock and fitted with a new BETA Diesel 14hp fresh water cooled engine. (The perfect replacement engine in a C28).  Of the rigging, only the mast and boom tubes were saved, everything else was replaced.  A roller furling headsail installed

New glass windows were put in, interior timbers replaced or renovated and little trims put in.   

She was selected and displayed at the Australian National Maritime Museum’s Classic and Wooden Boat Festival in Darling Harbour in 2016 and 2018

In as- new condition the owners expect offers around $36,000  

For inspection - Contact James Rickards on 0415 265 341

She is lying in Woodford Bay - Lane Cove River.

Geoff Raebel