WHERE IS THE MOTOR-SAILER SOUTHERN BELLE TODAY

Todays woody story features the 35’ ketch rigged motorsailer- SOUTHERN BELLA, launched in 1960. She featured in the August 1961 edition of Sea Spray magazine.

In the top photo we see her preparing for launching at the Devonport Yacht Club. In the Sea Spray article , below, they described her as amateur designed and built by Barney and Peter Soljak (father & Son), alongside they Devonport home.

When launched she was powered by a 50hp BMC Commodore Diesel engine + a 4.5hp Lister auxiliary engine. 

(Story and photos ex Sea Spray magazine via Ken Ricketts)

Back in 2019 in another story, DYC related, Chris Leech commented at SOUTHERN BELLE had suffered fire damage and been restored. Chris supplied to photos , the first hauled out at DYC and afloat post repairs. Can we learn more about what happened and what became of SOUTHERN BELLE after this.