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This is the time of year when our thoughts turn to family and friends. Whilst we know "'Tis the season to be jolly," there will always be some empty spaces around the table, filled by cherished memories of Christmases past rather than loved ones incarnate.
Sadly, there will be no Christmas gift from California in my mailbox this year as our West Coast Thames vintage boat collector, Vicky Fash, passed away this October.
I met Vicky shortly after she had taken enforced retirement from her jet-setting life for health reasons. Having purchased a property with two acres and a large stretch of riverbank near Bray, her new passion became boating. Over time, she proceeded to build an impressive fleet of five boats, each of which was electric or electrified at her request.
I may have mentioned in a previous newsletter some years ago that I was asked to go and collect her prizes at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival one year. Some joker on the prize-giving committee announced the award for 'Humble' and Ms Flash (instead of Fash). However when she and her magnificent fleet departed for the Californian coast as a result of her worsening health problems, her panache and extravagance left a hole. This was particularly so for me as we were firm friends, and she was a great supporter of my business.
Just a couple of anecdotes: one about our extraordinary trip to Scotland when we flew by private jet to Inverness for a day of castle shopping, borne aloft from one location to the next by helicopter. While this might have been routine for Vicky, for me it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Another less exotic moment was when Vicky and I were cruising the Henley regatta course on board 'Viola', her Taylor Bates open launch, and the boat stopped dead surrounded by impatient skippers. Quick as a "flash," I spotted the culprit: a shirt wrapped around the prop. Fortunately we two ladies in our large hats were scooped up by a passing EA launch and elegantly towed to Hambleden Lock.
Vicky faced the immense challenge of a debilitating, degenerative spine disease with incredible courage. Although her condition made travelling impossible, we stayed in touch through email which allowed us to maintain our connection despite the distance.
Now Vicky's beloved boats are returning to the UK, as in her will she requested that I repatriate both 'Humble' and her Dunkirk Little Ship 'Lady Isabelle' to find new homes for them here.
'Natasha' is another treasure that Vicky owned some years ago. It was electrified by Classic Boat Works in Norfolk. This very rare and beautiful Belle Époque gentleman's launch, with exquisite stained glass windows throughout, is also for sale through HSC.
Vicky’s legacy lives on, not just in the beautiful boats she cared for but also in the memories she left with those who knew her. Her favourite saying was "If wishes were fishes, we would all cast nets" and she did just that, casting her net far and wide, and filling it with extraordinary experiences, cherished friendships, and a lasting love of the river.
You can read more about her remarkable life in her obituaries in The London Times and The New York Times.
Another of our jet-setting newsletter followers has sent across some photos of his stay last week in Dubai on board the 'Queen Elizabeth 2', which he said made a very pleasant change from the shiny tower blocks we associate with Dubai.
The 'QE 2' is a historic ocean liner built in 1967 and designed to serve as both a transatlantic liner and a cruise ship. She was the flagship of the Cunard Line for nearly 40 years, renowned for her luxury and speed during a time when air travel was becoming increasingly popular.
Throughout its operational lifetime the 'QE 2' travelled over 6 million miles and carried more than 2.5 million passengers, establishing itself as an iconic vessel in maritime history. It served various roles, notably being requisitioned as a troopship during the 1982 Falklands War.
After retiring from active service in 2008, the 'QE 2' was restored to her original magnificence, following millions of dollars of investment. She now serves as a unique hotel and entertainment venue at Mina Rashid marina, offering a glimpse into maritime history along with dining and event facilities.
If you fancy a night or two of period glamour you could stay on board the 'QE 2' like our reader whom we thank for the photos. There is still time to book their New Year's Eve event!
Another collector with a penchant for vintage transport of all kinds recently reached out to share with us the history of his ownership of a charming early slipper launch by the name of 'Cygnet II'.
He writes: "I purchased the craft as a barn find in Cambridge in the late 1970s for £150. The engine, an early marinised Morris Bullnose from the 1920s, spread over the floor. I took the boat (and the engine) home, restored it and christened it 'Cygnet II'. She became our pub transport on the Great River Ouse in Cambridgeshire for several years.
I joined the TVBC as one of the founder members. When attending an early TVBC rally with 'Cygnet', the late Peter Freebody inspected her in great detail declaring she was one of the very early slippers, possibly constructed on The Broads. She was completely original, right down to the horsehair-filled cushions, which we had overcovered.
I later purchased a second vintage craft and sold 'Cygnet' at a Thames Traditional Boat Festival to a London architect.
Though her appearance has evolved through the restoration efforts of subsequent owners over the years, I’m so glad to see that she is still on the water today."
This is the joy of historic craft where provenance means so much.
As it happens subsequent owners became good personal friends of mine and I ended up selling their boat to its current owner who, having loved the boat and maintained it well for nearly 15 years, has now entrusted HSC with finding the next owner, or should I say custodian.
Speaking of history and ownership, I have, myself, recently purchased a lovely teak Admiralty pinnace which I first presented for sale at the Earls Court Boat Show in 1990 (100 years after her original build date). At that time she had a steam plant and the owner named her 'Impulse' as this reflected his mood when he bought it.
This photo shows us passing through Hambleden Lock on her maiden voyage later that year, as we teach the new owner how to manage his new steam launch, although I am frankly unrecognisable. Truly, I don’t suit a fringe!
Then, 15 years ago, a couple of owners down the line, 'Impulse' reappeared on my horizon. She was re-engined at Hambleden Marina before being renamed 'Spirit X'.
I am now the proud new owner of this lovely canopied launch which will be available for hire for weddings, birthdays and happy events from The Great House in Sonning in 2025.
The photograph of Heather and I that signs off this newsletter was taken at the annual Laying-Up Supper of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) at the magnificent Lincoln’s Inn Old Hall.
Heather has owned the Dunkirk Little Ship 'Gay Venture' for many years and she has been active in the ADLS her whole life. 'Gay Venture' is to be seen at every ADLS outing and has plenty of room on board for the junior Dennetts.
If you would like to become a part of this prestigious organisation we currently have four members of the fleet for sale including, 'Mary Scott', 'Janthea', 'Lazy Days', and of course 'Lady Isabelle' (seen at the beginning of this newsletter). Heather would be delighted to view any of the above with you whenever convenient.
If sea-going motor yachts are your thing, then do consider making an offer on 'Albaquila' whose owner is keen to sell due to ill health.
This fine example of a Littlehampton classic was built by William Osborne. Like many 20th-century boat builders, Osborne began life in 1912 building motor car bodies and then decided to expand into boatbuilding after receiving an order from the Sussex Motor Yacht Club.
Regular readers may remember the magnificent Dennetts rebuild of 'Breda' whose owner became enamoured of classic boats via his Osborne named 'Little Ann II'.
'Albaquila' is a couple of feet shorter than 'Breda' and has excellent onboard accommodation. Her boat builder owner managed to successfully combine some contemporary touches, such as the fantastic galley space, with some interesting original features.
A lot is happening at HSC as I'm sure you have gathered by now. Not only have ownership and roles on the brokerage side changed and shifted, but our boatyard at Beale Park is also undergoing a spruce-up and additional office space is being created on-site.
For Christmas why not buy yourself a new drill or better still book your boat into our revamped workshop facility at Beale Park where you can be assured of a top-quality job for your precious floating pride and joy.
As the year draws to a close, we’d like to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for all things boating. It’s been a year of growth, exciting changes and memorable projects; and we couldn’t have done it without you.
From all of us here at Henley Sales and Charter, we wish you
a joyful Christmas and a magnificent New Year
filled with smooth waters, fair winds, and new adventures.
