RLM Marine Ltd. Info/history help

[Actionmat]

Hi,
I'm a happy owner of a 1970 RLM Bahama and I'd love to find out more about the company that built it and the boats they made, how long they were in business for and production figures etc.

There's a scan of the original brochure at http://www.leomagill.co.uk/ which advertises boats from 27 to 43ft. Has anyone seen a 43ft RLM before? I'm intrigued to see what it looked like.

Did the RLM31 become the Princess32, or was that the Project ? I'd really appreciate any info members, owners or former owners could share.
Thankyou

Mat

 

[oldgit]

Might be worth posting this on the Thames Forum as well.

 

[Chris_d]

Marine Projects (Which became Princess) built the Project 31, moulds sold to Senior Marine and RLM of the orignal while Marine Projects rebranded it as the Princess 32 with a new supertructure, RLM 27 was a cut'n shut 31. The same hull was also stretched to 33 with an aft cabin. Never heard of a 43 though. be interested to know what it was based on.

 

[macnorton]

Marine projects bought Senior mouldings until 1969 when they started moulding there own, they then built the Princess 32 (same hull new top).
The Senior hull was based on a stretched widened Elisian 27.
The quickest way to distinguish is the rlm has portholes under the bow and the project has rebates in the toe rail to fit stantion posts, the Project has deep moulded keels and a thicker layup while the rlm has shallow timber keels.
The Senior has the keels the particular builder fitted.

 

[mad_boater]

I had the same boat as yours for a few years.It had Perkins 4108's with Enfield legs.I did a restoration job on it,though not as extensive as yours.It was my second boat, having owned a Nauticus 27 before.I thought it was real boat and used it on the Thames Dartmouth and river Severn.The RLM was the owner of the company that built them.Ronald Lesley Maskel and I think they were based in Chertsey.As you say they built 27ft Seyshells, 31ft Bahama, 33ft Entice.One thing I was anoyed about was that all the screws used in its manufacture were 'sheradised'. A process where they coated the steel screws with zinc.not a good idea in a boat.It cost me a fortune in brass screws.I also replaced both engines as the old ones were only raw water cooled and had rusted away from the inside.I got them from a comercial van breakers they were Transit engines.
I hope you enjoy your boat as I did many years ago.

 

[Actionmat]

That's great, I wondered what the initials stood for. I reused a lot of the old screws as most of mine were stainless, except for the cockpit which was 'sheridised' and rotten. Two things I've learnt today, cheers!

We love her, she's the perfect boat for our needs and this year has been even more enjoyable after the renovations. It's a nice feeling when you get to know your own boat inside and out too.

 

[superheat6k]

Photos ? Would love to see what She looks like. Marine Projects also moulded the fabulous Sigma range of yachts.

 

[Actionmat]

I'll try and post a couple of pictures from my iPad. How do you post an image on this forum using photobucket?

 

[Old Boat Builder]

I was involved in the building of RLM Cruisers from their start in 1967 to their closure in 1982. It all began because Mr. Maskell wanted a new boat of his own and he had joiners in his other businesses. From one boat it grew to two and then four and finally RLM Cruisers became a business with a vast turnover and a great export business to Scandinavia. I have many happy memories of days at Penton Hook Marina Boatyard meeting customers of a weekend and discussing how they would like their boats build. Although there were some standard designs most of the boats were individually built to suit whatever the customer wanted and they were invited to view the boat each weekend as it made progress.

Oh happy days

 

[mercuryman]

Hi the RLM and Marine projects were based on the Senior marine hull built at Kemps Quay in Southampton.
I have all the sales and brochures for these and Im based in the laminating shed where they were built.

Nothing on the RLM though but info on the Senior models

 

[Old Boat Builder]

Yes, most of the RLM boats were built on Senior Hulls & Superstructures. The 31' was the start, which was used by Marine Projects as well, and then the 32' aft cabin and aft cockpit. This then progressed to the 33' which had a flush deck aft cabin - I think it was a stretched version of the 32'. The 27' was a cut back version of the 31'. We also built one 34' which was on a Seamaster hull and superstructure and then of course our 43'.

I cannot recall what moulding we used for this but I do recall it was an excellent sea going craft. With a round bilge at the stern and a medium vee at the front it was capable of comfortable speeds in excess of 22 knots.

You must have known what was then a young Robert Kemp. I recall him designing a very fast day boat at one point and exhibiting it on our stand at the London Boat Show. He was very proud of this boat until someone pointed out that you couldn't put it into reverse because there was no room to pull the single lever controls back. We all had a good laugh at that one and I think only one potential customer actually noticed the fault so nothing was lost.

