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March 2019 Boating News

Gillian Nahum
March 28, 2019

It’s been another busy month at the yard as the relaunch planning comes into sharp focus. We have been doing some viewings too so expect new boats to appear on the brokerage website very soon including an attractive Andrews Day launch. However it hasn’t been all work and no play as you will read below.

Culture and gastronomy in Bordeaux

Steve and I were fortunate enough to enjoy a couple of days in Bordeaux this month when we went to visit the Saviboat headquarters near Cognac. Steve came along as my technical advisor and chief navigator (plus I needed someone to compare wine tasting notes with!).

The Banks of the Dordogne by day and at sunset
The Banks of the Dordogne by day and at sunset

With Bordeaux being situated so close to the Atlantic coast and at the confluence of the rivers Dordogne and Garonne, it would not have been proper to visit one of the world’s most famous wine growing regions without tasting some of the local produce! Indeed our hosts from Saviboat took us for lunch to the local rowing club watering hole on the river Charente, which is a 5 min drive from the centre of Cognac. 

The local pub "Club d'Aviron"
The local pub "Club d'Aviron"

I was driving so restricted myself to the house aperitif, which consisted of a shot of Cognac, some lemonade, fresh ginger and a few strips of cucumber on the rocks. Steve tasted the local Pineau des Charentes, which was a first for him, too. He washed it down with a couple of glasses of the local red wine, while I watched on enviously.

The arms of the city of Bordeaux under English rule (left) - The death of John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury at the battle of Castillon 1453 (right) ending English rule
The arms of the city of Bordeaux under English rule (left) - The death of John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury at the battle of Castillon 1453 (right) ending English rule

The British have a long and complicated history with Bordeaux starting with the fact that the city belonged to England for 300 years from 1154. During that period its extensive trade made it a major economic and cultural centre. However it was not the English who introduced wine growing to the region, but the Romans, at which time the city was known as Burdigala.

What is left of the Italian Royal Navy submarine base in Bordeaux.
What is left of the Italian Royal Navy submarine base in Bordeaux.

Centuries later this proud city became better known as a major submarine base for assaults on the Atlantic shipping routes. The submarine base is a monolithic structure that still has the power to impress (and depress) even today. 

After the fall of France during WWII the Italian Royal Navy established a submarine base at Bordeaux within the German occupation zone. The base could house up to 13 submarines and it had 2 basins connected by locks, as well as dry locks, all of which are visible today.

A rendering of what the Bordeaux Musée Mer Marine will look like when the renovations are completed.
A rendering of what the Bordeaux Musée Mer Marine will look like when the renovations are completed.

While it looks well nigh impossible to demolish the submarine base, there is an inordinate amount of building going on in this area including the imposing new Musée Mer Marine. The museum wasn’t open during our visit and the official re-opening of their permanent collection is planned for summer 2019.

Fancy a night on board?

A club restaurant in Bordeaux's Bassins à Flot.
A club restaurant in Bordeaux's Bassins à Flot.

There is no more submarine activity (thank goodness) in Bordeaux’s Bassins à Flot. Now it’s home to a few large houseboats which seem to be semi permanent. Some are clearly residential, others house clubs and cafes.

A Viking cruise ship being painted.
A Viking cruise ship being painted.

I also spotted in one corner a 135m Viking cruise ship undergoing a pre-season paint touch-up job, all done by a couple of guys in a rowing boat. Reading the Viking website it looks like the Bordeaux offering is really just a floating hotel with outings to vineyards and wine tastings etc. 

If you like the idea of a boat but you don’t want to risk sea sickness, or in fact to go anywhere in particular, but you just want to eat and sleep on a boat, then you could take the train to Edinburgh to stay for a few nights on the vintage super yacht “Fingal”.

"Fingal" - A luxury floating hotel in Edinburgh
"Fingal" - A luxury floating hotel in Edinburgh

She is 72m long and crammed full of iroko and sycamore. Her 4-year refit cost 5 million pounds, and she is now simply acting as a hotel back in Scotland where she was built in 1963 by the long-gone, but once hallowed, Blythswood shipbuilding company. Her original role was to act as a ferry supplying lighthouses up and down the west coast of Great Britain. In 2014 she was bought by a heritage charity that also manages the royal yacht “Britannia”. 

So if your preferred tipple is Whisky, rather than a venerable Bordeaux, you might consider the night train up north.

New arrivals & deliveries

Derby 4.9 ready for delivery (left) - Derby 4.3 in the making (right)
Derby 4.9 ready for delivery (left) - Derby 4.3 in the making (right)

While at the Saviboat factory I bought a Derby 4.9 which is an electric boat licensed to carry 11 passengers (including a wheelchair), but frankly in my opinion it would be much better suited for 8 passengers as a private boat. We are expecting 3 Saviboats to arrive on March the 28th at Beale Park including two 4.3s.

"888" Ready to be delivered
"888" Ready to be delivered.
Delivering "Loveboat III".

Last weekend despite high winds, we were able to deliver two preloved PTS 26s. “Loveboat III” has gone down to Kingston on Thames, while “888” will be enjoyed by her new riparian owners on the Cookham reach of the Thames.

New on our books

Rendering of "Elizabeth Green" 43ft 1935 Dunkirk Little Ship pending restoration.
Rendering of "Elizabeth Green" 43ft 1935 Dunkirk Little Ship pending restoration.
An example of what you might do as an internal fit out chez Dennett.
An example of what you might do as an internal fit out chez Dennett.

