Yachts designed by FBR Browne

[ponapay]

I am trying to find some information about this designer.

I had a delightful 6 tonner designed by him and built by Kings at Burnham-on-Crouch. She is a lovely boat, sailed like a witch and was beautifully built. I understand that 6 of the class were built and that he designed others similar but larger.

Does anyone have any info?

ponapay

 

[Mirelle]

Well, this is the little that I can add.

The late Peter Brown (no relation) once told me that in his opinion (and Peter was a very sound designer of classical looking boats) FBR Brown (not sure if Brown or Browne) was an amateur designer, but that he was quite an outstanding talent and unduly neglected.

There is a 10 tonner by him in Graham and Tew's "Manual for small yachts" which looks absolutely ravishing.

Do let me know if you find out more.

 

[Guest]

I have a boat designed by Buster Brown: Nereis of 1936. We're planning to run something on him in the forgotten designers series (John Leather) early next year - probably after a piece on Dan Webb who was Maldon's (one of Maldon's) great builder(s).
Why not send in some pix; I'll be looking for news of other Brown boats: Mindy, Galloper etc, around Christmas time.

 

[Mirelle]

Maldon\'s great builder

was certainly not Dan Webb, who was more of a production line engineer.

Maldon's great builder was John Howard. An article on him would be worth reading. But carry on with the Brown article!

 

[Guest]

Re: Maldon\'s great builder

Well if I am right then a history of Dan Webb would include John Howard - the same yard wasn't it? Maybe even a first part feature. Here's a question: Are there any John Howard boats still afloat?

 

[Mirelle]

Re: Maldon\'s great builder

Yes.

First, the smacks, with acknowledgements to Roger's splendid website:

"Fairy" MN1, 32ft smack, now based Dartmouth

"Maud" - MN69, 37ft smack, now based Enkhuisen

"Polly", FD 44, 33ft smack, now based Mistley

"Skylark", CK 328 35 ft smack, now based Yarmouth IOW

"Victory" (smack, but no number now) 36ft, now at Heybridge

"William" LO 111, 36ft smack, now at Brightlingsea

Now the barges, and the finest extant barge, MIROSA, was built by Howard in 1892. Now based at Iron Wharf, Faversham.

"Oak", of 1881 is apparently being restored.

"Thoma 2" - barge yacht, now a motor yacht, is I think in the Med though I saw her at St Katherines a few years ago.

Yachts - my Lloyd's, of 1977, lists Fortuna, 6 tons, Playmate, 12T, Ripple, 25T. and Scoter, 14T. I saw Scoter in woodbridge a year or two back.

Enough to get started?

 

[PBrooks]

I had a yacht designed by FBR Browne. 28ft 5 tonne teak sloop called Amble. Lovely boat, which I much regret selling...
Built by Wm Kings in 1958 / 59, so pretty similar to yours, though I guess a bit smaller. I believe two were built of Amble's design, the first being commissioned by Amble's first owner, a Mr Myers.

Somewhere I have a magazine article from the 1960's about her and it probably has a bit about the designer. If you're interested I'll try and find it and fax / scan.

Best regards Paul