Stories in Wood: A Tale of Resurrection of a Classic Coronet Motor Yacht

Hidden amongst nostalgia and dust, a once loved classic Coronet motor yacht sat forgotten and abandoned. But it chanced upon a new life after boat dealer and enthusiast David Adams decided to marry his fondness for classic craft and give this motor yacht a second wind.

Coronet, a once coveted brand that had faded with time, saw prominence back in 1970 when their 21-foot model was shipped to the UK from Botved Boats in Sweden. What separated it from others in the market was its novel fiberglass deep-vee hull and top-notch production process, at a time when wooden handbuilt craft were the norm. This Coronet model has had only two owners prior to Adams acquiring it.

Fast forward to 1979, and enter the second owner, Russell Culpan who procured the motor yacht for a handsome sum. This deal included an enticing freebie – a pair of swanky maroon swimming trunks left behind by Millington! Known for his love for boats, Russell also held exclusive UK importing rights for Boston Whaler.

The Coronet, rechristened as Pachazo, in Russell’s custody saw an active and eventful life. Most summer mornings saw a ski rope being cast off the side of this classic motor yacht with mates cutting through the water on their slalom skis. The original twin Volvo Penta sterndrives were overhauled in the 70s.

During its prime, Pachazo often served as a flagship of sorts during the annual Cowes-Torquay race, bearing witness to exciting battles on the sea and showcasing its cruising prowess. Despite never being a race competitor, Pachazo proved to be a swift vessel, hitting top speeds of around 36 knots, made possible by twin Volvo 130hp petrol engines – the marine versions of a Volvo Amazon car engine. These engines were temperamental to maintain, notorious for their carburettors and rust-prone exhaust manifolds.

After years of service, Pachazo started to show signs of wear, prompting Russell to consider a refurbishment. Unfortunately, due to work pressures, the proposed refurbishment was postponed repeatedly and Pachazo was moved to a field for long-term storage, leaving its future uncertain. Eventually, the boat was shifted back to Russell’s boatyard for another period of abandonment.

This is when Adams decided to step in and offer this forgotten gem a new lease of life. He approached Russell in 2018 and expressed his desire to prevent further deterioration of the classic Coronet. He was granted permission and the journey of restoration began, not just of a vintage boat, but of an era of maritime history that it represented.