If you think you could do with a larger vessel in which to explore further afield, you might consider this project which is currently on the drawing board of Heather Dennett (from Dennett boatbuilders and an expert at yacht style interiors). 

In fact now "Llanthony" has found a new owner (Stop Press!), if you want to show off at the Dunkirk return 2020, how about investing in the "Elizabeth Green" (43ft, built 1935) project. She could be yours in time for the next return fitted out to the very highest standard. For more details please give me a ring or contact Dennetts directly.

A novel with the Thames at its heart

The joys of relaxing and reading on board.
The joys of relaxing and reading on board.

Whether you are relaxing on your boat or are flying to your next adventure, why not grab a copy of the book “Everything under” by Daisy Johnson as recommended by our very own Adrian Desmond (who will be resuming work shortly as a volunteer lock keeper at Hambleden lock, while “messing about in boats” at HSC the rest of the time). Adrian reviewed it for us as follows: 

“Only rarely do we come across a genuinely engaging novel with the Thames at its heart. The 2018 Booker shortlisted ‘Everything Under’ by Daisy Johnson is one such that has left this reader astonished at the writing and creativity of this, Daisy Johnson’s first novel. 

The novel remixes the Oedipus story with a harrowing account of Sarah, a woman living off grid on a Thames houseboat and bringing up two daughters, both of whom she abandons, the first as a small baby and the second as a 16 year old.

"Everything Under" - book cover
"Everything Under" - book cover

The story follows the lives of these three people, how they come in and out of each other’s lives, sometimes consciously and sometimes not. 

Her depiction of mother Thames will stir the emotions of boaters, as we have all seen and felt the power of the river in her different moods and felt her nature, both benign and malignant but always alive. 

The writing is first class but one has to suspend confusion upon occasion and plough on to clarity, which arrives as the novel winds towards its sad conclusion. 

At the end as mother is reunited with daughter, the pieces of their lives come together through the dark prism of Sarah’s progressing dementia. 

If all this sounds depressing, the novel is not. It leaves the reader thoughtful but with moody pictures of the river, written by someone who understands it.”

Meet the HSC team

Real HSC daffodils in their natural habitat (left) - The varnish is flowing abundantly (right)
Real HSC daffodils in their natural habitat (left) - The varnish is flowing abundantly (right)

While you relax with a novel, rest assured that the HSC team is beavering away. At our Beale Park boat store the daffodils are growing, the sign writer is busy and the varnish is flowing.

Tim Bird, our go-to sign writer, honing his craft in our boat store.
Tim Bird, our go-to sign writer, honing his craft in our boat store.

One member of the hardworking HSC team at our Beale Park location is Simon Denslow, our new operations manager. Initially he joined us briefly in 2017, then returned to us permanently in the summer of 2018 and has now established himself as an invaluable member of our boatyard team.

Simon’s main task is to ensure the smooth running of all yard operations. So you can expect to see him in a pair of waders alongside a trailer and our trusty Land Rover some time this spring.

HSC's Simon Denslow
HSC's Simon Denslow

Fortunately for us Simon trained at Williams, the famous Oxfordshire based manufacturers of RIBs, and he is very skilled in gel coat repairs. He is enjoying learning some woodworking skills from Ellie and we also appreciate his knowledge of internal combustion engines, gained from an engineering course which he undertook while at Williams. 

It is also particularly useful for us to have an experienced licensed trailer expert in house. Simon is very comfortable towing boats to the various launching locations that we use to put our customers’ boats in the river for the season. 

We are delighted to have him as part of our team.

Out and about with HSC

Our stand in front of the town hall at the Henley House & Garden Show
Our stand in front of the town hall at the Henley House & Garden Show

At the beginning of this month I braved rain and tempest at the Henley House & Garden Show with help and good humour provided by the Days, proud owners of “Topaz”. Thank you to them and those of you who came to say “Hello”.

The Days on their acceptance trial on the Broads with company director Anthony Landamore.
The Days on their acceptance trial on the Broads with company director Anthony Landamore.

While at the show I spotted the products of a couple of locally based entrepreneurs producing waterproof, mould resistant cushions, rugs and throws – all ideal for boat owners. 

These beautiful handwoven products are made entirely from recycled plastic bottles!
These beautiful handwoven products are made entirely from recycled plastic bottles!

Bella & Bo are a Henley based gifts and homewares business. Their newest beautifully handwoven and soft rugs and cushions are made entirely from recycled plastic bottles! Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, these products feel like wool, are machine washable and stain resistant. A fabulous addition to any home, garden or boat.

HSC Boat Lake Trials: Saturday May 4th!

The next event in the diary is our very own Beale Park boat show. On Saturday May 4th our boat store will be open and serving coffee and cake, while there will be a number of boats on the lake available to view and test

Please put May 4th in the diary, and to give us an idea of how much cake we’ll need, please pop Gail an email ([email protected]) to let us know that you will attend, and whether it will be in the morning or in the afternoon.

We look forward to seeing you at RG8 9NH!

If you see anything of potential interest as you browse through old photo albums, read interesting books or take photos on your daily walks, please send snippets to me [email protected]

I look forward to hearing from you with your sales enquiries, your photos and your stories.

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Henley Sales and Charter Ltd have gained a reputation over the last 30 years for selling and chartering beautiful, classic boats. Experience of operating and selling boats on the river Thames enables us to offer expert objective advice to prospective owners on all aspects of boat ownership including purchase, surveys, repairs and moorings. We will do our best to find the ideal craft to suit your individual needs - for a day or for a lifetime.

Henley Sales & Charter Ltd

29 Station Road
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
RG9 1AT

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