Another one bites the dust!

[Canal Shop Man]

It seems that Stowe Hill Marine have ceased trading. Another builder of quality boats gone . . .

[O'Mali]

They will be back under a new name no doubt.

[Chertsey]

There will surely now be a surplus of washers on the market.

[mrsmelly]

It seems that Stowe Hill Marine have ceased trading. Another builder of quality boats gone . . .

 

Make a good Hire fleet base

Edited July 3, 2009 by mrsmelly

[carlt]

There will surely now be a surplus of washers on the market.

Apparently Isopon shares have plummeted.

[O'Mali]

Apparently Isopon shares have plummeted.

Yes but I am attempting to do all kinds of strctural steel work on my boat so they will soon be back to the value they should be...High!

[alan_fincher]

Possibly they ran out of blind people wanting to buy boats ?

 

Sorry, I can't say that, can I ?

[sociable_hermit]

I've seen some really nice Stowe Hill boats. Not all of them look as though the bows have been squashed like Michael Jackson's nose, though admittedly quite a few do. It seems to be related to when they were built. The strange bow shape seems to have grown more pronounced over the last couple of years.

 

That won't have helped Reeves, who made the shells and have already downsized.

[mrsmelly]

I've seen some really nice Stowe Hill boats. Not all of them look as though the bows have been squashed like Michael Jackson's nose, though admittedly quite a few do. It seems to be related to when they were built. The strange bow shape seems to have grown more pronounced over the last couple of years.

 

That won't have helped Reeves, who made the shells and have already downsized.

 

If I recall Stowe hill used to be proper boatbuilders fabricating their own shells and doing the whole thing much like Steve Hudson but of later years downgraded their selves to boat fitters by buying their shells in from the Reeves stable..............

[Albion]

If I recall Stowe hill used to be proper boatbuilders fabricating their own shells and doing the whole thing much like Steve Hudson but of later years downgraded their selves to boat fitters by buying their shells in from the Reeves stable..............

 

At one stage, many years ago, they were so upmarket that you could only look over their boats at shows if you made an appointment and they judged you to be a serious buyer.

Roger

[carlt]

At one stage, many years ago, they were so upmarket that you could only look over their boats at shows if you made an appointment and they judged you to be a serious buyer.

Roger

They had some pretty original designs that strayed from the usual clonecraft formula.

[Lady Muck]

I liked the tugs I saw outside of there very much, but as for their Joshers - we walked past their boatyard a few times when moored nearby in May. Those bows...they look very odd indeed.

[alan_fincher]

So out of interest were all the recent hulls with progressively peculiarly squashed bows actually Reeves built ?

 

I thought at one stage their selling pitch was that they built it and fitted the whole boat from beginning to end.

 

I certainly agree they were different. I can't argue with that - very "unusual", but definitely different!

 

EDIT:

 

As usual in these cases they still seem to have functioning web pages. For anybody interested here's a sample of a Stowe Hill boat....

 

Edited July 4, 2009 by alan_fincher

[Martin Kedian]

So out of interest were all the recent hulls with progressively peculiarly squashed bows actually Reeves built ?

 

I thought at one stage their selling pitch was that they built it and fitted the whole boat from beginning to end.

 

I certainly agree they were different. I can't argue with that - very "unusual", but definitely different!

 

EDIT:

 

As usual in these cases they still seem to have functioning web pages. For anybody interested here's a sample of a Stowe Hill boat....

 

Reeves built the smart car type fronts and shells for the last three years or so

[Dominic M]

Stowe Hill Marine has ceased boat building but not gone into administration.

 

I have taken on part of the premises as of August 1st but the dry dock and workshop is to be operated by the two former employees of Stowe Hill Marine separately.

 

My brokerage will move there between August 1st and September 30th permanently and I will also reinstate the diesel sales, pump out and gas that has been out of use for some years. I will NOT be building boats .

