Delphis 10, VLYING DELPHIS

Broker’s Comments

Now here is something quite rare on the brokerage shelf.

Designed by Nigel Bennett and moulded and built by Itchenor’s Northshore Yacht Yard, this elegant planing gentleman’s cruiser is very well set up for cruising. Full, deeply-bulwarked walk-around decks, a secure aft cockpit with excellent engine access, and a well-finished cherry interior are cocooned in a fine profile – with classic lines reminiscent of Arthur Hagg in his heyday.

She was stoutly built in 2000, with her decks left bare in easily maintained non-slip, and teak sensibly laid only to her cockpit and bathing platform areas. Plenty of solid handholds and tall guardrails make for safe movement around her decks, and access is via a smartly varnished aft bulkhead door. Her saloon is bright and features a linear galley to port, with table and sofas to starboard. The leafed saloon table can convert to an occasional double berth if extended, increasing her capacity to six berths for overnighting – so she really does have Tardis-like qualities. There is plenty of stowage volume, and two opening hatches overhead, along with sliding side windows, provide ample ventilation – and excellent views out. Raised individual helm and co-pilot seats are set to starboard, with a fully instrumented console and a recent navigational suite, including a 12” Axiom display linked to Quantum radar.

She is fitted with an electric bowthruster, and reliable Morse throttle controls are linked to a pair of turbocharged Volvo diesels – enabling efficient cruising in the low twenties. Engine access is beneath the large hatch in the aft cockpit, with ample floor area in front of the belts, ensuring that engine batteries and filters are within easy reach – a rarity in many boats. These 170HP engines have low hours, start easily, and were the engine of choice for this design – being light, punchy, and straightforward to work on.

Forward of the helm is a hanging locker, and a couple of steps lead into the accommodation proper, with a separate heads/shower compartment to port, a guest twin cabin to starboard (with privacy curtain), and the master cabin forward. It is all neatly trimmed in cherry joinery, with practical laminate teak-and-holly effect flooring, and bright headlinings.

Her current owners have found her a very fine stopgap, following their retirement from sailing, and trust that she gives her new custodians as much enjoyment as she has given them. She has a useful turn of speed, yet will feel very familiar to any yachter, and her classic lines belie a very practical proposition.