Description

Presenting ‘John Kay’ a much loved and well kept Sealion 42 built by the renowned JGM Meakes who traded for nearly 100 years from their yard in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Founded in 1886 as Meakes & Redknap, and ending up as just J.G.Meakes Ltd. The company built a total of 9 Sealions in the 1960’s along with various other recreational pleasure craft.
The Sealion hulls were manufactured by Scheepswerf J.Hitters-Proost in Maren, the Netherlands. The Meakes yard built the teak/mahogany superstructure and arranged the internal fit out.

John Kay was no.3 of 9 and ordered by a gentleman in 1962 who worked in the fashion industry and named his motor yacht after himself. The vessel was commissioned in 1963 and many parties were had onboard as he entertained his clients.

The vessel is in nearly complete original and unmolested condition, including all the unique features as requested by the original owner when built. Fitted with an array of sophisticated systems to make long term cruising or pied-à-terre living aboard comfortable and convenient. John Kay is powered by the original pair of reliable Detroit 4-53 diesels which makes handling extremely easy. A very capable and comfortable vessel, at home on rivers, estuaries, crossing the channel and on the continental waterways.

Step aboard via the port or starboard sliding deck doors and enter the beamy, light and airy spacious Wheelhouse / Saloon. Twin Kent clear view screens and opening windows, The Helm position and seat is located to port with large wheel, throttle controls and the usual engine instrumentation. Located to starboard you will find the navigator’s seat. Equipped with a Compass, Echo Sounder, 2 x VHF radios, and Radar as well as an AIS receiver which can provide a feed to an appropriate plotter, Searchlight Control and Electric Air Compressor Horn, John Kay is ready for every kind of adventure on the inland waterways or at sea.

The electrical system onboard is 12v with main switches and separate 240v distribution circuit breakers and RCD. Two fire extinguishers and fire detector unit. There are three 240v sockets and two 12v sockets and two USB charging connections in the saloon. Mains and 12 LED lighting with red internal lights for night running.

The saloon consists of a large, comfortable L shaped sofa located to starboard with storage lockers below. The original saloon table is convertible to an occasional double bed with infill cushions. Opposite the sofa on the port side is an original built in cocktail cabinet with additional storage lockers. There is space above for a TV.
Two additional Director style chairs add to seating capacity around the table or can be used on the large fore deck for socialising. There is an image in the gallery detailing the entire inside layout.

The Eberspacher heating system keeps the vessel nice and cosy on cold days. The unit controller is located in the saloon and warm air outlets throughout.

An insurance survey report from 2018 is available. Later this summer the vessel will be lifted for below the waterline maintenance and a further hull survey will be carried out.

Wether you're after a comfortable and above all capable cruising vessel or a pied-à-terre ‘John Kay’ is certainly worth a look. Currently lying in Sunbury on Thames, Surrey. To arrange a viewing please get in touch. The owner is keen to sell and sensible offers on the asking price will be considered.

Specifications

Accommodation

Accommodation Layout

Forward cabin: with twin single bunks, one above the other to port. Vanity unit and mirror to starboard. Fire extinguisher. Warm air heating outlet and also fitted mains electric heater. 240v socket and USB charging connection. Mains and 12v LED lighting.

Forward toilet compartment: with wash basin, mirror, chemical toilet fitted and connections for sea toilet. 12v LED lighting.

Aft bathroom: located to starboard with wash basin, mirror, shower with auto waste water discharge pump and chemical toilet fitted and connections for sea toilet. 12v LED lighting. Warm air outlet.

Aft cabin: with twin large single bunks, capable of folding out to make compact doubles, with appropriate infill cushions. Dressing table, mirror and stool. Large double door hanging locker. Carbon monoxide and fire detectors fitted. Fire extinguisher. Mains and 12v LED lighting, Warm air heater outlet and portable mains electric heater.

