Nelson Designs: A Noble Heritage.

rustybarge

rustybarge

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Just some random stuff I came across on Nelson boat designs with Google. Please add any information or photos you may have.... :)

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Royal Yacht Britannia with her Nelson fast-motor-launches.

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A Nelson 34 hanging on it's davits.

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An old Royal Navy Nelson 34 tender.
Nelson 34 Fast Motor Launch. Model No. 7451 34' FML MK8
Moulded by Tyler Ltd. Yard build no. 2402.
Fitted out by Anderson Rigden & Perkins Ltd at Whitstable Kent in 1976, allocated to
HMS Cambia in 1976 until 1995 based at Barry South Wales.
Capacity of 20 persons excluding 3 crew.
Length 34 feet, Beam 9 feet, Draught 3' 4", weight 7.5 tons.
Twin Perkins T6354M Diesel engines. 145HP. Serviced August. 4 new oil filters & new oil. 2 new Diesel filters. Max. 18 - 20 knots. 2 copper fuel tanks 100 gallon combined capacity.

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Not much room in the narrow beam hull!

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The Royal Nelson aft saloon is a tiny bit more luxurious.
 
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Fitzgerald Marine in Cork Ireland produce the Aquastar 38' widebeam Nelson under licence.

12'9" beam vs. 9'

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Nelson Boats builders:
http://www.nelsonboatownersclub.co.uk/nelsontypes.html
Boat Length
Designed By
Date
Moulded By
Nelson 18 Peter Thornycroft 1962 Halmatic & Tyler Boats
Nelson 20 Arthur Mursell 2007 Halmatic
Nelson 23 - 25 Arthur Mursell 1996
Nelson 26 - 29 Arthur Mursell Tyler Boats
Nelson 32 Peter Thornycroft 1962 Halmatic
Nelson 33 Arthur Mursell 1994 Landguard
Nelson 34 Mk I, II & III John Askham 1963 Tyler Boats
Nelson 35 Arthur Mursell 1983 Halmatic
Nelson 37 Arthur Mursell 1996 Landguard Marine
Nelson 38 Arthur Mursell 1990 Marlborough Marine / Dale Nelson
Nelson 40 / 42 John Askham 1964 Halmatic
Nelson 42 MkII Arthur Mursell 1991 Halmatic & Seaward Marine
Nelson 44 Arthur Mursell Halmatic & Aquatar
Nelson 45 Peter Thornycroft 1975 Tyler Boats
Nelson 45 (new) Arthur Mursell 2002 Dale Nelson
Nelson 48 / 50 Arthur Mursell Halmatic
Nelson 49 / 50 Arthur Mursell Halmatic
Nelson 60 John Askham 1966
Nelson 70 / 75 Peter Collet 1975 Tyler Boats
 
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rustybarge said:
Nelson Boats builders:
http://www.nelsonboatownersclub.co.uk/nelsontypes.html
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There's at least one larger (80') boat which is missing from that list.
And she's also for sale, in case anyone's interested - see here.

Btw, Deleted User might remember that both of us saw her in flesh last year, during the cruise from CF to SoF.
We were in fact given a berth next to her, in P.S.Stefano (Tuscany).
A proper seaworthy and solid vessel, by the look of her.
But whether she's worth the asking price, that's anyone's guess....
 
MapisM said:
There's at least one larger (80') boat which is missing from that list.
And she's also for sale, in case anyone's interested - see here.

Btw, Deleted User might remember that both of us saw her in flesh last year, during the cruise from CF to SoF.
We were in fact given a berth next to her, in P.S.Stefano (Tuscany).
A proper seaworthy and solid vessel, by the look of her.
But whether she's worth the asking price, that's anyone's guess....
Click to expand...

Wow! It. Looks like a Nelson on steriods that's been stretched.....

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I think they might have missed this boat too: The Royal Nore 22mtrx6mtr

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http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais...192351/mmsi:235056766/imo:0/vessel:ROYAL_NORE

The Queen's Watermen
Until the middle of the nineteenth century the Sovereign regularly travelled on the river Thames, either on State occasions or between the Royal Palaces of Windsor, Westminster, Hampton Court, Greenwich and the Tower of London.

