Our Boats

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Our ‘Flagship’ – Bernadette II – 2 + 2 berth

30ft of classic Bates Star Craft.

Built in 1952, for the same price as two semi-detached houses!

Says a lot – good design, quality materials and fittings, handmade by craftsmen.

She initially was part of the ‘Bates’ hire fleet, how long she was engaged as such is not known, but she has obviously passed through a number of private hands since then!

However, she has been well maintained throughout the years, with modifications along the way.

The obvious one is the engine change, from petrol to a BMC 1.5 diesel and the fitting of a ‘Jet thruster’!

To bring her in line with current BSS standards, we have paid attention to many areas, entirely replacing the saloon windows, additional water tanks, a 1000w inverter, a new fridge and additional worktop space and storage in the galley.

New mattresses have been fitted to the forward cabin and memory foam toppers available for the saloon berths.
Central heating has been fitted, with radiators in the forward berth, head and saloon.

We also include a TV with internal DVD and a Stereo DAB radio  

Also on board:   

• Shore power – 240v, USB sockets                                                                                 
• Shower, flush toilet, wash basin, bathroom cabinet
• Gas oven & hob
• Full set of cooking utensils, crockery and cookware, toaster, kettle, cafetiere,glasses
• T Towels, washing up liquid and wash-ups
• Tea, Coffee and Sugar. essential spices if you like to cook!
• Hair Dryer, Iron and ironing board
• Bedding, towels and pillows                                                                                        
• Cleaning materials                                                                                                                
• Buoyancy jackets  
• Picnic chairs and table, rug
• Mooring stakes and hammer
• Selection of DVD's and board games

Claudette lV

A Johnsons 30. Built in 1965

Claudette is now a seasoned member of the 'fleet'.

Designed by Arnott Fowler, who was well known for many boat designs of the time, at various Norfolk yards

A lot of the work has gone into her, and the results are just how we wanted her to be. We have managed to keep most of the mahogany interior, but painted the ceiling white to give her a light and airy feel - the oak beams have been kept too. She is painted and varnished inside and out. She has had a bow thruster fitted and there are new appliances, alongside existing features, and warm air heating. Claudette has everything on board that Bernadette has. Claudette has a ‘forward helm’ position, and the roof of the saloon goes back leaving the saloon completely open. Jeff has fitted a mechanism that makes it really easy to retract.

Claudette is a very popular addition!

EVETTE - 2 BERTH 

A Freeman 23' built in 1973

An excellent example of the ever popular Freeman       

23' Long x 7'6" wide - headroom 5' 9" approx.                     

Evette finally joined the fleet in June 2019.

There are lots of Freemans on the River Thames, of varying sizes -

There also used to be hire fleets of Freemans - but now - as far as we aware - she is the ONLY Feeman that is available for hire!!

So much has been added to bring her up to the same spec as the others! She has everything they have (apart from an iron!)- just in a smaller space!

New seating and mattresses, new oven and hob, new fridge (decent size too!), new hardwood flooring, new cockpit seating, new 'head' with electric flush loo and shower, new soft furnishings, new canopy and new diesel engine. The icing on the cake being - new bow thruster!

She really is a joy to drive - handles beautifully.

Evette is the perfect short break, long weekend boat, but she has been hired out for full weeks too! If you are looking for a compact fun little boat, she could be the one for you. Sleeps ideally 2, but guests with younger families have taken her out and had a great time!

Antoinette – 4/6 berth - A Herbert Woods ‘Silver Light’ - 30’ - to follow - can't wait - she's going to be gRRRRreat! Big project though, so Rubette will be next!

Rubette (aka Ruby)

28 ft x 9ft - Wooden - Hand built from mid hull upwards, by Jeff.

She is a well travelled boat! Was kept on the Medway, then we brought her up to Benson, probably about 8/9 years ago now? Kept her at Benson for 3 or 4 years, then took her back down to Kent then across to France.After a year or two there we took her over to Holland. Eventually, via Belguim , she came home. Now on hard standing being restored. Again either a 2 or 4 berth, half cockpit and half living space. A new bow thruster has already been fitted, now it's painting and varnishing, renewing and reviewing!

Watch this space for progress reports and pictures!

Please note all of our boats are non-smoking