Aspen Lady

[rr_123]

Apologies to the purists, I am posting this on the Classic boat forum and the Thames forum (because it relates to a classic last seen on the Thames /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

Recently unpacking some boxes I came across a watercolour of my old boat, Aspen Lady. Of straitened means I reluctantly sold her about 12 years ago.

Last seen at Harleyford marina, on the hard, with, I believe, a row brewing between her new owner and the yard.

She was a fine old lady (the boat, bot the new owner), I took her from Twickenham up stream as far as Port Meadow, she just squeezed under Osney Bridge - another coat of paint, and she wouldn't have made it!

Just out of curiosity I wondered if anyone has come across her and whether she is still gracing the waterways?



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[Chris_d]

She looks dreadfully familiar, but can't quite place it. Some similar boats at Pangbourne and Reading (Scours lane). Will keep a look out for you /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[No Regrets]

I was thinking the same.

I think there may be something similar around Reading, possibly upstream.

I'll be going there in two weeks time, and keep an eye out...

 

[byron]

She is a ship's lifeboat conversion. Once these were very common especially after WW2. Not that I know that particular boat.

 

[rr_123]

Spot on, she was (is?) a ship's lifeboat conversion, pitch pine on oak ribs with teak sides, and a big morris petrol engine. Built on the same lines as Wild Swan which I believe is still up around Wargrave somewhere.

I think this was a very common source of hulls in the early half of last c. because they had to be changed after a certain period, obviously whilst they were still servicable. She was designed to carry 60 people, quite a lot for a 30' boat!

She was possible Dunkirk, Raymond Baxter halooed me one day when he was Hon Admiral of the ADLS asking for her hull number which I couldn't tell him there and then.

 

[Richard Shead]

I know the boat, an actor who used to be in a tv series called Boon used to own it (not the main guy). As much as I can remember I am afraid!

 

[ianc1200]

Your thinking of "Cathia" owned by David Daker, seen at this year's Trad Rally flood lock in, but moors up Deptford Creek (I think, spoke at length to the current owner). Cathia doesn't have a rear cabin like Aspen Lady/Wild Swan. I know I've sen Aspen Lady, but how long ago and where, I can't remember.

Wild Swan was the first boat Peter Freebody ever did on his own, and he did the conversion whilst under a canvas cover. The hull is of teak, and Peter can give you full details of which liner she came off of. It had a wedding party on it at one of the mid to late 80's Trad Rallys, and the owner Hugh had to sell it when his wife divorced him. Now owned by one of our local County Councillors, but up for sale (this was in the summer, so could be sold by now), but Hugh tried to buy her back and named his next wooden boat "Wild Swan 2", she also has since been sold.

IanC

 

[Richard Shead]

Quite correct now you have mentioned the name!

 

[Captain Coochie]

Looks like Forbsies Pinnace . See Forbsie i told you portholes would look good /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Forbsie]

I was thinking that too.

I will put portholes in, but I get so much light form my magnificent skylight that they can wait for a while. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Captain Coochie]

Oh , and what skylight is this then ?

 

[Forbsie]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh , and what skylight is this then ?

[/ QUOTE ]

The one built by the Master Carpenter contributor to this forum. Got a lovely boat in Sunbury. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Captain Coochie]

Supposed to show a picture ya fool /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif