Description

IERE is a great example of a 1929 Gentleman's Launch, Originally built as the private launch of the owner of Will's Cigarettes by David Hillyard. Built of 1" pitch pine on oak timber frames, copper clench fastened. Requisitioned by HM Government in 1939 served the Navy as part of the Medway Motorboat Patrol before being demobbed back to leisure use after the war. The boat underwent a professional rebuilt by RJ Prior & Son (Burnham) Ltd over a 15 year period starting 2004. We have found gun casings from when the Launch had a gun on the foredeck (she is reputed to have shot down a Junkers 88 during WWII on the river Medway).

The seams were raked out, several pitch pine planks were replaced in the bottom. The plank ends were refastened with silicon bronze screws and the through plank copper fastenings were hardened up. The planks were then hard splined in pitch pine and faired off before a number of the oak frames were repaired/replaced. The deadwoods were repaired with oak and the keel bolts renewed with silicon bronze. The iron ballast keel was blasted off and epoxy coated.

The stem was repaired and all the structural internal bulkheads replaced in BS1088 marine plywood. The planked deck was removed and scrapped; the deck beams were removed and cleaned up/replaced as required. After 5 years ashore, stripped back to bare wood the hull was filled with epoxy and then re-faired before sheathing with 2 layers of 610 gram bi-axial cloth in epoxy laminating resin. The deck was then replaced with two layer epoxied 12mm BS1088 marine plywood and a 15mm teak laid. The stripped interior of the hull was liberally coated with Cuprinol 5 star before repainting in Danboline.

New sole bearers and BS1088 ply soles were fitted. The topsides were repainted in 2 pack to a semi gloss level ready for final glossing on completion, as was the bottom in primer/undercoat. New bronze portholes were fitted and the deck hatches/lights rebuilt in teak. New oak engine beds were fitted and two new Vetus/Hyundai VH4.80 naturally aspirated 80 horse power diesel engines were installed completed with tubes, shafts and propellers (circa £20k) New wet exhaust systems were run with through transom outlets. The transom and top strake were teak veneered as depicted in Lonsdale Library of Motor Cruising volume XIX.

Two new 335 litre polyethylene fuel tanks were fitted giving a suggested range of 350nm at 8knts, before a new wheelhouse sole was fitted on new bearers. The wheelhouse was then rebuilt in teak to the highest of joinery standards. Whilst the boat has been rebuilt to the highest of "no expense spared" standards by one of our once most well respected boatyards, Carried out over the years as a retirement plan for the boatyard owner Mr Prior.

Construction The 1" pitch pine planking that is copper clenched to oak timber frames was stripped of all paint coatings inside and out , allowed to air dry for 5 years before hard splining and epoxy sheathing with 1220 gram of biaxial E-glass.

The composite structure of 25mm of epoxy saturated pitch pine and a near 3mm veneer of E-glass running diagonally across the wood grain/planking seams has created a monocoque hull structure of considerable strength. Add in the timber framing, floor frames and deck structure and would suggest that this vessel should easily last another 80 years (or considerably longer) in normal service.
Accommodation The original layout of the boat has been faithfully reproduced and tastefully modernised, with galley up forward in the f'csle (forward of the main bulkhead). The main saloon has bunk/seats to port and starboard (portside converts to a generous double bunk with bookcases behind and locker space below. The aft end of the saloon, against the engine room bulkhead has a heads/shower washroom to port (with new macerating electric toilet) and generous storage area to starboard.

The spacious wheelhouse also serves as a deck saloon. (Large Calorifier installed in one of the seats).
The owners cabin aft has both a double and Child single bunk/seat, hanging lockers to port and starboard and a newly fitted heads/shower washroom with new macerating electric toilet . The aft cockpit is a spacious outside secure space with recently made ‘Cuddy Cover’ seating for four adults.
Accommodation: she sleeps five in 2 separate areas (with an additional child bunk), with a Webasto warm air heating system throughout Gas cooker installed 2025 Gas safety certificate 2025 and LED lighting throughout. Navigation equipment includes Raymarine Chartplotter, VHF radio new 2025, and depth/speed/temperature instruments x 2 Period compasses.
Equipped with Electric windlass 2023 (used twice), CQR Anchor 150ft chain , window cover, Rear Cuddy cover, beaching legs, and a Tender with 3.5hp Mariner four-stroke engine (serviced 2025), she’s a capable and characterful cruiser with significant investment already made. She has recently returned to the River Severn after completing a round Lands End return from Falmouth.

Specifications

Accommodation

Accommodation The original layout of the boat has been faithfully reproduced and tastefully modernised, with galley up forward in the f'csle (forward of the main bulkhead). The main saloon has bunk/seats to port and starboard (portside converts to a generous double bunk with bookcases behind and locker space below. The aft end of the saloon, against the engine room bulkhead has a heads/shower washroom to port (with new macerating electric toilet) and generous storage area to starboard.

The spacious wheelhouse also serves as a deck saloon. (Large Calorifier installed in one of the seats).
The owners cabin aft has both a double and Child single bunk/seat, hanging lockers to port and starboard and a newly fitted heads/shower washroom with new macerating electric toilet . The aft cockpit is a spacious outside secure space with recently made ‘Cuddy Cover’ seating for four adults.
Accommodation: she sleeps five in 2 separate areas (with an additional child bunk), with a Webasto warm air heating system throughout Gas cooker installed 2025 Gas safety certificate 2025 and LED lighting throughout.

