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September 2021 Boating News

Gillian Nahum
September 30, 2021

Writing this newsletter evokes memories of a wonderful summer, tipsy on renewed freedom, some beautifully sunny days, boat sales aplenty, and the return of a few boating events.

Gleaming varnish and fluttering flags

As August drew to a close, I was in a childlike state of excitement at the prospect of the TTBF gathering. Despite the slightly chilly weather, nothing could dampen the spirits of exhibitors and attendees alike.

'Tritania' at the TTBF
'Tritania' at the TTBF
'Neptune' at the 2021 Thames Traditional Boat Festival
'Neptune' at the 2021 Thames Traditional Boat Festival

'Neptune' (a boat we sold last year) and her owner Nick, came down from Lechlade for the festivities and a week's holiday.

'St. Joan' - looking shipshape and beautifully decorated, with her owner Hannah at the helm.
'St. Joan' - looking shipshape and beautifully decorated, with her owner Hannah at the helm.

What a joyous occasion, with varnish gleaming and flags fluttering in the breeze. 

Our set up at this year's Thames Traditional Boat Festival.
Our set up at this year's Thames Traditional Boat Festival.
The 'Hero' of our stand.
The 'Hero' of our stand.

I personally hardly had time to draw breath as customers and friends old and new drifted by our stand for a chat.

Splendid wooden classics from near and far attended this year's rally.
Splendid wooden classics from near and far attended this year's rally.
The ever so elegant 'Casino Royale', with canine crew, also joined in the festivities.
The ever so elegant 'Casino Royale', with canine crew, also joined in the festivities.

There appears to be a welcome increase in enthusiasm for wooden boats, with a number of potential clients wishing to embrace and invest in our maritime heritage. 

What a glorious event it was.
What a glorious event it was.

A twist on tradition

For those more inclined towards a twist on tradition, there is always the attractive option of the contemporary classic even though you will not be able to attend the TTBF, as currently there is no ‘spirit of tradition’ category.

The PTS 26 - A chic and spacious weekender
The PTS 26 - A chic and spacious weekender
'Salad Days' interior - A beautiful Frolic 31
'Salad Days' interior - A beautiful Frolic 31

We have an increasing number of options available for owners who would prefer a relatively low-maintenance hull, including the ever-popular PTS range, the Frolic 31, or the Bossoms Patricia double hull.

'Drifting by' with a Bossoms Patricia hull.
'Drifting by' with a Bossoms Patricia hull.

In this category, there are several end-of-season bargains, including 'Drifting by,' 'Salad Days,' and the Caprice Classic. All are in very good condition, and each of them is half the price of a new-build for which you would have to wait at least a year.

The Caprice Classic - a super stylish retro sports cruiser
The Caprice Classic - a super stylish retro sports cruiser

Look out for the new kid on the block!

Having coined the expression ‘Contemporary Classic’ some years ago, it’s fun to be able to add the occasional new model to the range. 

I was invited to view a new hull last week in Norfolk based on a 1930s Brooke. This elegant runabout features in my original Brooke sales booklet, printed in the 30s. 

1930s Brooke
1930s Brooke

The new boat will be known as the Phoenix Classic 20, and the first vessel out of the mould, fitted with a smooth refurbished petrol engine, is now for sale. Please feel free to contact our office for more information.

Congrats Abbey!

Abbey's new Norfolk yard
Abbey's new Norfolk yard

A few miles away, Abbey Molyneux soldiers on in her new premises bolstered by the well-deserved recognition she gained for her work at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival. 'Queen of Light' left the event covered in glory and rosettes. 

Well done Abbey!

'Queen of Light'
'Queen of Light'

An ode to Gail Lewis

After 6 years, sadly our amazing administrator Gail is leaving us and moving on to pastures new. Her departure will leave a large hole in our organisation. We will miss her sunny disposition and her dedication to customer satisfaction, as well as her impeccable organisational skills, which have been such a bonus. 

We often jokingly compare my method of planning an event, i.e. making a list on the back of a scruffy envelope, with her immaculate Excel spreadsheets which have served our customers and our team so well during her tenure as our administrator in chief. 