The men who rowed the Royal Barges up and down the river Thames were known as Royal Watermen. The Sovereign today still retains 24 Royal Watermen under the command of The Queen's Bargemaster, thereby continuing one of the most ancient appointments in the Royal Household. The original number of 48 was halved by King Edward VII.

There are no State Barges still afloat today. However, the Royal Nore, which is owned and maintained by the Port of London Authority, is the official motor launch used whenever a member of the Royal Family travels on the river Thames for an official engagement.

Royal Watermen are chosen from the ranks of the Thames Watermen whose business today is manning tugs, lighters and launches, therefore earning their employment on the River. Upon their appointment, each Waterman is given a Warrant of Appointment and paid a small honorary sum per year.

Their uniform is a skirted scarlet tunic with a silver gilt Royal Cypher (plastrum) on the front and back of the jacket, breeches, navy/black cap, scarlet stockings, white shirt and black buckled shoes.

The duties of the Royal Watermen are now purely ceremonial. On the water, the Watermen escort members of the Royal Family on board the Royal Nore on the river Thames, and visiting Heads of State who arrive in London on the river, such as The King and Queen of Norway on the Royal Yacht NORGE in 2005. The Royal Watermen participated in the Silver Jubilee river progress in 1977.

On-shore duties consist of acting as boxmen on Royal carriages during State Visits, Royal weddings and Jubilees, and walking behind The King or Queen's Bargemaster at Coronations. At the State Opening of Parliament, The Queen's Bargemaster and Watermen travel on the carriages guarding the regalia when it is conveyed from Buckingham Palace to Westminster and back as a reminder of the days when it was brought by boat from the Tower of London
 
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Isn't it amazing that we have found two boats that are not on the Nelson Owner's Club list: the power of Google! :p
 
The man who started it all.

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Peter Thornycroft (1914–1987)

Nelson Boat Design
The design for the best 'semi-displacement' form was reportedly discovered by accident, when in 1958 Thornycroft noticed a wooden 23ft launch, still on the stocks, which appeared hogged aft of the skeg. It proved surprisingly fast, and Thornycrofts later designs got the same hollow in the run of the buttock lines, but starting roughly halfway down the hull. For a soft ride in head seas Thornycroft designed slack bilges forward with a deep and sharp entry, and bilges that turn very tight towards the wide stern. The hollow buttocks give a very flat run, providing lift for full planing speeds if desired. A long waterline, moderate beam, high bows and round bilges ensure excellent handling throughout the speed range. Designed for fuel efficiency and a soft ride at semi-planing speeds, Nelsons can better maintain speed in heavy weather and are vastly more comfortable on passage than chine planing powercraft.

'
 
The first wood Nelson 'Nigella' 1959

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Hull under restoration

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Peter Thornycroft, the founder's grandson, founded the firms of Keith, Nelson & Company Ltd and T.T. Boat Designs Ltd in 1955 and 1965 respectively. In 1959, Peter Thornycroft built the first real Nelson - a wooden 29ft Nigella, designed and built for Leopold baron de Rothschild, who wished to commute at 18 knots between his home on the Beaulieu river to the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes. This sparked the creation of the Nelson 32 and in 1962 the all GRP-built best seller Nelson 34. The Royal Navy bought many, including two VIP launches for the Royal Yacht Britannia. The 34ft boat was followed in 194 by the 40ft yacht Edelweiss. This fine 20 knots sea boat triggered a revolution at Trinity House. With a Nelson 40 pilots could be ferried safely from ship to shore in any weatherm doing away with expensive cutters on cruising station. The hulls for the Nelson 40 were built by Halmatic, as were Nelson 44 pilot boats, while Tyler built Nelson 75 hulls as coastguard patrol vessels.

