I realize that this is not related to the usual subjects, but has anyone, (Mr. DuCane etc.), got any information and especialy photos of the Vosper built Tramontana II offshore power boat?

Tramontana II was built around 1963, and had four Jaguar "E-Type" engines installed.

I was fortunate enough to have worked at the Vosper Porchester yard from the late 50's to the mid 60's, and worked on the Brave Class as well as some sea trails on the Tramontana II, but have very little information on this offshore power boat. 

Hello EXPAT,

I have managed to find that - Tramontana II was yard No 2564 - Spec no 2123 - General Arrangement Drawing 19143. She was passed to her original owner on 4th August 1963 - (that being before Messrs Vosper formed their partnership with Messrs Thornycroft.) She was constructed of wood, displaced 7.2 tons, powered by 4 Jaguar 250 (E) engines.

 I am indebted to the member named 'Explosion' for the above information who suggests that further details may be learned from the Librarian at Messrs VT Shipbuilding Ltd. Portsmouth UK, who is understood to be an enthusiast of all matters concerning the history of Messrs Vosper Thornycroft.

Regards

Hello Expat

I was lucky enough to be involved with Tramontana II in the 60's in the stripping, rebuilding and testing in preparation for racing. The boat was owned by a local man whom I knew from my Jaguar racing days. The first race I was involved with was the Cowes to Torquay classic in 1965 when the boat was 5th overall out of 55 starters and won the all British prize. I have a scrap book and a number of photographs and newspaper and magazine articles.  Look forward to hearing from you as to your involvement.

Regards, excrew

I am interested to hear that Spirit of Ecstasy still survives. For me every bit a milestone in powerboat history as the "greyhounds".

I would like to learn of her exact current location and in what state she is in.

Can anyone help?

Hi MikeT

Puerto Sotogrande is on the Costa Del Sol(Golf?),about 30km up the coast from Gibraltar.I'll be passing there on the weekend,I'll take a snap or two if you like and post them here.She been out in the sun for about 10 years with the inevitable results,having said that she's probably not beyond restoration.

Regards,Christian. 

Hi Christian.

That would be fantastic.

I don't suppose anything will come of it but who knows. I have done daft things before.

I don't suppose you would be able to ascertain if she had GRP hull or laminated ply? Probably evident from the state of the hull if she has been out for 10 years. I know the early Dorset Lake boats were laminated but later ones were GRP.

Regards, Mike.

Hi Mike

Will do re pics.

Ply I'm afraid.Please give us a little of this boat's history,I can tell you she's been in this part of the world for the last 30 years or so.

I see there's a couple Hagg motorboats presently for sale on UK brokerages

http://motorcruisers.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=43100 - http://motorcruisers.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=4310 0

http://motorcruisers.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=43060 - http://motorcruisers.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=4306 0  

I also know of two more in the Med,one in Benalmadena,Spain and another abandoned in Malta.  

Christian.

Not a huge amount I can add really. Spirit of Ecstasy was owned, I believe, by Steve Macey, a character in the 60's powerboat racing days, as were so many of them. The Dorset Lake Shipyard designs of that time worked on the then common slim easily driven hulls which would I imagine have been incredibly "wet riding" but also soft riding. The so called "delta" shape of the slightly later racing machines had not really evolved by then. Spirit of Ecstasy thrived in rough conditions, primarily that slim easily driven hull together with oodles of HP, and either won or came very close on at least one occasion because of rough conditions. Other competitors (racing) at the time included Max Aitkens Brave Moppie, a production Bertram cruiser and several other cruising boats.

The adverts that you included are an example of some of the slightly earlier designs I think, but still show that slim hull. A popular engine format for them were 2x Parsons Barracuda (as for early Huntsmen) rated around 100 hp each but still giving 20 knots plus to the 35 odd footers. 

I feared it might be ply. A shame. I suspect that after all this time ashore in hot sunshine will have played havoc with it. I look forward to seeing the photos.

Many thanks for your interest.

Mike

Spirit Of Ecstacy at Sotogrande compound 05/08/06.Couldn't get in to take better pics I'm afraid.Superstructure looking quite bad but hull seems surprisingly good.Regards,Christian

Dear Christian.

Many thanks for taking the trouble. I suspect the hull is cold moulded laminate, like the Faireys, and survived quite well. Possibly the superstructure is straight plywood. As you say the hull looks OK.

A shame to see any boat left like that but one with such an illustrious past. We are due to go away in October and have not yet decided where. I think Puerto Sotogrande might well be a possibilty!

I guess the compound is owned by a boatyard? Or is it some kind of police/ customs pound where boats have been impounded?

Best wishes,

Mike

Hi Mike

The compound belongs to the Puerto, their telephone number is 0034 956 790 000, e-mail mailto:puertosotogrande@telefonica.net - puertosotogrande@telefonica.net contact Eli Ramos.English message OK.