Who built our boat? Listed as a Rugby boat

[SFen]

Our boat is listed as a 1989 Rugby boat. However, as far as I understand they didn't build boats, just fitted them. How do we find out who our boat was built by? 

I know that they way certain features are built/shaped point to who made them, e.g. our first boat was a Springer, so it had a 'moustache' on the bow, obvious weld lines, wide gunwales and a square stern.

I just don't know where to start with are current boat to figure out where she is from. 

Any clues to who build for Rugby boats at that time, and what 'quirks' to look for would be great.

[Tony Brooks]

Our 1991 Rugby boat was built by Colecraft, but it was built for Viking Afloat so they may have specified the hull builder

[Tonka]

29 minutes ago, SFen said:

Our boat is listed as a 1989 Rugby boat. However, as far as I understand they didn't build boats, just fitted them. How do we find out who our boat was built by? 

I know that they way certain features are built/shaped point to who made them, e.g. our first boat was a Springer, so it had a 'moustache' on the bow, obvious weld lines, wide gunwales and a square stern.

I just don't know where to start with are current boat to figure out where she is from. 

Any clues to who build for Rugby boats at that time, and what 'quirks' to look for would be great.

Has it a metal cabin or wood

[SFen]

It has a metal cabin

30 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

Our 1991 Rugby boat was built by Colecraft, but it was built for Viking Afloat so they may have specified the hull builder

Oh, interesting. So that opens up even even more questions.

I had imagined Rugby Boats were a hire company that procured boats for their own fleet, and fitted them themselves, but from what you're saying perhaps that's not quite right? I'm really interested to understand who Rugby Boats are/were, as I haven't got that clear in my mind.

 

21 minutes ago, Tonka said:

Has it a metal cabin or wood

It has a metal cabin

 

[Richard T]

Our 1998 boat was built by Colecraft for Rugby Boatbuilders. Features are increased tumblehome to the front of the cabin - many boats are just straight, an elliptical stern, distinctive bows. If you have any side doors the roses and castles if original are probably by Ron Hough. If you post some pictures of your boat it would help. Here are a couple of ours which may help you.

[Tony Brooks]

Our front cabin also curves inwards to match the hull, but as we had a very small well deck I assumed that is why and that it was Viking Afloat spec to maximise cabin space, but maybe it's a Colecraft feature.

 

There is a small marina with some sheds just before the railway bridges running into Hillmorton. That is where Rugby Boat Builders were.

Edited June 2, 2024 by Tony Brooks

[David Mutch]

Hi. Here's some photos of the boat in question (also my boat - am @SFen's lesser half). Nice to know where Rugby Boats were (we were in Hillmorton not so long ago), but what we're not clear on is what Rugby Boat Builders were. A hire company? A boat fitter? A number of people have told us that Colecraft built hulls for them, and have suggested that ours might be built by Colecraft. But that just makes the name 'Rugby Boat Builders' a little mysterious, as it seems the one thing they didn't do was build boats! We're also not sure how to identify one. Although lots of people have asked if we're a Colecraft, I can't see a lot of similarities with other Colecraft that have been identified to us, and some Colecraft owners we've spoken to swear blind that ours isn't a Colecraft. We did meet one boat that was the spitting image of ours, and were told that it was built by 'Stephen Goldsborough'. I can only assume that there is a connection between this boat builder and Colecraft/Rugby Boats. Any more details on the history and identifying features would be greatly appreciated 🙂

[nicknorman]

My mate had 2 boats built in Rugby ( or Hillmorton anyway). One in around 1974, built by Colin Payne as a sailaway. It had a wooden top, 47’ trad stern with lister 3 pot air cooled engine.

 

The other was I think fitted out in Rugby by Barry Smith (I think?) but the hull was Evans, completed around 1990.

 

Maybe if the OP posted some photos of their boat, people might recognise the maker?

Edited June 2, 2024 by nicknorman

[David Mutch]

3 minutes ago, nicknorman said:

My mate had 2 boats built in Rugby ( or Hillmorton anyway). One in around 1974, built by Colin Payne as a sailaway. It had a wooden top, 47’ trad stern with lister 3 pot air cooled engine.

 

The other was I think fitted out in Rugby by Barry Smith (I think?) but the hull was Evans, completed around 1990.

 

Maybe if the OP posted some photos of their boat, people might recognise the maker?

Thanks @nicknorman. May have cross-posted there. Please see link in my post above for some photos of the boat in question 🙂

[David Mack]

14 minutes ago, David Mutch said:

We did meet one boat that was the spitting image of ours, and were told that it was built by 'Stephen Goldsborough'.

Pretty sure Stephen Goldsborough only fitted out other people's shells.

[nicknorman]

4 minutes ago, David Mutch said:

Thanks @nicknorman. May have cross-posted there. Please see link in my post above for some photos of the boat in question 🙂

Ah yes, missed the link, sorry.

[MtB]

From the link:

 

[David Mutch]

3 minutes ago, David Mack said:

Pretty sure Stephen Goldsborough only fitted out other people's shells.

I suspect you're right there. I'm wondering if Colecraft may have built some of those shells?! Would there be any identifying marks of the builder? I've never spotted anything, but some kind of maker's mark hidden in some nook of the engine bay, perhaps? 🙂

[MtB]

 

 

Doesn't look one bit like a Colecraft shell to me.