Gail isn't leaving because some large corporation has lured her to the dark side, but to have more time for her family and to return to her desk as a student having signed up for a second degree, this time with the Open University. 

Gail takes centre stage at her surprise farewell party.
Gail takes centre stage at her surprise farewell party.

We feted Gail's massive contribution to HSC's ongoing success this month in glorious sunshine on the beautiful 'Windsor Belle'. 

A business is merely the sum of its people. With each year our team has grown in size and strength. Gail is now sadly leaving us and she will be a very hard act to follow. We all wish her well and will keep in close touch.

What about the rest of the HSC team?

On the bright side, Ellie and Andrew will be joined full-time at the yard by Alex Simmons. 

Please let us know as soon as you can if your boat needs attention so that Ellie can include it in her winter calendar.

PureBoating staff crewing at the Henley Festival (en route to collect our guests from Hurley) - Olivia at the helm and James & Sasha on the port side.
PureBoating staff crewing at the Henley Festival (en route to collect our guests from Hurley) - Olivia at the helm and James & Sasha on the port side.

In addition to Gail’s impending and much-lamented departure, we will also be saying goodbye to most of the PureBoating team who have run an exemplary day-hire operation on the Wallingford and Goring reaches this summer. 

The older generation often describes the youth of today as snowflakes. The young people that I was privileged to employ this summer are true rays of sunshine with a cherry on top. They all have bright futures, and I look forward to welcoming some of them back for the 2022 summer season, which will mark HSC’s 30th anniversary.

'Belle' of the ball

The stunning 'Windsor Belle' is now for sale through Henley Sales & Charter.
The stunning 'Windsor Belle' is now for sale through Henley Sales & Charter.

'Windsor Belle,' which has to be the most beautiful wooden boat on the Thames, as well as one of the most historic, is now officially for sale. If you are interested in becoming the custodian of this very special vessel please give me a call.

Charging Along

Charging along - article in RYA magazine

The Electric Boat Association is revving up for a new assault on the authorities to provide more charging points along our rivers and canals. 

You may be interested in reading the article titled 'Charging Along,' that appeared in RYA Magazine, most of the pictures and information having been provided to the journalist by me.

A snapshot from the Electric Boat Association's e-boat Decathlon in Lechlade earlier this month.
A snapshot from the Electric Boat Association's e-boat Decathlon in Lechlade earlier this month.

A few enthusiastic members of the EBA launched their boats at Lechlade last week for a cruise down to Kelmscott country home of the designer William Morris. We lunched in the sunshine at the Plough Inn, and a pleasant time was had by all.

No need for range anxiety

'Agatha' with 1,000 hours on her ticker.
'Agatha' with 1,000 hours on her ticker.

Range anxiety for electric boats should be a thing of the past. Here is PureBoating's little 'Agatha' having achieved a 1,000 hours of trouble-free boating. From our kiosk in Wallingford she, like our other boats, runs for 8 solid hours a day, with an overnight charge sufficient for another day’s cruising. 

As a private owner if you need 2 days worth of power, then mostly you can double your battery pack ('Salad Days' has a double battery pack) or you can convert to Lithium Ion, the cost of which is rapidly decreasing with the popularity of electric cars.

Aspen Fuels marine

Many owners still prefer the internal combustion engine. However we have heard via river-gossip channels that new fuel regulations may impede the operation of older petrol installations. A company called 'Aspen Fuels' appears to have come up with a solution. 

If any of our readers have more knowledge of this matter, could they please get in touch.

Going into autumn, we ponder ...

Autumnal lock closures
Autumnal lock closures

As we say goodbye to the summer our boating activities, at least here on the Thames, will be curtailed by autumnal lock closures. If you are thinking of some winter cruising it will be seriously restricted. You will find more information on the Environment Agency website. 

There is a public consultation underway regarding increased charges for a number of waterways. If only an increase in charges could mean an increase in customer service we might be less opposed to the idea.

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

Sales

01491 578 870
[email protected]

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