Bimbi is a Hillyard 6 Ton, built in 1953 and representing a particularly interesting opportunity for somebody looking for a traditional wooden cruising yacht with history and character. Bimbi has a particularly interesting history, detailed at the bottom of this listing. Bimbi has over the last few years undergone some key work; rebuild of the bow with a new pulpit, replacement planking to port and starboard where required, recaulked hull, new gearbox, mainsail cover, saloon cushions, dinghy, batteries and bilge pumps. Having said this she will still need some love and restoration to bring her back to her former glory – and therefore presents a fantastic opportunity to continue her story, with a new owner.

Viewing by appointment only through the Suffolk office – 01473 659681 or email: suffolk@clarkeandcarter.co.uk

Accommodation

Four berths across forecabin and saloon. The forepeak currently requires fitting out as part of the ongoing project. Moving aft into the saloon, featuring settee berths either side of a central twin-leaf folding table. Aft to port is a compact galley with a two-burner gas cooker/oven that will require recommissioning with new gas pipework. There is pressurised hot and cold water. Opposite to starboard is a compact heads compartment with manual Jabsco marine toilet.

Mechanical Systems

Located beneath the companionway is a Bukh DV20 20hp marine diesel engine driving a fixed three-bladed propeller through a conventional shaft. Two fuel tanks are fitted. A replacement gearbox has been installed during the current ownership and manuals for both the engine and gearbox are available.

Electrical Systems

• 1x 12v Domestic Battery (2026)
• 1x 12v Engine Start Battery (2026)
• Shore Power System
• Battery Charger

Sails and Spars

Sloop rig with deck-stepped alloy mast and wooden boom. Stainless Steel standing rigging (age unknown), terylene running rigging.

• Mainsail // Make & Age unknown
• 2x Jibs // Make & Age unknown

Deck Equipment

• Simpson Lawrence Manual anchor windlass
• Mainsail cover
• Fenders and warps
• Boarding ladder
• Waveco 2.3m dinghy

Navigation Equipment

• VHF radio
• Depth sounder (requires reconnection)
• Speed/log (requires reconnection)
• Compass
• Clock and barometer
• Navigation lights (requires reconnection)

Safety Equipment

• 2x Electric bilge pumps
• 1x Manual bilge pump

Construction

Built by Hillyards in 1953. Sapele planked hull on oak frames. Long keel. White painted topsides with red antifouling. Keel-hung rudder. Hull last antifouled May 2026. The owner reports that during his ownership the bow has been completely rebuilt, including a new pulpit, planking has been replaced to port and starboard where required and the entire hull has been recaulked. The deck now requires attention and the owner also notes some cracked internal ribs.

Further “Bimbi” History

According to her owner's family history she was originally built for a General Gale in 1953. The owner further records that Arthur Ransome and his family stayed aboard Bimbi during that summer while waiting for their own Hillyard to be completed. Ransome's association with the Hillyard yard is well documented. He owned three Hillyards, including the two Lottie Blossoms, and contemporary research records him inspecting an aft-cockpit 5½-ton Hillyard under construction in late 1952 while planning the second Lottie Blossom. The Hillyard Owners Association records her as yard number 490 and official number 185646, with her appearing in Lloyd's Registry from 1953 until 1974. The post-war Hillyard 6 Ton was one of the yard's established cruising designs. The Hillyard Owners Association describes the first post-war standard hull as the design which became known as the 6 Tonner, having started life as a 5½-tonner before being lengthened. The Hillyard designation should not be confused with Thames Measurement tonnage: a Hillyard 6 Tonner could measure approximately 5 tons TM. The present owner's uncle acquired Bimbi in about 1998 and, according to the family history, completely restored her. She was kept at Falmouth for around four years before sailing to the South of France, where the family enjoyed her for approximately 15 years, followed by a further three years in southern Spain. The family cruised extensively along the French and Spanish Mediterranean coasts. Following his uncle's death in 2020, the current owner transported Bimbi back to the UK by road and subsequently carried out further work to make her seaworthy. More recently she has been sailed locally between the Rivers Orwell and Colne.

Disclaimer:

The company normally acts as brokers for the vendor who unless otherwise stated is not selling in the course of a business. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of these particulars the correctness is not guaranteed and they are intended as a guide only and do not constitute a part of any contract. A prospective buyer is strongly advised to check these particulars and where appropriate and at their own expense to employ a qualified marine surveyor to carry out a survey and/or to have an engine trial conducted which if conducted by us shall not imply any liability on our part.
General note on safety equipment: Any safety equipment such as liferaft, fire extinguishers and flares etc., are usually personal to the current owner(s) and if being left on board as part of the sale of a used vessel, may require routine servicing, replacement, or changing to meet the specific needs of the new owner(s).