http://www.nelsonboatownersclub.co.uk/nelsonstory.html
 
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ABOUT THIS NELSON 34

Previously was the Admiral's launch VIP transfer vessel off HMS Ark Royal. Only completed 200 running hours. Major modifications, to suit as a tanker transfer vessel, diving, piloting and fishing charter boat. The wheelhouse was converted from an open style to an enclosed one with an aft door. Extending the wheelhouse by approximately 8ft resulting in more space for equipment and passengers. This vessel is now a perfect example of a multi-use work boat. Large, open aft deck with a transom door and platform for diving, coded until May 2015 for 8 passengers.

https://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/1432511/
 
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Peter Thornycroft, the founder's grandson, founded the firms of Keith, Nelson & Company Ltd and T.T. Boat Designs Ltd in 1955 and 1965 respectively.
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Maybe the Nelson 34 was designed as a ship's tender from the start because the company was called T.T.Boat designs. ie: T.T. stands for 'Tender To: xyz' that you see yotties paint on their dinghy, and of course the name Nelson is an iconic name in the Navy.
 
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Firefly625 said:
http://www.classicoffshore.com/blog/2012/10/11/956/


Knowing one of the guys who was actually on Horatia for the 1969 Round Britain race, and hearing the stories from the race this was an epic achievement. Averaged 28mph over 1400 miles!! Even today that is a heck of a speed.

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That is seriously impressive . :)

Maybe I got the origin of the name Nelson wrong: it seems the boat builder of the hulls was called Nelson?

.The boats were Yeomana 3 owned by famous Yachtsman Owen Aisher, crewed by Peter Thonycroft and Stan Bishop and Vantage owned by John Dupree, both were 32 ft overall designed by Thornycroft and built by Keith Nelson. Yeomana being powered by 2 Perkins diesels totalling 138hp and Vantage by a single Rootes Lister rated at 100hp.
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rustybarge said:
Maybe the Nelson 34 was designed as a ship's tender from the start because the company was called T.T.Boat designs. ie: T.T. stands for 'Tender To: xyz' that you see yotties paint on their dinghy, and of course the name Nelson is an iconic name in the Navy.
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Aha, here is the answer:

TT Boat Designs Ltd.
Formation of the Company
Keith, Nelson and Company Limited was founded in 1955, followed by T.T. Boat Designs Limited in 1961. This brief history is intended to show what has been acheieved. Keith Butt and Arthur Nelson Compton, who became Foreman for Peter Thornycroft in 1955, employed a small boat building team working locally and built boats under the name Keith, Nelson; it was convenient to adopt this name and form a Limited Comapny. Hence the name Keith, Nelson And Company Limited was adopted for Peter Thornycroft's company.

It became appropriate from then on to use the name Nelson for the whole range of wooden and G.R.P craft designed by T.T. Boat Designs Limited in Bembridge. Originally the Design Company was to be "P.T. Boat Designs Limited", but name "T.T." was adopted when Peter Thornycroft's cousin, Roger Thornycroft, joined him for a short while and the company was registered as T.T. Boat Designs Limited.

TT Boat Designs have designed their renowned Nelson boats for a wide range of commercial and pleasure uses from 18' to 75', and many late eminent naval architects began their careers at TT Boat Designs Limited.

http://www.nelsonboatownersclub.co.uk/ttboatdesigns.html
 
We can see the clear evolution of the Nelson design from a wooden launch in I959, to a GRP ship's tender in the early 1960's, and then a private liesure boat that's has spawned all the Nelson spinoffs we see today.

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Edward Montagu's 1984 Cygnet Nelson 35'
 
Firefly625 said:
http://www.classicoffshore.com/blog/2012/10/11/956/


Knowing one of the guys who was actually on Horatia for the 1969 Round Britain race, and hearing the stories from the race this was an epic achievement. Averaged 28mph over 1400 miles!! Even today that is a heck of a speed.

HORATIA-_1969_.jpg
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Hotaria currently ashore on Hayling Island, John (owner) has engines out and hull is having the hull epoxied and painted, plus some other stuff.

The engines are the original v8 cats, 400hp, 48 valve I think, cranks are a 3 man lift, they are massive.

Expected back in commission next year.
 
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