Please can you help identify this Launch.

whiteshythe

whiteshythe

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 Dec 2009
Messages
173
Location
Hythe Marina Village
Visit site
My wife and I have spent the last two years restoring 'Fossil' a pretty 17ft Harbour Launch. We found her for sale in poor condition at the Chandlery Barge on the Hamble. The previous owner was unsure as to her age or history. Construction is wood sheathed in glass fibre. Originally fitted with an inboard petrol engine, she is now powered by a Yanmar 1GM10 diesel. I saw a very similar boat on a swinging mooring in Falmouth, but could not get close enough to verify if it was identical. Have we got a one off custom built launch, or one of a series. Does anyone know who might have built her? Any information will be gratefully received.
 

Attachments

  • DSC07733.jpg
    DSC07733.jpg
    188 KB · Views: 1
  • Fossil_033.jpg
    Fossil_033.jpg
    205.1 KB · Views: 1
  • Fossil_038.jpg
    Fossil_038.jpg
    200.5 KB · Views: 1
Pretty boat. Chances of finding the builder are pretty slim. Usually such boats had a small brass plaques on the transom with the builders name on it. However there was never any compulsion to have an identity on a boat. This sort of boat was staple business for small jobbing boat builders all around the country, although somebody has put the time, effort and money into giving it a "yacht" finish rather than the usual plain workboat, although pity about the GRP sheathing. Personally I would not get too worked up about finding the builder. Just look after it and enjoy it!
 
What is the original construction method? I did a load of work in 85 on a very similar launch that was built by Fairey Marine, she wasnt hot moulded but was cold molded using UF glue & was getting a bit ropey by then.
 
Keith 66 said:
What is the original construction method? I did a load of work in 85 on a very similar launch that was built by Fairey Marine, she wasnt hot moulded but was cold molded using UF glue & was getting a bit ropey by then.
Click to expand...

Hi Keith,

Thanks for the steer towards Fairey Marine. After considerable research, I am now certain that 'Fossil' is a Fairey Marine Faun, built around 1960 and originally fitted with a Morris Vedette inboard petrol engine. will be contacting the Fairey Owners Club for further information about this lovely little launch.
Regards Steve.

I
 
I didn't think she is a Faun (I've got one) when I looked at the pics. Too much sheer and the forefoot the wrong shape. Also, very rare to see a Fairey covered in GRP, the hot moulded hulls are so tough its rarely been required.

Plus faun is 16ft 6", not 17ft.

How is she constructed?

BTW - I'm Commodore of Fairey Owners Club, if she is a Fairey, they would be very welcome to join the club.

As you are in Hythe, do you know John Boggis? He has more than one Fairey and is based in Hythe, he might be able tell you if its a Faun. If not I'm in Cowes, pop over and I'll have a look!
 
Last edited:
The one i worked on was definately 17ft, she had a Fairey marine builders plate & was fitted with a Vedette engine, I did repairs to her hull where she was starting to delaminate, she appeared to have been cold molded using urea formaldehyde glue, there were noticeable white glue lines & the glue was begining to show its age, there was much evidence of staple holes from her construction so im pretty sure she wasnt a hot molded hull , The photo was taken in my old workshop at Hadleigh in Essex in 1985 Her owner lived in Old Leigh, after all this work he just abandoned her until i believe she was burnt about ten years ago.Fairey launch.jpg
 
Hi Keith,
Thanks for your input and photo. Was the boat in the photo burnt deliberately, if so how very sad.
After a lot of research and help from members of the Fairey Marine Owners Club, I have just this evening established that my launch 'Fossil' is most probably a Fairey Marine Convertible, built around 1950 and originally fitted with a Morris Vedette engine. She was called a 'Convertible' as she could be fitted with a detachable cabin top, although Fossil does not have this option. I know of only one other surviving example of 'The Convertible' called Sirena on the Thames at Marlow. What a pity we couldn't make it three. If there are any other examples of this lovely little 16'6" launch please get in touch.
 
whiteshythe said:
Hi Keith,
Thanks for your input and photo. Was the boat in the photo burnt deliberately, if so how very sad.
After a lot of research and help from members of the Fairey Marine Owners Club, I have just this evening established that my launch 'Fossil' is most probably a Fairey Marine Convertible, built around 1950 and originally fitted with a Morris Vedette engine. She was called a 'Convertible' as she could be fitted with a detachable cabin top, although Fossil does not have this option. I know of only one other surviving example of 'The Convertible' called Sirena on the Thames at Marlow. What a pity we couldn't make it three. If there are any other examples of this lovely little 16'6" launch please get in touch.
Click to expand...

When I read this, I scoured the yard for the 'convertible' bit of Helonaki which had been lying around for years. Sadly, looking at the history of Sirena, it is one and the same boat and probably would have gone with the sale. I had thought that it had been built for a trip across the North Sea early in its life.
 
Last edited:
whiteshythe said:
My wife and I have spent the last two years restoring 'Fossil' a pretty 17ft Harbour Launch. We found her for sale in poor condition at the Chandlery Barge on the Hamble. The previous owner was unsure as to her age or history. Construction is wood sheathed in glass fibre. Originally fitted with an inboard petrol engine, she is now powered by a Yanmar 1GM10 diesel. I saw a very similar boat on a swinging mooring in Falmouth, but could not get close enough to verify if it was identical. Have we got a one off custom built launch, or one of a series. Does anyone know who might have built her? Any information will be gratefully received.
Click to expand...

Humm well if of a Fairy design and build she really does look great, a Real boaty design and build well proportioned vessel cherish her (envy)
 
Re the one at Leigh, after i worked on it she went back to her mooring of the cocklesheds at leigh & the owner never touched her again, she basically rotted away on the mooring. I was told she was burnt as too far gone to restore.
 
Keith 66 said:
The one i worked on was definately 17ft, she had a Fairey marine builders plate & was fitted with a Vedette engine, I did repairs to her hull where she was starting to delaminate, she appeared to have been cold molded using urea formaldehyde glue, there were noticeable white glue lines & the glue was begining to show its age, there was much evidence of staple holes from her construction so im pretty sure she wasnt a hot molded hull , The photo was taken in my old workshop at Hadleigh in Essex in 1985 Her owner lived in Old Leigh, after all this work he just abandoned her until i believe she was burnt about ten years ago.View attachment 65293
Click to expand...

Hello Keith,
How sad that the boat that you worked on in 1985 and from your picture looks in fine condition, was allowed to rot away on a mooring and then burnt. I wonder how many other examples have suffered a similar fate.
You say that she had a Fairey Marine makers plate, do you remember the Build Number by any chance.
Regrettably, 'Fossil' does not have any identification, but 'Sirena' is No:-3. I wonder how many Convertibles were built?
 
Thank you all for your input and help into "identifying my launch" 'Fossil' as a Fairey Marine 'Convertible'.
Both positive and negative 'posts' were of great help.
I have also been in contact with a number of knowledgeable people behind the scenes.
Although I have not been able to find any official Fairey production records, I have found out that ''Convertibles'
were produced at Hamble from around 1949 until at least 1952, maybe later. Six examples were built for the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and a few more for the home market. It is possible that 'Fossil' is one of those six having been used as a tender aboard a super yacht which later returned to the UK.
True or not, it makes for a good story.
Regards, Steve.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top