WILDERNESS Otter
"Sloe"
2/4 Berth
This 19ft 6in Otter trailboat was built by us in 1988 to a bespoke super-de-luxe specification for the original owner. The present owners, of nearly thirty years, have progressively upgraded the craft and over the period have maintained it inside and out to very high standard.
Originally built as a 4 berth, now a 2 berth in the forward saloon with the back cabin accommodating a very efficient (removable) miniature solid fuel stove which provides a cosy warmth throughout the boat. Should 4 berths be required, the stove and its flue are easily removed, allowing a double-across bed in the rear cabin.
On the other side of the galley there is, beneath a good sized worktop, a modern 80L Dometic electric fridge which includes a top freezer compartment ; next to the fridge is a sizeable cutlery drawer and a flip-top waste bin below, along with food storage drawers. Above this port-side worktop are fitted two generous high level galley storage shelves with decorative galleried fiddle rails.
Aft of the galley, there is the usual Wilderness “bathroom” facility, a shower on one side and a toilet opposite, the doors of which interlink across the boat to provide a drying/dressing space between the two. The toilet contains a twin tank “Porta-potti”, a fold-down wash basin with its own integral water supply and useful galleried shelves above and below for toiletries. There is also a high level extractor fan exhausting through the roof.
There is however a modern Propex gas-fired blow-air heater discreetly installed below the galley;
it is thermostatically controlled and can provide adequate winter warmth through the whole boat if the stove is not in situ.
The central compact galley is well equipped and easy to use; it contains a long stainless steel “combi-unit” (sink & drainer and 2 burner hob & grill), and a separate Flavel Vanessa oven below. Water heating is from a bulkhead-mounted Paloma Mk5 instantaneous gas heater supplying sink, shower, and toilet washbasin.
The forward saloon has a demountable separate table and well upholstered seating sufficient for four or more diners.
At night there is a choice of two very long single berths or a double-across. Below the saloon seating there is extensive storage and the boat’s stainless steel freshwater tank.
The upholstery fabric is a soft, but, hard wearing discreet diamond patterned material covering comfortable high-quality medium-density foam. The night time centre-berth cushions are sized to stow neatly under the side decks during the day. The lined, 100% cotton curtains, as with the upholstery, are in extremely good condition.
The cabin sides and hull surfaces are well lined and insulated. Likewise, the curved coach roof is well insulated and lined with a cord carpet which is in good condition. There is an openable perspex sunroof above the galley and a 12v extractor vent .
Lighting throughout the boat is a mixture of high-level (switched), LED strip lights and there are two discreet, adjustable LED reading lamps in the forward saloon and there is even an under-shelf LED unit illuminating the portside worktop. A Kenwood stereo radio/CD player together with its speakers are mounted at high level in the galley.
The outer surface of the coachroof accommodates two curved 80watt solar panels, fore and aft of the sunroof, which charge the boat’s twin 110 A/hr leisure batteries (new in 2024) which are situated down below under the saloon cabin seats and controlled by directional 3-way switching. There is a stoutly fitted central rope ring for easy handling in locks and when mooring up, which is a sign of a well thought-out boat specified by an experienced Wilderness crew. A full set or navigation lights are fitted as is an LED headlight under the front hood.
The stern deck storage lockers accommodate outboard fuel and L.P.G. and the stern-deck safety rail is robust and in good condition and could, with only minor modifications, could be adapted to provide small daytime helm seats for use on long cruising days.
The exterior of the boat has a painted cabin top and painted hull, all is of which adhering well, whereas the decks, front and rear are still original glassfibre gel coat finish. The forward well-deck has a matching glass fibre cover and the space below can be used for additional storage such as spare fuel for the stove if necessary. All windows , both aluminium framed and rubber mounted, are sound and appear leak-free.
Above the main entry point at the rear doors there is a bespoke sliding access hatch cut into the glass fibre coachroof which is in good working order; an unusual, helpful facility for tall crew. Internal head room is approximately 6ft.
Tech Specs:
The Engine:
The Honda power-lift 15hp 4-stroke petrol outboard is tiller steered and has a double finned aluminium rudder for accurate slow speed steerage; it was new in 2016, is reported as running well and has been regularly serviced. There are twin long range fuel tanks in the adjoining fire-retarded safety locker.
The Trailer:
The fully galvanized trailer, is a bespoke professional build and was new in 2005 The whole loaded trailboat rig weighs in at approximately 2,300kgs and comes with lighting board and all necessary accessories.
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In short, this is a very good, long distance Wilderness trailboat rig, extremely well equipped, nicely honed by an experienced caring crew and has provided some thirty years of waterways exploration and enjoyment for the present owners on most of the UK’s rivers and canals.
Wilderness Otter “Sloe”, unexpectedly, and reluctantly, is now available for sale and seeking new caring owners. It has just arrived at Semington and is available for viewing. The Boat Safety Certificate is valid until 2028.
The Vendors are looking for offers very close to £25,700 for this well equipped and well maintained Wilderness trailboat and its extensive list of carefully selected ancillary equipment This asking price, with the new boating season upon us, represents, in our opinion both as brokers and original builders, good value for money and a fair price going forward.
For any purchasers with a 4x4 tow vehicle with a capacity in excess of 2,400 kgs., it offers the chance to explore almost every waterway in the UK and, for that matter, many of the waterways in France or The Netherlands to name but two. Alternatively prompt UK delivery could be arranged to facilitate immediate cruising and to allow time for considered tow-car acquisition .
For further information and arrangements to view contact Ian Graham on either 07973 815 920 or 01380 870 141 including evenings and weekends.