Carvel construction in Oregon pine and Mahogany
I was lucky enough to see Neptune on her visit to the Thames in 2019 for the Traditional Boat Festival. What an elegant and unusual sight. I am therefore delighted to be able to act as broker for the vendor who has relocated across the channel in France. In fact Neptune was sourced from a yard down on Cap Ferret which by chance I had visited about ten years ago when I had been viewing boats in that area and had purchased a couple of Bahama boats from the Ile de Re. The broker there had a couple of sheds stuffed with interesting boats in various states of repair. The owner of Neptune was equally seduced and made an offer for his boat which he then repatriated and entrusted to the care of master boatbuilder Alastair Garland. For any future owner there is a complete list of all the work which was carried out to bring the boat up to the excellent standard which Alastair has since maintained following the intial refurbishment between 2013 and 2017.
Neptune is of a typical design used around the many Baltic Islands off the Swedish coast and around the archipelago. One thinks of Swedish summerhouses on scattered islands accessible only by motorboat.
The design is attributed to the renowned naval architect Carl Gustav Pettersson, but the actual build yard and early Swedish history is not known.
At some point she has been converted to V drive and the engine moved aft and in the 1990’s the boat was being used as a “live aboard” by a Swedish family prior to being purchased by a French classic boat enthusiast and collector in 1997.
An acknowledged expert in wooden vessels and at one time owner of a small maritime museum, the new French owner imported the boat to France under the name“Michigan” for use in the Bay of Arcachon near Bordeaux. Here an initial restoration was undertaken with a change of name to “Neptune”. She became a well known sight in the bay inspiring an article in the well known national boating magazine, “Yachting Classique”.
In 2009/10 and in preparation for an eventual sale, further work, including a change of engine, had been commenced when the current English owner acquired the boat.
At this time and unsurprisingly it was found that Neptune required much more work than originally envisaged. As a result the decision was made to place her in the hands of a recognized UK boat restorer – Alastair Garland Restorations.
Over a three year period Alastair carried out an in depth restoration of both the hull and machinery. The boat was first re-launched for preliminary trials on the Solent and in Poole harbour in 2016. After some more fettling in 2017 Neptune was transported by trailer to the Thames for her first full season where she later participated in the 2018 Thames Traditional Boat Festival.
“Neptune” retains her French registration papers but an initial approach to the MCA has been made to register the boat in the UK and it is at their request the name has been changed to “Neptunes Favour”. Depending on where a new owner decides to use the boat s/he could elect to use either name. Clearly at 2325 kgs with the right vehicle the boat could be trailered to different waterways.
Summary of works carried out between Oct 2013 to June 2017
Hull
Removal of old paint from bottom.
Replace stern knee
Replacement of broken ribs.
Remove and re-bed skin fittings
Making good or new planking and caulking where required in bottom.
Prime and repaint bottom inc anti-fouling
Renewed rudder and tube.
Remove hydraulic steering unit and replace with cable & pulley system
Topsides
Repair, sand, re-caulk and paint or varnish decks and coach-roof
Engine, Ancillaries & Transmission
Removal and refit Engine and mountings.
Fit new fuel tank and system.
Fit new fresh water cooling system.
Fit new exhaust system.
Restore and refit throttle and gear change controls
Remove, restore and refit stern tube, new A bracket, tail bearing and prop-shaft coupling.
Remove, repair & refit V drive transmission unit.
Remove repair gearbox and couplings and bearings
Cockpit & Cabin
Remove and re-bed cabin windows
Fit all new floor-bearers in cockpit and cabin
Clean up and repaint bilges
Make up, varnish and fit new cabin & cockpit floorboards
Commission and install Cockpit Spray Hood and Boat Cover
Install sound proof insulation and partitions to engine bay
.
Fitting Out
Miscellaneous fixtures & fittings
Check all electrics and renew as required.
Renew bearers, secure batteries & fit battery charger
Gas fittings to comply with SBSS.
Install built in fire extinguisher system in engine bay.
Sea trials
BSS certificate issued July 2016 / First sea trials August 2016
Viewing at Beale Park boat store by appointment