Classic boat at Shiplake...sunk.

[watson1959]

I've tried looking for a past thread but cant find it. Moored just above Shiplake Islands at the end of someone's garden, there is a lovely old classic which the owner has been renovating tirelessly for the last 2-3 years...she was starting to look really fantastic.

I recall a forumite saying that at some point she had been on the cover of one of the magazines (possibly a Little Ship?). Cant find the old thread or the pics which I posted at the time as I must have deleted them.

Unfortunately she's now below water with just a foot or so of roof showing...very sad.

 

[bumperdump]

saw this a few weeks back, shame to see the boat sunk.

 

[miket]

Old clinker lifeboat conversion. Don't think it is a Little Ship.
Afraid it will be a write off now.

 

[ianc1200]

Mike, was the name of the boat "Quest"? I thought this was one with a transom (so therefore not a lifeboat conversion). It used to be in great condition and moor at the boatyard behind the island downstream of Boulters, and had a Handybilly engine with lots of brass control knobs. Came to the Trad Rally at least once, and was on the front cover of a 80's or 90's Waterways World.

 

[miket]

Actually, I think you might be right about the transom so probably not a lifeboat conversion.
We used to pass it quite frequently since it's relatively recent (? last 5 years?) appearance at Shiplake. The condition always struck me as "brave, but possibly too much for the owner".
I suspect the winter conditions were just too much for an old girl.

 

[watson1959]

Mike, was the name of the boat "Quest"? I thought this was one with a transom (so therefore not a lifeboat conversion). It used to be in great condition and moor at the boatyard behind the island downstream of Boulters, and had a Handybilly engine with lots of brass control knobs. Came to the Trad Rally at least once, and was on the front cover of a 80's or 90's Waterways World.

Yes....it was Quest. The interior had been re-done impeccably: completely stripped from what I saw, then repainted/varnished/furnished. Owner spent many many hours on her.

 

[watson1959]

I suspect the winter conditions were just too much for an old girl.

I've looked at the visible damage over the last couple of trips past: there is substantial damage to the solid wooden mooring edges and the impression I get is that she was perhaps caught on it as the waters fell...pure speculation of course.

 

[bumperdump]

been past her today..........

after pulling this out

 

[watson1959]

Hi Bumperdump....was that you who also 'caught' the telephone line at Shiplake yesterday? :encouragement: If so, my son and I were next to you going downstream through the lock. Nice fish btw.

 

[bumperdump]

Hi Bumperdump....was that you who also 'caught' the telephone line at Shiplake yesterday? :encouragement: If so, my son and I were next to you going downstream through the lock. Nice fish btw.

thank you yes that was me, lucky the fella with the canoe was helpful.

 

[watson1959]

it's a bugger: things like that only ever happen when there's an audience!! Like me drifting all over the place in locks when it's windy.... I've seen you several times on the Reading-Henley stretch so will give you a shout next time.

 

[bumperdump]

likewise just don't shout watch your wash at me, we have lures stuck in various places up and down the thames, we had a big pike just in front of the angel last summer, outside eating area full to the brim, as I lifted the net out the water with a decent fish in it the landing net snapped at the handle join, this pulled the lure out the pikes mouth, many clapped the pike as she swam off.

 

[watson1959]

LOL dohhhhhh!