Owners Notes

Godspeed was lying ashore at Nanny Cay Marina before Hurricane Irma struck the BVI’s. She was hemmed in between 2 smaller, weaker monohulls. Like 90% of the yachts in Nanny Cay, she was blown over to about 45 degrees during the early stages of the storm. The current owner purchased from her insurers at this stage and the minimal damage was repaired in time for the 2018 BVI Spring Regatta. Godspeed won every race in the ‘Performance Cruising’ division handily. 

In early June 2018 she suffered a heavy grounding having broken free of her mooring in Sea Cow’s Bay, near Nanny Cay. She was pulled off the reef only to sink in about 30’ of water. She was salvaged the following day. There began a long 3-year period of repair. She was completely emptied including sole boards, tanks, headliners and a lot of joinery with everything getting deep cleaned and dry stored. The engine and transmission were running within a day of hauling. Many oil changes later and after much care both are now in great shape. The engine was reconditioned in 2016 by Trans Atlantic Diesel inc. And the original transmission was replaced with a ZF 63 continuous duty marine unit more commonly seen in Sports Fishing boats. The hull repairs to the starboard side were extensive but mainly below the waterline. A mold was cast on a sister ship which made repairs so much easier and accurate. Once hull repairs were completed, she was treated to a full awlgrip paint job in Snow White and Empress Blue.

During the repair all the original wiring was pulled out of the midship conduits. A temporary 12v house bank has been wired in with 4 ‘Blue Sea’ AGM batteries. This can be easily converted back to 24v in the future. At present the 12v banks powers the bilge pump, high water alarm, fuel tank gauge, freshwater pump, Nav lights and basic lighting. Engine start and stop is from a separate 24v bank. All batteries are in their original boxes. During the refit extra conduits have been installed to make the re-wiring project easier. Older Swans tend to have very congested conduits, not this one!

With all headliner panels removed it made sense to renew those plywood panels that were suspect and fit new headliner material throughout. All plywood panels, old and new have been treated with sealer before new Headliner materials was fitted. Like all Swans no headliner panels are glued to the underside of the deck, every panel can be easily removed for access to conduits and wiring.

Known History

Mast step replacement

In 2004 IYM was engaged by the then owner to carry out a mast step and forward cradle replacement, either side of the main bulkhead. Originally all Swan 51’s were built with galvanized steel mast steps and ‘keel bolt to beams’ floors. Replacement of the mast steps is a huge undertaking and a costly process. The owner used a notable BVI machine shop to fabricate the new parts and IYM worked alongside him to install them. These SS frames will not corrode and are for life. At this time the standing rigging was replaced with all new Navtec dryform rigging and rod forestay.

Engine and transmission 2016

The original Perkins 85HP 4326 engine was removed in 2016 and shipped to USA in exchange for an identical reconditioned unit. This was coupled to a new ZF 63 multi clutch continuous duty marine transmission. At this time a new custom SS exhaust manifold was fabricated and a dripless ‘PSS’ shaft seal was installed. Since installation approximately 150 hrs have been logged. The 1.5” shaft is straight and true but the 3 blade max prop has two slightly distorted blades.

Teak decks

Godspeed was fitted with new teak decks by the previous owner.

https://auerboatworks.weebly.com/swan-teak-deck.html

Date unknown but the teak is still in good condition with plenty of life left in the deck. The gelcoat topsides is original and has never been refinished. It needs some work after many years in the tropics but at least you can see what you are getting, nothing has been filled and ‘dressed up’.

Rigging

Original ‘bullet-proof’ Nautor mast and boom.

Navtec hydraulics with vang, backstay and inner forestay controlled by a manifold housed within the helm station. The manifold has just been rebuilt with new seals and bearings. No rigging problems were experienced during the very windy 2022 BVI Spring Regatta with full sail set on all 3 days.

Original Reckmann manual furler fitted over a rod forestay.

Sails

Doyle offshore double stitched and waxed main and 120% genoa in great condition. Harken mainsail track with full length battens.

Various race sails included, storm sails, a masthead asymmetric by Doyle and an ‘old school’ symmetrical spinnaker along with a beautiful carbon pole by Hall.

Deck and winches.

16 deck winches! All working bar two. Some original Lewmar ‘Wave train’ self furlers, other Lewmar ST’s and Harken 990 genoa monsters. Two Harken XX electric just ahead of the aft cockpit. Lewmar 3000 24v Windlass with 250’ ½” SS chain and rode. Fortress secondary anchor with 40’ chain and 300’ rode.

The two Harken electric winch motors and the windlass motor need repair or replacement.