Finding my old boat

[Bob Chamberlain]

Anyone on here the owner of a 30' centre cockpit narrow beam marine ply cruiser called Swallow?  Built in 1963 - only six of the type built by Allbutts (Derby).  Last known to be in the Nottingham area.  It's my first boat and I'd love to contact the present owners (assuming its still afloat!).

[merline]

As it was in the Nottingham area have you tried Redhills marina? Awful lot of dead and dying boats there, might be worth a look 

[Bob Chamberlain]

I used to moor it at Redhill but am pretty sure it left there a long time ago.  Nevertheless I might take a look when I'm up that way.  Thanks.

[alan_fincher]

I reckon that there can be very few cases where a boat built of marine ply has survived just shy of 40 years, if kept in water, even if painstakingly maintained.

 

My very strong hunch would be that it has not survived.

Do you know a BW boat index number for it?

[David Mack]

2 minutes ago, alan_fincher said:

I reckon that there can be very few cases where a boat built of marine ply has survived just shy of 40 years, if kept in water, even if painstakingly maintained.

 

My very strong hunch would be that it has not survived.

Do you know a BW boat index number for it?

Let alone just shy of 60 years!

[alan_fincher]

6 minutes ago, David Mack said:

Let alone just shy of 60 years!

Oops, although i further strengthens my argument.

 

There  are the remnants of one of the BWB "Water Miss" hire cruisers at Ellesmere Port.  Or at least there were.  Not something you could float any more!

[Stroudwater1]

9 hours ago, alan_fincher said:

I reckon that there can be very few cases where a boat built of marine ply has survived just shy of 40 years, if kept in water, even if painstakingly maintained.

 

My very strong hunch would be that it has not survived.

Do you know a BW boat index number for it?

 

Sadly agree, there are a few around, see the historic boat register, and there are a couple not on that that I have seen, one possibly a Dobsons boat on the N Oxford.  

 

https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/3605/tavy-cleave

 

https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/3601/jemima

 

I believe some early Dawncraft boats were wooden hulled and some of them may still be going. There are one or two Taylors boats too I believe still. I wonder if some are stored in barns or garages. 

 

[stagedamager]

18 hours ago, Stroudwater1 said:

 

Sadly agree, there are a few around, see the historic boat register, and there are a couple not on that that I have seen, one possibly a Dobsons boat on the N Oxford.  

 

https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/3605/tavy-cleave

 

https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/3601/jemima

 

I believe some early Dawncraft boats were wooden hulled and some of them may still be going. There are one or two Taylors boats too I believe still. I wonder if some are stored in barns or garages. 

 

A lovely pair of Holt Abbott cruisers, I think they may be the last two remaining?

[Stroudwater1]

2 hours ago, stagedamager said:

A lovely pair of Holt Abbott cruisers, I think they may be the last two remaining?

 

 

There is one more I know of, The idea of ones in sheds would be nice but probably unrealistic. One was at Saul junction in 2010 with tarpaulins over her, but isnt on the Canal Plan . 

 

Probably need to start a Holt Abbott boat thread in the historic section, his part in the inland waterways movement and survival of them is rather under appreciated.