 

For the historians, Stowe Hill built boats from the very early 1980s under Pete Hill - a brilliant woodworker. The shells were constructed by Les (can't think of last name) who now runs the dry dock at Welford, on the GU Leicester Line. Sometime at the end of the 1990s shell production was outsourced to Graham Reeves. In 2003 Pete Hill sold the business on.

 

There is a marked difference between the sheels produced by Stowe Hill and those by Reeves. You either like them or you don't. Many loved the way the hull sat low in the water; others found the high cabin sides disproportionate. Whatever, for many years they enjoyed a good reputation and were much sought after. Sadly in the current climate they are no more.

 

I am really looking forward to bringing the site back to life - it is a great location and a beautiful setting. I have outgrown my current base and this, after many months searching, is as ideal a place as I have found.

 

And yes, I will retail diesel according to boat owners' declaration.

[O'Mali]

Stowe Hill Marine has ceased boat building but not gone into administration.

 

I have taken on part of the premises as of August 1st but the dry dock and workshop is to be operated by the two former employees of Stowe Hill Marine separately.

 

My brokerage will move there between August 1st and September 30th permanently and I will also reinstate the diesel sales, pump out and gas that has been out of use for some years. I will NOT be building boats .

 

For the historians, Stowe Hill built boats from the very early 1980s under Pete Hill - a brilliant woodworker. The shells were constructed by Les (can't think of last name) who now runs the dry dock at Welford, on the GU Leicester Line. Sometime at the end of the 1990s shell production was outsourced to Graham Reeves. In 2003 Pete Hill sold the business on.

 

There is a marked difference between the sheels produced by Stowe Hill and those by Reeves. You either like them or you don't. Many loved the way the hull sat low in the water; others found the high cabin sides disproportionate. Whatever, for many years they enjoyed a good reputation and were much sought after. Sadly in the current climate they are no more.

 

I am really looking forward to bringing the site back to life - it is a great location and a beautiful setting. I have outgrown my current base and this, after many months searching, is as ideal a place as I have found.

 

And yes, I will retail diesel according to boat owners' declaration.

Good on ya.

Dispite what others say about you , you seem like a jolly good bloke.

[Nightwatch]

Is Stowe Hill Wharf on the GU? Near Weedon? Just after the Main Road Bridge on the right going south?

 

I'm so nosy ain't I?

 

Martyn

[tony collins]

I have taken on part of the premises as of August 1st but the dry dock and workshop is to be operated by the two former employees of Stowe Hill Marine separately.

 

My brokerage will move there between August 1st and September 30th permanently and I will also reinstate the diesel sales, pump out and gas that has been out of use for some years. I will NOT be building boats .

 

Does that it's goodbye to Rugby Dominic? Change of name perhaps? Good idea or not?

 

 

BTW Not all the early Stowe shells had been thought through. I looked at one many years ago that was on brokerage at Whilton, the rear cabin had a lovely upsweep, but they forgot to put a roof drain in the right place so when it rained two big puddles developed and took ages to evaporate away. Consequently, two big rusty patches on the roof.

 

Tony.

[alan_fincher]

I have taken on part of the premises as of August 1st but the dry dock and workshop is to be operated by the two former employees of Stowe Hill Marine separately.

 

My brokerage will move there between August 1st and September 30th permanently and I will also reinstate the diesel sales, pump out and gas that has been out of use for some years. I will NOT be building boats .

Congratulations Dominic.

 

I'm actually sorry to see any builder or boatfitter go down, but have to say that if that particular bow shape stops being proliferated, I for one, will not be sorry.

 

Personally I thought they were some of the ugliest narrow boats built, but they seem to think they ad a winning formula, as they seemed to choose to actually exaggerate the "Jacko's nose" thing as time went on.

 

But then I also think that the bows of one of the other most eulogised builders are fairly dire too, so my views are clearly out of line with quite a few forum members, I'll admit.

 

Good luck with the new venture.

