Hi Don

My brother Michael was until recently a member of a group of eight like minded folk who between them owned a Tripp racing yacht.This was used for racing and was a relatively low maintenance plastic (yuk) boat.They had all agreed to buy it between them and share the expenses and maintenance,but it all came to an end when only a couple of them were willing to carry out simple maintenance tasks and check her during storms etc.She was sold and the story ends there,but the lesson was that hands-on types should only mix it with more well to do proffessional types if they are willing to contribute to maintenance by hiring people to do the things they can't.On the other hand my retired 81 year old dad owns and maintains his HDML,MA/SB and RTTL very well all by himself,but I think this must be the exception to the rule!

Hello all,

Mentioned above is RTTL 2753. Where is she, what sort of condition is she in and how much does the owner want for her?

This is the type of boat that I may be looking for myself.

Cheers, A76NJK

Hello,erm..A

RTTL 2753 is in Gibraltar.Bare,original,sound except work to be done on planking next to gunwhales.Price £10k,I put a pic of her in Where are those boats now topic,HSL 2745 post.Otherwise see many more pics of her and others on my www button below.

David,

I have been watching the story of the RTTL unfold. I would love to put my hand in pocket and join forces to ensure this vessel is saved and put to good use.I sold my boat last year, due to young kids and would love to get back onto the water.I have had a crazy interest in RTTL's for the last 25 years ever since a visit to RAF Hendon as a boy.If you get enough interest i would be happy to join you. Might be worth trying for a grant to restore a part of British history. Please keep me in the loop

Hi Guys

Can't join in as I'm too far away,but I can supply the boat.My dad has just told me he'll let RTTL 2753 go to an enthusiast (or a group of enthusiasts) for a song,try him with an offer of around £6,000.00.The boat has been worked on for the last year and is now looking a lot better(I'll post a recent pic tonight) it may well be worth your while to find out how much it would cost to have her shipped over(try Peters and May).She still has no engines but as far as I know the Mermaids are still available for a similar figure,they could be craned into the boat and chocked securely for the trip,then installed properly once there.The boat really is very clean and sound,just the upper edges of the topsides planking would require a shipwright to fix,the rest is all DIY-able.

Recent pic as promised

Hi Don

I'll get busy with the camera tomorrow.

All The Best,Christian

Interior shots of Flywood and an example of damaged topsides planking below deck edge 

Hi Don

Flywood is sold.

Looks like a buyer for the ST in "Where are those boats now"-Bobster is looking for one.

Dad has finally agreed to take offers on the MASB,he says meet him halfway at £42500 and you have a deal.Come and take her out for a spin,you will leave the proud owner of the finest remaining example of a Whaleback,no question.Also she can travel from here to wherever you like on her own keel,no problem.

Regards,Christian

Hi All,

Just to put in my twopenneth about boat ownership! I think that the real problem is a bit like being a school boy wanting to be a train driver, (showing my age I know) we see ourslves doing all the great things, driving the loco,or standing on the bridge with the power on and all that goes with that immage. That is great when it happens BUT it takes a hell of a lot of blood sweat and tears to actually get  there. Blood sweat and tears also equates to a lot of money, not to buy the boat in the first place, though that is not cheap but if you start to add up the running costs..........well just don't or you won't be able to afford it.

Very few of us are suffuicently well heeled to go out and buy a WW2 boat and then just pay someone else to maintain it for us. In any event that may not be the best enjoymentof what we have, so we have to attack it another way.Don's idea of volenteers paying OR working OR both is not one that I have seen before but it sounds good to me.

If we take the view and I do, that these boats deserved to be preserved in working condition then it seems to me that Joiunt Ownership is the only way forward. That is the only way the I can see myself as an ordinary working individual being able to fulfill the dream of being aboard the boat my dreams, an MTB at full speed on open water.

That of course is a selfish view. However preservastion like this is also the only way, in my view, to keep history alive, intresting and relervant.

So what is the point of this waffle well simply to say I think Don has a great scheme and that it should be supported.

Hello,

I have just read through the previous entries and thought I may add my tuppence worth. I have just bought RTTL 2751 Phoenix and intend to restore her to original external condition with a modern comfortable interior and navigation suite. I sold my house to buy her so the interior will be for me to live in when I return to England on a weekly basis (I work in Guernsey) and 2751 will be based at Brighton Marina after the refit.

As mentioned by Dgray and others purchasing and maintaining a large timber built boat is very expensive. She will also be re-engined to deliver original performance meaning further expense (currently looking at 2 x 1400hp Detroit Diesel 2-strokes for the job, £30,000 for the pair!). The only way I can see to offset this cost is to allow her to pay for herself in the form of charter trips, which is something a charitable trust cannot do. 

Another way of raising funding for the refit is simply raising a mortgage on the vessel. The mortgage companies require an out of water survey which is something that at present cannot be offered due the her being on a tidal pontoon mud birth. Should anyone have dealings with a sympathetic mortgage company that deals with wooden boats then please let me know. I know of two but its good to get a spread of information.

Given the passion expressed about saving historic craft on this website and others I expect there to be quite a few people that would gather a group of 12 to charter a boat such as this for a day trip to France or just a spin around the bay at high speed.  There is also the possibility of film work and invites to boat shows, regattas etc. to further mitigate expenses. I also believe the general public will show an interest as this is likely to be a unique offering in Britain.

She is currently in Porchester and will be motored to Guernsey for the refit quite soon. We are waiting for a spell of decent weather for the move. If any of the forum members are based in Guernsey please look me up. She will most likely be based in St. Sampsons marina on the Bosom or nearby when room permits.

2751 Phoenix is currently on a private birth in Porchester and the yard owner takes unkindly to uninvited visitors but if anyone is interested she can be viewed from the Wicor playing fields.

A76NJK

A76NJK

When she is finished or even back in the uk i for one will definatly want a trip and the like.

Great to see someone restoring sympatheticly. Cant wait.

Hi everyone

I have just taken on the role of editor of 'Yardarm' which is a regular news section attached to the BPBT web site

If anyone has a story of a restoration project, boat share or someone who owns and runs a craft we can feature please let me know with details and pics if possible please

Mike Taylor

email: mailto:bridgerway@yahoo.co.uk - bridgerway@yahoo.co.uk

Sounds like a good idea but suggest you look into the problems experienced by the Trust itself over managing/restoring/funding boats.

You may also like to talk with Richard H in the first instance to get his spin on boat share management. 

M