Identify my boat

[Pugwash1952]

A message for anyone (especially Bryon) Can you identify this boat? I have been told on the practical boat owners forum that someone on this forum might be able to help me. She is 24ft, GRP with a fin keel. Any help would be great

 

[Chris_d]

Looks a bit French to me, possibly an Etap or Dufour?

 

[byron]

Initially I thought it might have been a Magyar 7 (23'9") but closer inspection shows many subtle differences. I hate being defeated but I can't identify your boat. I suspect the windows are not the original shape further complicating any chance of my trawling through old reference books couple this with the fact that I am a Stinkpotter anyway and I just have to hold my hands up and surrender - sorry!

 

[Pugwash1952]

Thanks for trying Byron, I have seen a boat that looks the same as mine in Bournemouth and have spoken to the owner. He said that he understood his to be a Bowman Elan, built in the 1970's by Bowman of Southampton. This company was sold and he believes still manufacture boats but rather more prestigious ones (42ft upwards) I have searched Bowman Elan on Google but to no avail. Still, perhaps I'll end up with something original!!
Andrew

 

[byron]

That is interesting because back in 1985 Bowman's were building yachts of 40' or more which suggests yours is pre that date.
I have no record of a Bowman Elan. It could be the original firm just built a few of them. Once one gets back to the 60s plastic boat building was in its infancy with lots a companies 'having a go'. Shetland Boats were made by John Hardy who diversified from Lorry Cabs. Fisher Yachts, he was a BOAC pilot who built the first Fisher for himself and everyone who saw it loved it and from one off he made loads becoming a major player of the 70s.

 

[TrueBlue]

[ QUOTE ]
That is interesting because back in 1985 Bowman's were building yachts of 40' or more which suggests yours is pre that date.
I have no record of a Bowman Elan. It could be the original firm just built a few of them. Once one gets back to the 60s plastic boat building was in its infancy with lots a companies 'having a go'. Shetland Boats were made by John Hardy who diversified from Lorry Cabs. Fisher Yachts, he was a BOAC pilot who built the first Fisher for himself and everyone who saw it loved it and from one off he made loads becoming a major player of the 70s.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what made Britain Great, small outfits expanding sideways, having a go; some making a success of it.

Nowadays it's difficult - planning, hazardous chemicals, employment regulations, taxation, and on, and on.


Life's a bitch innit.

Ah, well, when you've been there and sold the business side off, you can always make a living out of a Tv show?? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[byron]

John Hardy is an interesting story. He and Jack Stokes were immensly successful with the Shetlands, helped I like to think by my company's advertising/PR expertise. They then sold out for a small fortune. John then got bored with life and came up with the delightful Hardy's; those great little boats with the rope fenders. I don't know what he's up to these days as I haven't heard from him in a long while.

BUT! As you rightly say entrepenurial spirit is muzzled these days by 'elf n safety' and other issues. I have no doubt in my mind that is one reason China & India are racing ahead, they aren't constrained like we are.