I used to crew for John James from 1968 until '71. John always said that the Jason in service from the mid 50s (replacing the original wooden boat)was a Clayton gas tar tanker and originally had no name, just a number. We operated the pair of boats on most afternoon and weekend trips, the awnings cantilevered, and we only deployed them if it rained. At the end of the 68 or 69 season we took Jason to Braunston (Malcolm Braine's yard?) for refit and paint, stopping at Jack James's cottage at Stoke Bruerne overnight. Serpens had its first year in '68 I think and John was unhappy about some of the fit and finish.
PD