 

It would be nice to see you selling diesel at a fairer price than some of the outlets up that way, that seem prepared to take the p*ss because presumably there is not too much competition.

 

It's a cracking location, as you say, and I wish you well.

 

Alan

[churchward]

Stowe Hill Marine has ceased boat building but not gone into administration.

 

I have taken on part of the premises as of August 1st but the dry dock and workshop is to be operated by the two former employees of Stowe Hill Marine separately.

 

My brokerage will move there between August 1st and September 30th permanently and I will also reinstate the diesel sales, pump out and gas that has been out of use for some years. I will NOT be building boats .

 

For the historians, Stowe Hill built boats from the very early 1980s under Pete Hill - a brilliant woodworker. The shells were constructed by Les (can't think of last name) who now runs the dry dock at Welford, on the GU Leicester Line. Sometime at the end of the 1990s shell production was outsourced to Graham Reeves. In 2003 Pete Hill sold the business on.

 

There is a marked difference between the sheels produced by Stowe Hill and those by Reeves. You either like them or you don't. Many loved the way the hull sat low in the water; others found the high cabin sides disproportionate. Whatever, for many years they enjoyed a good reputation and were much sought after. Sadly in the current climate they are no more.

 

I am really looking forward to bringing the site back to life - it is a great location and a beautiful setting. I have outgrown my current base and this, after many months searching, is as ideal a place as I have found.

 

And yes, I will retail diesel according to boat owners' declaration.

The very best of luck to you too.

 

It does seem a very good location and another fuel outlet that way will be welcome as well.

[NB Willawaw]

Cruised by there recently.

 

Good luck with the venture, Dominic.

 

 

 

 

Stowe Hill Marine has ceased boat building but not gone into administration.

 

I have taken on part of the premises as of August 1st but the dry dock and workshop is to be operated by the two former employees of Stowe Hill Marine separately.

 

My brokerage will move there between August 1st and September 30th permanently and I will also reinstate the diesel sales, pump out and gas that has been out of use for some years. I will NOT be building boats .

 

For the historians, Stowe Hill built boats from the very early 1980s under Pete Hill - a brilliant woodworker. The shells were constructed by Les (can't think of last name) who now runs the dry dock at Welford, on the GU Leicester Line. Sometime at the end of the 1990s shell production was outsourced to Graham Reeves. In 2003 Pete Hill sold the business on.

 

There is a marked difference between the sheels produced by Stowe Hill and those by Reeves. You either like them or you don't. Many loved the way the hull sat low in the water; others found the high cabin sides disproportionate. Whatever, for many years they enjoyed a good reputation and were much sought after. Sadly in the current climate they are no more.

 

I am really looking forward to bringing the site back to life - it is a great location and a beautiful setting. I have outgrown my current base and this, after many months searching, is as ideal a place as I have found.

 

And yes, I will retail diesel according to boat owners' declaration.

[Albion]

I'm actually sorry to see any builder or boatfitter go down, but have to say that if that particular bow shape stops being proliferated, I for one, will not be sorry.

 

Agreed. It looked like someone had squeezed a lump of plasticene. To imply that it was a Josher style was an insult IMO

 

But then I also think that the bows of one of the other most eulogised builders are fairly dire too, so my views are clearly out of line with quite a few forum members, I'll admit.

 

You shouldn't be So Horrible

 

Roger

[Chertsey]

But then I also think that the bows of one of the other most eulogised builders are fairly dire too, so my views are clearly out of line with quite a few forum members, I'll admit.

Very similar, to my eye.

[Dominic M]

Thanks for the encouragement folks.

 

In answer to Tony Collins' questions, I won't be changing the name from Rugby Boat Sales, and as to whether it's a good idea - well, sitting high up in the garden of the Narrow Boat supping a pint of Bombardier overlooking the site with fine views across the Northamptonshire Heights certainly made it feel like a good idea.

[NB Willawaw]

Don't forget the webcam