Help needed in identifying Classic motor boat!!!

Courageous

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17 Aug 2003
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396
Location
Ireland and Spain
www.courageous.it
Hi chaps - I am looking for some information regarding a vessel which was built in Bucki's (or buckeys) yard in 1968.

She is SSR No 116 and the name is "Chela"

It is thought she was a one off built at great expense. We believe the yard may be in scotland although some of the german paperwork makes reference to werft hamble???

Hull No is 308 704.

Basically - the story is this - we now own her and wish to try to establish any history with a view to establishing a value for sale.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
it may be that the boat was built in one of the shipyards in Buckie, Banffshire, Scotland. a photo would help. what type of craft is it anyway ?
 
in the 60`s there were three shipyards in buckie - jones, herd & mckenzie and thomsons. as you say mostly fishing boats but jones and herd & mckenzie certainly built motor sailers. i`m not sure about thomsons.
a photo and a few more details of the craft would help.
 
Brilliant guys!!! Buckie still exists? What a wonder in todays commercial environment! I shall get photo's today and put them up here so please try and come back later if you could! Thanks for all your help chaps!
 
Hi chaps - thanx for your patience. The only photo I have of her is old and shows her in her former glory. She's still under a thorough restoration and I should like just a rough idea of value if anyone can help!

Chema1.jpg
 
Very handsome boat.

This is just a guess from looking at the picture, but two designers who drew some rather similar boats and who were active at the time were

Fred. Parker

Peter Brown
 
Not hugely helpful I am afraid but I do remember adverts for that particular boat/ design when my Pop 1st became interested in motor boats back in the late 50's.
It is definitely a motor boat. The mast at the stern is part steadying sail and part crane for the dinghy.
I sypathise with the respondent who suggested an Otter Class. I know of one on the Thames and whilst similar it is not the same.
If all else fails you could do worse than contact MB&Y archives and see if they can match it.
 
Thanx for all of your replies so far chaps. I believe she was the London Boat show exhibit for the yard in 68. She is for sure a motor boat with twin diesels on conventional drives. The mast is indeed for a staysail. My oppo is contacting Buckies today and we hope he will realise some information from that and I am considering contacting the organisers of the LBS too just to see if they may have any information to cross reference. It is thought she fetched the equivalent of €200,000 when new in 68. We haven't a clue how to go about valuing her now though if indeed she turns out to be a one off??? Any thoughts anyone?
 
The Register of Yachts in 1969 has the following entry for a yacht called Chela:-
Type: TwnScSlp
Owner: Saskatchewan Enterprises Ltd, Littlecroft, Gong HillDrive, Fareham, Surrey
LOA 45ft
Beam12.75ft
Draft: 4.5
Sail makers Williams 68
Port of Registry: Buckie
Home port: Hamble
Builder: Port Hamble Ltd
Designer: J Francis Jones & Partners and Port Hamble Ltd
Built Hamble
Year 1968
Engines: 2 oil engines, each 4 cyl, 72bhp
 
Ah so Buckie was not the building yard? That's a bit of a disappointment as they are still going! Does anyone know if Port hamble ltd are still trading perchance? I shall try a google! Keep it coming if you have any more thanx.
 
Port Hamble is now Hamble Yacht Services, some of the guys there have been there since the 60's so may well know your boat, I dont know any of their names, best thing would be to pop in there one day and mooch around with a photo.
 
Brilliant stuff guys! I could write to that previous owner! WRT Hamble yacht services I'm rarely in that area living primarily in Spain but again a phone call or letter may well kickstart something eh? Thanks again guys, really appreciate it!
 
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