Todd Tuna - Any Info

GrowingLad

GrowingLad

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 Jul 2007
Messages
1,710
Location
Zurich, Switzerland
Visit site
Morning All,

Some of you may remember that I was trying to track down the make and model of my boat.

So far I've had a devil's own job, but I have a new lead.

Turns out there is another one just the other side of the Creek which has been confusing people. So I'm told she's a Tod Tuna. This would make sense as she's called Tuna.

Does anyone have any more info?

I've trying to do a search on the Internet and so far I've only found out that Essex Police used to use Todd Tuna's, although from the photos nothing similar to mine.

Thanks in advance,

Simon.
 
Don't know about the Todd Tuna but Todd was until recently the name of a fibreglassing firm here in Weymouth. They built the gondolas for the 2 round the globe hot air balloons a few years ago as well as a lot of RN sonar domes below grey ships. Sadly now closed and a lot of the work force taken on by the new Sunseeker factory on Portland.
John
 
production 1954 to 1970 by W&J Tod of Weymouth. About 300 built in that time.
Shallow vee hull with 2 small bilge keels.
Most earlier boats fitted with twin 30HP Ford Watermota petrol inboard engines. Later models 50 HP Watermotas or 60HP Volvos
Length 20ft 5in
beam 6ft 11in
draught 2 ft

Tuna takes place in hall of fame as first GRP production motorboat.
Info courtesy "25 Years of Motor Cruisers 1960-1984" by Alex McMullen
 
Ah, that's why I couldn't find anything, didn't realise it was W&J Tod.
She's got a shallow V, but no small bilge keels.
She's fitted with Volvo AQ115.
Thanks for the info, I'll carry on investigating.
 
1st versions were quite traditional in appearance but the superstructure was modified fairly shortly and included a flat central window in the forward superstructure and Wrap around corner windows. Also went to a wrap around windscreen.
It had a bigger brother called the Todd Tornado (27ft) which had some success in the Cowes, Torquay, Cowes powerboat race. Well respected hull.
Hull mould was then sold to Colvic and was the basis for the Colvic Traveller.
Sad people on here!!
 
I've posted a couple of phtos before, but I'll drop these two on to make things a bit clearer.

DSC01090a.jpg


DSC02831a.jpg


Appreciate the infomation.

Thanks Simon.
 
Simon, that is definately not a tod tuna. Tuna has very steep bow and very rounded superstructure. Could not see anything that looked right in book, 25 years of motor cruisers. ISBN no 0-7136-3459-6
 
Hi Alan,
I must admit looking at photos I've found on the Internet I was starting to have my doubts, as you mention they all tend to have rounded top sections.
From speaking with a chap from a motor boat club who knew the other boat and the fact that she's called Tuna I thought she might be a Todd Tuna, but it looks like it's back to the drawing board.
We've been through one round of "What's my boat?" before on the forum but I thought I might have stuck lucky today.

Oh well, I may be able to track down the previous owner before my father on my next visit back to the UK so I may pick up the trail again.

Thanks again,

Simon.
 
Simon, Another thought, a magazine called Boat Mart has experts on boat recognition.
I am not sure if they are on-line but worth a look. See if you can buy the book, hence
isbn no. I found mine on Amazon, mail order. Good luck. Alan
 
Now this is a Tod Tuna. The Tornado was its bigger brother/sister and had success also in the round Britain powerboat race.
My Pop used to work for W&J Tod.

Regards

Paul
 
Last edited:
lisa2 said:
i to have a boat like this and have been told that it is a Todd Tuna, who knows.
Click to expand...

Well blow me down with a feather duster...I've just seen my old post has some more info...nearly missed it.

Yep Lisa2 They are the same that's for sure.

Do you have any more history on your boat at all?

What engine and leg have you got?
Mine's a VP AQ115 with a 100 leg....All very simple, a little underpowered but seems to be a sturdy set up...Still going strong for the age.

Any idea what date they were produced, I'm guessing late 60's early 70's but it's all guess work.

If you have a look under my profile you'll see an album...She was in a bit of a mess, but slowly but surely I've got her looking a bit tidier.

Thanks for the link yankeebloke, I'll give Jim a shout.

That's made my morning that has :D
 
I Have no history for it, have only had the boat for just over a year. it had No engine in when i got it although im led to beleive that it was the same as yours.

i have now cut out a transome and fitted a Force 120hp Outboard and she moves well around 25-30 knots

Here are some more pics
 
Tha'ts not a bad speed I reckon a few horses have escaped from my engine over the years. It's meant to have 115 but according to the GPS 20 knots is top speed....with that said I've got a good few years of anti foul on the bottom which I'm currently scrapping off bit by bit...Maybe that might help speed matters a little bit.

From where did you buy the boat? I've seen another one in Benfleet Creek in Essex over at the Motor Boat club.

Looks like the other pics didn't post properly.
 
It is a small world...Funnilly enough I heard about your boat (would have been before you owned her as it was about 2 years ago now) .

I'm pretty certain that they aren't Todd Tuna's. If it had been another boat (i.e. a 3rd one) and the Todd Tuna had been mentioned then there might have been "something" in it. I thnk the chap who said your one was a Todd had spoken to someone who new my boat and that's where the Todd Tuna idea sprang up from.

My boat (was my Dad's) was out of the water on the other side of the Creek. When I first started going back to get her a bit tidied up I popped over and had a look at your one, remember seeing the transom was sealed.

I towed my one out to Greece (where I'm now living) about this time two years ago and spent a fair bit of time getting her tidied up...still a few little jobs to do but she's more or less to the point I wanted.

A few snaps of her on the water:

14112009227.jpg


DSC03368a-1.jpg


14112009230.jpg
 
Paul1962 said:
Now this is a Tod Tuna. The Tornado was its bigger brother/sister and had success also in the round Britain powerboat race.
My Pop used to work for W&J Tod.

Regards

Paul
Click to expand...

I know where there's one of these in a farmyard in Warwickshire, if anyone's interested.
Don't know what actual condition is - I'll have a closer look next time I'm visiting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top