Galley: with new Dometic CRX110 fridge, with ice box. 12v or 240v and fitted with MPS50 mains supply to auto switch from 12v when 240v mains is detected. Twin burner gas cooker with grill and oven. Gas water heater, sink, drainer and storage lockers with additional stowage in plastic bins beneath galley sole hatches. Carbon Monoxide detector fitted. Fire extinguisher and fire blanket. Two 240v sockets. Mains and 12v lighting.

Wheelhouse / Saloon: Helm position to port with wheel, throttle controls and engine instrumentation. Compass, echo sounder, vhf x 2, radar. Twin Kent clear view screens and opening windows, searchlight control, electric air compressor horn AIS receiver which can provide a feed to an appropriate plotter. Helm seat to port and navigator’s seat to starboard. Electrical 12v main switches and separate 240v distribution circuit breakers and RCD. Two fire extinguishers and fire detector unit. Three 240v sockets and two 12v sockets and two USB charging connections. Mains and 12 LED lighting with red internal lights for night running.

Saloon consists of a large L shaped sofa with storage lockers below located to starboard, with saloon table which is convertible to an occasional double bed with infill cushions. To starboard, a built in cocktail cabinet with additional storage lockers. Space above for TV. Two additional Director style chairs add to seating capacity around the table or can be used on the large fore deck for socialising. Eberspacher heater controller and warm air outlet.

Forward Cabin

Aft Shower / Toilet

Shower Detail

Aft Cabin at Stern

Aft Cabin looking forward

Starboard Berth

Port Berth

L Shaped Sofa in Saloon

Saloon Cocktail Cabinet& Storage

Wheel

Galley Fridge

Galley Cooker

Helm Instruments

Construction

John Kay's steel hull was produced by J.Hitters-Proost in Maren, the Netherlands. Meakes of Marlow added the teak/mahogany superstructure and internal fit out. The decks are teak laid on ply, laid on steel.

The foredeck is a large open teak deck ideal for socialising. The vessel is equipped with twin anchors and anchor winch (previously hydraulic but now manual only). Safety whilst on deck is provided by stainless steel stanchions capped with teak rail and port and starboard access gates.

The mast can be folded for low bridge navigation when on the inland waterways. Navigation lights and anchor light makes sure you are seen when operating at night. Also on deck is a deck light and mounted on the wheelhouse roof a large searchlight. The roof also houses the twin VHF aerials and separate AIS VHF aerial along with the Radar antenna.

On the aft deck you will find a large locker and rope stowage and separate gas bottle locker fitted with appropriate over side drain and bubble tester. Lifebuoy and rope. Ensign staff.
There is an original bathing platform and ladder mounted at the stern of the vessel and modern stainless steel davits (in classic style) with manual winches enabling you to store a tender aboard when the bathing platform is not in use.

Side Profile & Internal Lay Out

1960's Brochure image

Engine(s)

John Kay is powered by the original standard Detroit Diesel 4-53 engines which when fitted in 1963 were the latest in marine technology. Each engine produces around 136-140 horsepower (101-104 kW). These engines are two-cycle, in-line, four-cylinder diesels known for their durability and reliability. At 62 years old they run as reliable as ever and have just completed a month long cruise across the Channel and around Belgium & the Netherlands.

The Detroit Diesel 453 engine, first introduced in the year 1957, also known as 4-53 is a heavy-duty diesel engine that was designed to be used for multiple applications, including but not limited to -commercial, agricultural, and marine equipment. While the ‘4’ in the name represented the number of cylinders it featured, ‘53’ referred to the cubic-inch displacement per cylinder of the engine.

Access to the engine compartment is through the saloon sole hatch. There is mains lighting inside the engine room for maintenance. Both port and starboard engine have their own starter battery with isolator switches. Starter and domestic are 12v batteries with appropriate fuse box and battery charger for the entire system. The engine exhausts are complete with silencers. Also located in the engine compartment is the auto water pump for pressurised hot and cold system along with the Eberspacher heater unit. There is a low power 240v tube heater for winter protection.

There are four bilge pumps located throughout the hull in separated compartments.

Location Map