Tracing a James Silver '51, m/y Ilonda (ormidale)

luklouis

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Hi!

M/Y Ilonda is one of the last remaining James Silver Ormidale Yachts, build in 1951 by John Bain at the Roseneath yard, Dumbartonshire. She was the winner of the premier trophy in European waters, the Pavillion d’or. After a refit of 4 years, she has regain her unique beauty. July 2011 she will celebrate her 60th anniversary in best condition. For that occasion, I’m searching for all possible memorabilia (documents, pictures, etc) to complete the puzzle of m/y Ilonda’s past. Anyone who can help me finding the old treasures of this unique boat, can contact me via this site: http://myilonda.tumblr.com/

Thank you for helping or forwarding this message,

LL.
 

ccscott49

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Hello,
she is not as rare as you seem to think, there are at least 12 other ormidales afloat and well, in the 57' range alone, plus another few in the 65-72' range, to my limited knowledge.
There were not that many built, dont know exactly.
I dont think your vessel is an ormidale actually, I think she may well be a brown owl class.

I dont know anything about your boat, sorry, but she does look in magnificent condition, well done! Where did you get your portlights re-chromed?

I'm not sure if the website mentioned, is still in operation, havent seen anything new on there for a long time.
Have a look at Yachtworld.com, to see three ornidales for sale in the meddy, there are three more here in Greece, (one I'm moored next to, Silver Modesty) that I know of and at least four more in UK waters, two more in Spanish waters.

By the way Englander is not a silver, or an ormidale, but a one off design by John Bain.
 
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scottie

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You could try Harry Henderson of Henderson the jewellers Glasgow
I believe she was built for his father as was a later boat with the same name
 
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luklouis

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Thank you for your kind answers. The Silver website mentioned, does not function any more, unfortunately.

She is indeed an original Ormidale. The whole restoration, included the portholes, was done in Stettin, Poland.
 

pyrojames

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Thank you for your kind answers. The Silver website mentioned, does not function any more, unfortunately.

She is indeed an original Ormidale. The whole restoration, included the portholes, was done in Stettin, Poland.

Certainly not a Brown Owl. If I remember tomight I shall dig out my book on the Silver yard and see what it has to say.
 

ccscott49

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Certainly not a Brown Owl. If I remember tomight I shall dig out my book on the Silver yard and see what it has to say.

Having had a better look, I also think she is not a brown owl, but I suppose they could have made an ormidale without a wheelhouse and the steering position in the saloon, but I must adfmit, I have never seen such a beast.

Having investigated further, she is of the ormidale "type" hull. But differs, in fact being more like my hull with a single large rudder, well aft, located on the end of the keel, which reaches to the sternpost. Nice to see different layouts on similar hulls. All the Bain signals are there, window shapes, chairs etc. She looks magnificent, where is she now?
 
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cavitation

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Is it an Ormidale?

The superstructure does not seem right for an Ormidale. The Ormidales which I saw being built at Rosneath, all had a raised wheelhouse above the deck saloon and were closer to 58 feet. This was the more usual boats built at Roseneath. However if you were to add a wheel house, then it would follow the John Bain concept exactly.

http://www.silvermya.demon.co.uk/ormidale.html

You have a wonderful boat, enjoy it.

PS, I have a reprint of Silver Clyde launched 1955 which I would be happy to email it to you if you wish to PM me with an email address
 
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