Long shot - Hartley Marine (Medway)

[Twister_Ken]

Does anyone know anything about Hartley Marine, of Hoo, nr Rochester, Kent, UK.

Now disappeared.

They built my boat in 1980, and I'd like to find out something about them.

PS - I'll also post this on the Classic forum, so please excuse double posting.

 

[oldgit]

Used to know a man who built boats up Hoo creek in the 1960s and 1970s.Shipright called Charles Manley.
He also used to make masts/spars for sailing barges.
Will make inquires.
Never let it be said us stinkies are a selfish bunch of *****.

Just hold tight dear it will not be so rough when we get round the corner,trust me.

 

[Endymion]

Not much help but...

...back in the early 1980's when I used to work for Colvic Craft, Hartley Marine were one of the main agents for fitting out Colvics basic mouldings. From recollection, their standard of work was always exceptionally high. I recall the fit out they did on the very first Liberator 35 from the Colvic factory. The boat was displayed at SBS and won a lot of acclaim for the quality of the joinery and overall standard of finish.

Didn't realise they were no longer trading...sadly, such is the way of the majority of the quality British yards and we are now left with the continental tat being imported by the dozen!

Shame innit??

Endy

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: Not much help but...

>Shame innit??<

That's a big 10-4, good buddy.

 

[jamesjermain]

I can support everything Endymion says - top quality fit-out of Colvic hulls. I believe that the manager at the end was Irene Collins (her present name, I can't remember her name at the time). She spends most of her time in the Med, now, sailing a Moody 346 with current husband Mike. I have just tried the last telephone number I had for them but it doesn't work. I'll see if I can find another

JJ

 

[AndrewB]

They went belly-up in 1987 or thereaboats. The yard simply disappeared, the slipway gone, and the buildings taken over by small works, including a mouldings factory (non-marine) and some others. Affectionately remembered on the Medway, and a great loss to the area. The Hoo area is still in decline in that respect, with comparatively little marine industry left. Hoo Marina (which also went into receivership in 1992 but came back from dead) is now badly neglected and silted up.

 

[leif2802]

I had the Liberator at the SBS in '79. Owner of Hartley at that time was Denny Brown and wife Irene (yes same Irene mentioned in other post). Last I heard Denny lived in Meopham with Margaret and was doing some eductional work, he was a former educator.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Name rings a bell.

Have you checked in Yellow Pages? I recall something on the television about JR Hartley .....

 

[leif2802]

Hartley Marine

BTW they fitted out a few boats for Oyster over the years. A fellow by the name of John Hiltunen now with Southerly Yachts was the yard manager in 1982/3. You can call him for further info.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Errr - boyzngirlz - this one's a rave from the grave and the Hartley boat in question is now with a new owner.