Steel Sapphire sailed away from Fox’s following an extensive refit. It’s been a pleasure to work alongside the owners on this much-loved Bill Dixon-designed steel cruising ketch, preparing her for the next chapter of her adventures.
Having originally sailed from Australia, Steel Sapphire arrived at Fox’s for a programme of work that brought together all our in-house specialist teams, drawing on a century of yacht repair and refit expertise.
Scope of Works Includes:
- Extensive welding modifications, including the addition of an elegant oval stainless cap rail and bespoke fairleads.
- Teak deck repairs to restore both aesthetics and durability.
- Detailed review and updates to the original steering pedestal and onboard instrumentation.
- Full repaint of the topsides and coach roof to refresh her exterior finish.
- Interior refinements including modifications and refinishing of original joinery and cabin soles.
- Complete de-rig ahead of rigging works and spar repainting.
Alongside the main refit, the team has also tackled some more unusual commissions (because no two refits are ever quite the same!):
- A beautifully handcrafted aluminium steering pedestal, fabricated by our stainless and metalwork specialists.
- And, somewhat unexpectedly… the careful restoration of a bathtub!
These bespoke elements highlight the craftsmanship and versatility our workshops are known for. The owners of Steel Sapphire were delighted with the outcome and said: “Fox’s delivered an outstanding refit of Steel Sapphire, with a consistently high standard of workmanship. A particular highlight was the remake of the mild steel & teak bulwarks in stainless steel, a complex undertaking executed exceptionally well that has transformed this part of the boat. What really sets Fox’s apart is their ability to bring so many different skills and services under one roof. Our refit used every service they offer and throughout, the team were friendly, approachable and genuinely helpful. I would have no hesitation in recommending Fox’s for high-quality workmanship, a broad range of expertise and a team that takes real pride in its work. Thank you to all at Fox’s for helping keep our 32-year-old boat looking good and ready to safely finish our circumnavigation back to Australia.”
We wish her fair winds as she heads north for further adventures before heading home to the Southern Hemisphere.
Follow her travels at www.sailingsteelsapphire.com.