Rich the Scribbler
New member
Hi
I'm looking for any information about Charles Greene, the East Coast yacht designer and founder of Cruiser Kits, which was based in Bungay, Suffolk back in the sixties and seventies. I believe the firm may have closed about 1977 due to the imposition of VAT on kit boats (they were previously exempt from the old purchase tax).
The reason: I've bought what is probably one of the last remaining boats he designed, a Santa Barbara 32. She has been beautifully fitted out internally, though the exterior needs some work to smarten her up. I still have the original drawings.
I've found out a little about Greene's history from the Norfolk Broads forum (see brief biog below). He sadly died in 2007. I've also talked to a guy who used to work for him, and have a collection of photos from the old works where the kits were assembled.
I'm a journalist, and I'm trying to gather as much info as possible so that I can start to put together a Wiki page for him. So anything that can help - a copy of a Cruiser Kits catalogue, copies of PBO (or any other magazine) that featured reviews – I believe there were a few, including a time challenge to build one of his kits. And any more info about the company – I'm told at one point it was very successful, with the catalogue being translated into three languages. (Digital scans are fine if you don't want to part with the originals.)
I'm hoping there are also one or two other of his boats still afloat, and if so it would be great to touch base with the owners.
Many thanks!
Charles Greene bio (courtesy Norfolk Broads forum)
Charles Ernest Greene, a contemporary of Maurice Griffiths, sadly died in 2007 [in Beccles, Suffolk, aged 86]. Affectionately known as “Ginger”, at the age of 16 he went to the Isle of Wight to learn boat building, thus becoming fully conversant with the traditional method of boat construction.
He later went to Walton Yacht Works until he could join the forces at the beginning of WWII. In 1949 he moved to Weybridge where he made a dinghy from an old plywood landing craft and realised what good material it was. He obtained more such craft and from them built one of if not the first ever plywood cruiser, 30ft long and named it “Shelley” after his daughter.
Great interest was shown in the press and some plans and kits were sold. He later moved to Bungay Staithe, Suffolk and his company, Cruiser Kits, sold a range of over 50 boats up to 60ft in length which were exported to many countries, the catalogue appearing in three different languages. He also designed and built a 44ft trimaran, “Hesperides”, which he sailed with his family to the South of France.
This was moored at the then new port of Menton where the family lived with a view to semi-retirement. However, semi or otherwise “retirement” was not in Ginger's vocabulary. Ginger spent the rest of his years writing, designing and inventing up to the last. He was a “one off” who can hardly be replaced and will be much missed.
I'm looking for any information about Charles Greene, the East Coast yacht designer and founder of Cruiser Kits, which was based in Bungay, Suffolk back in the sixties and seventies. I believe the firm may have closed about 1977 due to the imposition of VAT on kit boats (they were previously exempt from the old purchase tax).
The reason: I've bought what is probably one of the last remaining boats he designed, a Santa Barbara 32. She has been beautifully fitted out internally, though the exterior needs some work to smarten her up. I still have the original drawings.
I've found out a little about Greene's history from the Norfolk Broads forum (see brief biog below). He sadly died in 2007. I've also talked to a guy who used to work for him, and have a collection of photos from the old works where the kits were assembled.
I'm a journalist, and I'm trying to gather as much info as possible so that I can start to put together a Wiki page for him. So anything that can help - a copy of a Cruiser Kits catalogue, copies of PBO (or any other magazine) that featured reviews – I believe there were a few, including a time challenge to build one of his kits. And any more info about the company – I'm told at one point it was very successful, with the catalogue being translated into three languages. (Digital scans are fine if you don't want to part with the originals.)
I'm hoping there are also one or two other of his boats still afloat, and if so it would be great to touch base with the owners.
Many thanks!
Charles Greene bio (courtesy Norfolk Broads forum)
Charles Ernest Greene, a contemporary of Maurice Griffiths, sadly died in 2007 [in Beccles, Suffolk, aged 86]. Affectionately known as “Ginger”, at the age of 16 he went to the Isle of Wight to learn boat building, thus becoming fully conversant with the traditional method of boat construction.
He later went to Walton Yacht Works until he could join the forces at the beginning of WWII. In 1949 he moved to Weybridge where he made a dinghy from an old plywood landing craft and realised what good material it was. He obtained more such craft and from them built one of if not the first ever plywood cruiser, 30ft long and named it “Shelley” after his daughter.
Great interest was shown in the press and some plans and kits were sold. He later moved to Bungay Staithe, Suffolk and his company, Cruiser Kits, sold a range of over 50 boats up to 60ft in length which were exported to many countries, the catalogue appearing in three different languages. He also designed and built a 44ft trimaran, “Hesperides”, which he sailed with his family to the South of France.
This was moored at the then new port of Menton where the family lived with a view to semi-retirement. However, semi or otherwise “retirement” was not in Ginger's vocabulary. Ginger spent the rest of his years writing, designing and inventing up to the last. He was a “one off” who can hardly be replaced and will be much missed.
