Variations & Configurations
Though the earliest vessels were meticulously crafted in wood—typically utilizing larch or mahogany planking over steam-bent oak frames—the Lone Gull II's enduring popularity led to several variations over its production run. While many hulls were built by professional shipyards, several were completed by amateur builders from official plans, resulting in highly customized interior layouts. Later in the production cycle, a limited number of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) hulls were molded, offering owners a low-maintenance alternative while retaining the heavy encapsulated ballast of the original lines.
Rigging configurations also varied significantly depending on the owner's cruising grounds. While the standard factory blueprint called for a simple masthead sloop rig, Griffiths designed the mast to step into a tabernacle, facilitating easy lowering for canal transits and bridge clearances. Some owners opted for gaff yawl, cutter, or even highly customized junk-rigged schooner configurations, which aligned perfectly with the hull's balanced, low-stress sailing dynamics. The underbody was similarly optimized for tidal autonomy; the vessel features a shallow central ballast keel paired with heavy-duty twin bilge keels. This "triple keel" arrangement allows the boat to stand perfectly upright and dry out safely on sand or mud when the tide recedes, a crucial asset for creek crawling.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The Lone Gull II is a heavy, traditional cruiser that trades agility for safety and comfort. With a displacement of 11,500 pounds and a modest sail area, its sail area-to-displacement (SA/Disp) ratio sits at an underpowered 12.25. In light airs, the boat can feel sluggish and requires a stiff breeze to truly come alive. However, when the wind rises, the physical advantages of its design become obvious. A robust ballast-to-displacement ratio of 36.52% provides exceptional stiffness and righting capability. This stability is enhanced by deliberately flattened bilges, which nearly eliminate the rolling action common to double-enders or deep-V hulls when running downwind.
With a displacement-to-length (Disp/LWL) ratio of 371.38, the hull sits firmly in the ultra-heavy category, and its impressive comfort ratio of 37.78 ensures an incredibly soft, sea-kindly motion that easily slices through a heavy North Sea chop. Boasting a capsize screening value of 1.6, the boat’s safety margins are well within ocean-going standards. Helming the Lone Gull II is a remarkably low-effort affair. Thanks to its deep forefoot, long central keel, and tracking bilge plates, the boat exhibits legendary directional stability. It has an almost uncanny ability to hold a course unattended for long periods without the aid of complex windvane gear or power-hungry autopilots.
Known Issues & Triage
Given the vintage nature of these vessels, potential buyers must approach structural assessments with a focus on materials and construction age. On wooden models, the most critical high-stress zones are the bilge keel attachment points. Because these twin keels bear the entire weight of the 5.7-ton vessel every time it dries out, the internal floor timbers, sister frames, and keel bolts in this area must be inspected for structural movement, weeping, or rot.
The raised deck design, while spacious, introduces specific deck-joint vulnerabilities. The junction where the flush foredeck meets the forward cabin trunk acts as a natural water trap; if fresh water penetrates this joint, it can quickly rot the underlying wooden deck beams and carlins. Additionally, the mast compression post and the area surrounding the tabernacle step must be closely examined. Over decades of tension, water ingress around the deck-level mast step can soften the timber supports, leading to deck sag and rig misalignment. Mechanically, the original 9 HP Lister Petter diesel engine is considered underpowered for modern cruising in heavy currents. Many surviving boats have been successfully re-engined with more powerful 18 to 20 HP units (such as Bukh, Beta, or Perkins diesels) to provide safer motoring authority.
The Verdict
The Lone Gull II remains a highly respected masterpiece of classic, shoal-draft British design. It is not a boat for those who value speed, pointing ability, or modern fiberglass convenience. Instead, it is a specialized, incredibly safe "little ship" built for the patient cruiser who wishes to explore shallow estuaries, dry out on remote sandbars, and enjoy a dry, comfortable ride in rough weather.
Pros:
- Exceptional comfort and sea-kindliness with a high motion comfort index.
- Twin bilge keels allow the boat to dry out upright on tidal moorings.
- Raised-deck construction provides remarkable interior volume and headroom for a 28-footer.
- Superb directional stability and tracking under sail.
- Strong, heavy-displacement hull with excellent safety and capsize resistance.
Cons:
- Underpowered sail area makes light-wind sailing sluggish and inefficient.
- Wooden construction demands intensive, ongoing maintenance of hull planks, frames, and varnish.
- Original 9 HP engine setup lacks the power needed to battle strong head tides.
- Potential rot vulnerabilities at the deck-to-cabin joinery and mast step.
