One of the most sophisticated classes in modern cruiser/racer yacht design is the Gallant 53, on the $1 stamp of Antigua, with the class emblem. Built by the Southern Ocean Shipyard Ltd., of Bournemouth, the particular boat chosen for this stamp is one which has sailed in Antiguan waters, namely the ketch-rigged Sol-Quest. Constructed of glass fibre and designed by E. G. Van der Stadt, she has a displacement of 15 tons. She was the first yacht built of the Gallant 53 Class, a design of the Dutchman E.G. van de Stadt.
Built by the Southern Ocean Supplies Ltd., Shipyard at Bournemouth, U.K. for the American charter company Hathaway-Yong Ing. Hull, glass fibre. Displacement 15 tons, dim. 16.20 x 3.98 x 2.33m. (draught), length on waterline 11.80m.
Powered by one Perkins 4836 diesel engine, 2.500 rpm, 72 hp., speed under engine 7.5 knots.
Ketch rigged, sail area 426.5m². Carried 6 ton solid ballast. Accommodation for 6 guests and 2 crew when on longer charter voyages.
Delivered under the name SOL QUEST, with homeport Nassau, Bahamas. 18 August 1967 she sailed from the English port of Poole bound for Antigua, from where she will made charter trips in the Caribbean. Till 1970 already 25 yachts of this class built.
The present (2008) owners of the Sol Quest bought her in 2005 after finding her in Carentan, Northern France where she was offered for sale. The owners were living aboard after shipping her back from the Caribbean. She was in a very poor state after 40 years in the tropics. She was sailed over to Mylor Yacht Harbour in Cornwall where she underwent a fundamental restoration. The new owners were helped by the broker Alan Boundow who had worked for SOS Ltd and provided the original sales brochure in which Sol Quest featured. The photographs contained in the brochure helped reinstate original features and upholstery.
The previous owners had bought Sol Quest from Dyke and Inge Wilmerding who had purchased Sol Quest from the original owners. The Wilmerdings chartered her for many years out of The British Virgin Islands.
Sol Quest is now based in Milford Haven and this year (2008) has cruised the inner Hebrides as far north as Ardnamurchan point and as far south as Falmouth. She has been given a new lease of life and is a beautiful yacht to sail.
When purchased her name had been changed (by the Wilmerdings to Zulu Warrior) naturally we changed her back to her original name. (Details from the present owners).
Further detail from the owners:-We attach a photograph of Sol Quest taken just after she was recommissioned following repair at Mylor Yacht Harbour. We offer the following amendments on grounds of accuracy.
1) Sol Quest was launched by Mrs John H Bush of Hathaway-Young Ltd
2) The engine was and is a Perkins 4-236 diesel engine.
3) We had understood there were 22 Gallant 53s built between 1967 and 1973.
4) The broker referred to is Alan Bourdon.
Antigua SG332.
Details from Sea Breezes Oct 1970 and the present owners, to whom we are much obliged.