 

[MapisM]

How do you post an image on this forum using photobucket?

With the following syntax:

 

[mercuryman]

Hi Knew senior partially as I was young.....he didnt like kids lol. I know Bob Kemp junior who is now senior well as I pay him rent.

My father owns one of the last Senior 31's built for the harbour board to charter the area when the container berth was being built in the docks.

Did you build Frank Verrils 32 that he did the Cowes Torquay in???

 

[Elessar]

I'll try and post a couple of pictures from my iPad. How do you post an image on this forum using photobucket?

looks superb!

 

[itchenseadog]

Hi Knew senior partially as I was young.....he didnt like kids lol. I know Bob Kemp junior who is now senior well as I pay him rent.

My father owns one of the last Senior 31's built for the harbour board to charter the area when the container berth was being built in the docks.

Did you build Frank Verrils 32 that he did the Cowes Torquay in???

We used to maintain Frank Verrill's "Pippiri II" for many years until he sold it. The Ford Sabres were always blowing turbo's and the engines were eventually downrated. He once shipped a "green" wave over the bow which broke the forward coachroof window and swamped the interior - an expensive insurance claim. The wooden keel was always a bit flimsy and care had to be taken when lifting the boat out of the water.
Always got on well with Bob Kemp senior !

 

[Actionmat]

looks superb!

Thanks! A lot of sweat's gone into that

 

[barryassheton]

Hi the RLM and Marine projects were based on the Senior marine hull built at Kemps Quay in Southampton.
I have all the sales and brochures for these and Im based in the laminating shed where they were built.

Nothing on the RLM though but info on the Senior models

Hi, Sorry to jump in on this thread but mercuryman you say you have information on the Senior models. I have just purchased a Senior 31 that needs a refit, I would be very grateful of any information that would aid me in restoring and adding to her.

Thanks Baz

 

[leomagill]

Hi all, can't beat dragging up an old thread.....
Just come across this thread, glad to see someone's made use of my webpage and very interested to hear info from the original builders of my own RLM 31, I've been told the name on mine was sign written at the factory, don't suppose anyone can enlighten me about Leo Magill's origins by any chance?
Mine may well be put up for sale in the near future as I'm looking for something faster with better sea-keeping but I will miss Leo when it happens, done a lot of miles in her and had a good few adventures.
Dave.

 

[PCUK]

I had a Senior 31 (Blue Maroy) that I rebuilt in the 70s. Two were entered in the 1969 Round Britain Power Boat Race with big (for then) engines under the Name Ford-Power or similar. I heard that they started receiving extensive damage on the first leg and were withdrawn. My 31 took me across the channel on many occasions with her awful 4107s so no worries about high speed hull damage!

 

[Ecquitee]

Just read all the posts here as I’m a proud RLM 32 Entice owner, currently on the hard standing at Penton Hook not 25m away from where she was built in the old hanger.
I tried to start up a RLM owners club back in 2002 but no interest – I’ve learned loads about the boat since and I’ve upgraded her a number of time since I’ve owned her – she’s going through another upgrade now.

Original built as the John William in 1976, she was after a time sold to a Company that made electric motors and her name changed to Electro Mare. The latter had her moored in Poole Harbour for some time and then sold her to me in July 1999 – I changed her name to Ecquitee because I took money from the house to buy it and the original Equity was already Pt1.

She has Kemp, fully planning V hull used for the around Britain Powerboat Races in the 60’s. RLM originally fitted 2.5 BMC’s with Enfield drives, I changed the engines in 2001 to Peugeot 1.7 Turbo diesels still on Enfield’s. The Enfield‘s were very ‘brittle’ when it came to the steering arms, OK for rivers and canals but not reliable enough for Estuary or indeed, coastal work with a nearly 8T boat. In 2004 I bought a pair of Volvo 290’s complete and married these to the Peugeot’s – a good and very reliable match until in 2011 I found a pair of Volvo AD41’s c/w 290 DP drives. Just like the Peugeot’s they were completely stripped, assessed and re-assembled with new parts fitted where required. WOW! I’ve never powered up her beyond 30 knots – but there’s lots left.

I’ve upgraded and re-configured the Saloon over time, refurbished (removed) the wooden wheelhouse, complete rewire and now I’ve just replaced some of the Eroko handrails and I’m TekDek-ing the walkways and bathing platform.


I’ve had this boat in all weathers and I must say it’s kept us safe – We’ve stayed faithful to her as she’s been to us. What a great boat.