MTB 102

[jecuk]

Jcuk.
Do you know where she is now moored and who has done the restoration? Sounds as though it could be an interesting thread on it's own?

Good point - I will find out and let people here know.

 

[ianc1200]

I too remember White Marlin in my youth. My grandfather kept Straight Across at Nicholls Boatyard above Bell Weir mid 50's - mid 70's. In the summer he just used to leave SA moored at Mill Meadows Henley, which is then where i spent all my holidays as a kid (& why I moved to Henley as soon as I could). Moored opposite on the Hobbs Wargrave Rd yard virtually next to the riverside enclosed swimming pool (now Henley RC) was where WM mored. It was kept in concurs condition, but seemed to only go out rarely, usually Bank Holiday Mondays etc. Was really a beautiful boat to look at then. I do have quite a lot of 30's/40's/50's Motor Boat & Yachting & Yachting Worlds, there were reviews of WM, photo's, then with an open centre cockpit. I think the then owner used to win the TMYC (although TMYC had a different name then) predicted log down river cruises.

 

[ADLS]

White Marling

In answer to your posts Mike and Wavey, Yes, She was in such a state.
Back when I was a boy, White Marlin was my grandad's bride and joy. Richard Thompson - He cared for the boat as if it was his child. He built a enclosed cockpit rather than the open cockpit you see in the pictures himself and rebuild some of the deck and rails that ran around the sides. (excuse the lack of nautical terminology.) He passed away when I was 4 years old, and thus the work stopped.
She sat in mooring near thorpe park for a few years where no work was ever kept to maintain her. She slowly began to list and take on water. Years went past and the weather got the better of the timber and the boat got even worse.
At this point my grandmother could not afford the mooring costs and repairs. She was later sold to David Murr.
From what I believe, David has undergone a complete restoration and taken her back to the open cockpit boat she once was.

All this has only sparked my attention now because as you say Mike she has been entered into the Queen Diamond Jubilee Pageant – River Thames, Sunday 3rd June 2012.

David was trying to get White Marling to the pageant sadly he was let down by supplyiers that would have left the boat open to the eliments and so didn't attend, a wise decision I think. Well WM is back afloat on the Medway after having $$$$$$$$ spent on her, ribs doubled, new cabin tops, deck beam and boards, re-engined etc, etc.
She will be moved up to Gallions Point marina for an internal fitout, so hopefully next summer she will be finished, if a boat is ever finished.