Construction

Built of 1" pitch pine on oak timber frames, copper clench fastened. Requisitioned by HM Government in 1939 served the Navy as part of the Medway Motorboat Patrol before being demobbed back to leisure use after the war. The boat underwent a professional rebuilt by RJ Prior & Son (Burnham) Ltd over a 15 year period starting 2004. We have found gun casing from when the Launch had a gun on the fordeck (she is reputed to have shot down a Junkers 88 during WWII on the river Medway).

The seams were raked out, several pitch pine planks were replaced in the bottom. The plank ends were refastened with silicon bronze screws and the through plank copper fastenings were hardened up. The planks were then hard splined in pitch pine and faired off before a number of the oak frames were repaired/replaced. The deadwoods were repaired with oak and the keel bolts renewed with silicon bronze. The iron ballast keel was blasted off and epoxy coated.

The stem was repaired and all the structural internal bulkheads replaced in BS1088 marine plywood. The planked deck was removed and scrapped; the deck beams were removed and cleaned up/replaced as required. After 5 years ashore, stripped back to bare wood the hull was filled with epoxy and then re-faired before sheathing with 2 layers of 610 gram bi-axial cloth in epoxy laminating resin. The deck was then replaced with two layer epoxied 12mm BS1088 marine plywood and a 15mm teak laid. The stripped interior of the hull was liberally coated with Cuprinol 5 star before repainting in Danboline.

New sole bearers and BS1088 ply soles were fitted. The topsides were repainted in 2 pack to a semi gloss level ready for final glossing on completion, as was the bottom in primer/undercoat. New bronze portholes were fitted and the deck hatches/lights rebuilt in teak. New oak engine beds were fitted and two new Vetus/Hyundai VH4.80 naturally aspirated 80 horse power diesel engines were installed completed with tubes, shafts and propellers (circa £20k) New wet exhaust systems were run with through transom outlets. The transom and top strake were teak veneered as depicted in Lonsdale Library of Motor Cruising volume XIX.

Two new 335 litre polyethylene fuel tanks were fitted giving a suggested range of 350nm at 8knts, before a new wheelhouse sole was fitted on new bearers. The wheelhouse was then rebuilt in teak to the highest of joinery standards. Whilst the boat has been rebuilt to the highest of "no expense spared" standards by one of our once most well respected boatyards, Carried out over the years as a retirement plan for the boatyard owner Mr Prior.

Equipment

LED cabin and head lights
Cast iron ballast keel
One ton the original internal iron pigs (all individually sealed)
Hydraulic wheel steering replaced new 2021
New ‘P’ Brackets 2022
New Rudder and shaft 2021

Electrics:
Solar Battery charging on Cabin roof
X3 12v batteries New 2020
Charging from engine alternator
LED cabin & heads lights
New Canvas Rear Cockpit cover and Front window covers
Beaching legs, Various warps & fenders
Ships clock & barometer
Everything onboard including all electrics basically has been renewed since 2020
(the Electrical installation was carried out by Sealine boats chief electrical engineer…)

Navigation Equipment

Navigation Aids: Charts from Anglesey to Poole
Steering compass
New VHF radio
Raymarine C120 Chart plotter

Engine(s)

2 Engine model: Vetus/Hyundai VH4.80
Engine power: 160 Fuel type: Diesel Drive type: Shaft drive Max. Output at flywheel (ISO 3046-1) - 59 kW (80.3 hp) *Max. Output at propeller shaft (ISO 3046-1) - 57.2 kW (77.6 hp) Maximum rpm - 4000 Bore x stroke 91.1 mm x 100 mm Displacement 2607 cm3
Number of cylinders 4 in line Combustion system indirect injection Compression ratio 22:1 Firing order 1-3-4-2 Intake Naturally aspirated Electrical system 12 Volt - 115 Amps. Cooling system (standard) indirect cooling (keel cooling optional) Gearbox (standard) TM345(A) Ratio 2 / 2.47:1 Gearbox - ZF25 - 1.97 Dry weight (incl. std. Gearbox) 245 kg Fuel consumption at 2500 rpm 260 g / kW.h (190 g / hp.h) Max.

Torque 170 Nm / 2.200 rpm Max. Backwards installation angle 15° Max. Lateral inclination angle; Continuously 25° - 5 minutes max. 30° Suction height of fuel lift pump 1.5 m Calorifier connection kit optional Instrument panel (standard) MPA22KBS2 / BS25 Warning lights and audible alarm oil pressure, temperature (coolant and exhaust), charging current Control light for pre-heating Electric circuit protection fuse 10 Amps. Certifications - EU-RCDI, RCDII pending All giving a suggested cruising range of 350 nautical miles at 8 knots.

Sails & Spars

The Launch originally was Ketch Rigged, All the Spars are with the boat along with a collection of fittings,
Turnbuckles, gaff saddles etc.

Safety Equipment

Safety Equipment:
All Safety equipment listed is included in the sale, but the vendor offers no warranties.
3 New Fire Extinguishers
2 New Carbon Monixide sensors, Lifebuoy
X2 Electric bilge pumps new 2021
New LED Tricolour/anchor light

Location Map