 

Unless they built them differently specifically for Rugby Boats.

[David Mutch]

Just now, MtB said:

From the link:

 

Thanks. I was having trouble uploading, so the link was easier. Can provide more pictures if necessary! 🙂

[SFen]

4 minutes ago, MtB said:

 

 

Doesn't look one bit like a Colecraft shell to me.

 

Unless they built them differently specifically for Rugby Boats.

Yeah, fair enough. I am not saying it is, but other people have again so.

I would love to know what you look for to say if a boat is, or isn't, a colecraft. Or any other marker for that fact. 

As I said in my original post, I know hoe to spot a Springer (they are pretty easy to be fair), but past that, I would live to learn how to spot other boat builders traits too. Any hints and tips greatly appreciated 

Edited June 2, 2024 by SFen

[MtB]

Here's a '95 Colecraft boat advertised on the Duck:

 

Notice the subtle cabin rise at the front, and the less pronounced upsweep at the deck beam and the prow? 

 

[David Mutch]

1 minute ago, MtB said:

 

 

Doesn't look one bit like a Colecraft shell to me.

 

Unless they built them differently specifically for Rugby Boats.

The problem seems to be that we've met roughly equal numbers of folk who swear blind she is and who swear blind she isn't a Colecraft. It may be that she was built to a special design, as you say. We don't really mind who built her, but we'd like to know. Saying that, though, nobody has ever suggested anything other than Colecraft; just that she isn't a Colecraft! 🙂

[MtB]

2 minutes ago, David Mutch said:

The problem seems to be that we've met roughly equal numbers of folk who swear blind she is and who swear blind she isn't a Colecraft. It may be that she was built to a special design, as you say. We don't really mind who built her, but we'd like to know. Saying that, though, nobody has ever suggested anything other than Colecraft; just that she isn't a Colecraft! 🙂

 

 

I think I recognise that unusually accentuated deck beam and the steep upsweep to it. I just can't think who it was used the build in that style! 

[SFen]

That does seem to be her really defining feature. That and the side door onto the front deck

[David Mutch]

4 minutes ago, MtB said:

 

 

I think I recognise that unusually accentuated deck beam and the steep upsweep to it. I just can't think who it was used the build in that style! 

Yes, the upsweep at the front is very distinctive. The most similar boats we're seeing a lot at the moment of are Liverpool Boats, but that may just be a function of where we are in the world at present! The very narrow rear deck seems unlike most boats we see around too.

[MtB]

4 minutes ago, David Mutch said:

Yes, the upsweep at the front is very distinctive. The most similar boats we're seeing a lot at the moment of are Liverpool Boats, but that may just be a function of where we are in the world at present! The very narrow rear deck seems unlike most boats we see around too.

 

 

Kepp your eyes open, sooner or later you'll encounter another boat with a matching deck beam to yours. I've seen several over the years. When you spot one, the owner(s) will probably be delighted to discuss shell builders with you as owner of another the same! 

 

 

[David Mutch]

1 minute ago, MtB said:

 

 

Kepp your eyes open, sooner or later you'll encounter another boat with a matching deck beam to yours. I've seen several over the years. When you spot one, the owner(s) will probably be delighted to discuss shell builders with you as owner of another the same! 

 

 

Thanks. We are, but as I say, the only one we've seen exactly the same the owner just said it was 'Stephen Goldsborough', and it seems likely they were no more a boat builder than were Rugby Boat Builders! But as you say, sooner or later we'll find another 🙂

[Richard T]

40 minutes ago, David Mutch said:

Hi. Here's some photos of the boat in question (also my boat - am @SFen's lesser half). Nice to know where Rugby Boats were (we were in Hillmorton not so long ago), but what we're not clear on is what Rugby Boat Builders were. A hire company? A boat fitter? A number of people have told us that Colecraft built hulls for them, and have suggested that ours might be built by Colecraft. But that just makes the name 'Rugby Boat Builders' a little mysterious, as it seems the one thing they didn't do was build boats! We're also not sure how to identify one. Although lots of people have asked if we're a Colecraft, I can't see a lot of similarities with other Colecraft that have been identified to us, and some Colecraft owners we've spoken to swear blind that ours isn't a Colecraft. We did meet one boat that was the spitting image of ours, and were told that it was built by 'Stephen Goldsborough'. I can only assume that there is a connection between this boat builder and Colecraft/Rugby Boats. Any more details on the history and identifying features would be greatly appreciated 🙂

I'm afraid that your boat has no features that resemble our 1988 Rugby Boatbuilders/ Colecraft. Ours has a dated brass plaque located on the front bulkhead under the roof overhang stating that it was built by Rugby Boatbuilders. They built quite a few boats according to the boat register on CanalPlan.

[Stroudwater1]

Yes, Rugby boatbuilders Im pretty sure made their own boats at one time. Speedwell is an example from 1971. Currently for sale at Braunston. The advert specifies made by Rugby boatbuilders for Union canal carriers. 
My Uncle had one built by them in 1977, I believe it’s still about. Here is the advert a while back 

https://www.mkmarina.co.uk/used-boats/details/1105.aspx

I don’t know any more I’m afraid. However they did advertise in early editions of Waterways world and were one of the earlier builders.