Barca Amato is an exceptionally crafted slipper launch with plans laid down by Selway Fisher, a well-known designer, and painstakingly built by a very talented chap in South Oxfordshire. He decided to go electric and chose an excellent shaft drive system from the Thames Electric Launch Company with in-built charger and all the necessary instrumentation. Seating for five including two restored original Lloyd Loom chairs with matching Storage Basket and a recently upholstered aft bench and fitted heavy-duty hessian mat. All deck fittings are authentic and functioning.  Built of marine ply with solid Cedar decks and the hull painted Navy Blue, with excellent two-piece storage cover in Sunbrella canvas to match, this is a fine example of an “Andrews” style slipper launch. A bespoke trailer, for very easy launch and recovery is included in the sale.

Comments from the survey done by Colin Henwood when the build was finished include the following:

DESCRIPTION

An open launch in the style of a Thames Slipper, designed by Selway Fisher and built by Mr Doug Battersea. She has a raked stem and the typical “slipper launch” sheerline sloping down to the waterline at the stern block. The hull construction is simple single chine with sawn frames and the hull skin is epoxy bonded and sheathed plywood. The hull is painted up to a varnished sheer rubber and sheer strake. The decks and cockpit are varnished. She is powered by a 3.5Kw 48-volt electrical propulsion system supplied and installed by TELCO (Thames electric launch company).

THE HULL

The hull is substantially constructed with 2 layers of 9mm marine plywood below the waterline and a single layer of 9mm marine plywood above the chine batten. The construction is epoxy bonded throughout, sheathed with glass cloth externally and coated internally. No faults were found in this construction, the quality of the work was good throughout.

The paint finishes below the waterline were in a two-component polyurethane paint to a good standard of finish, it is a finish unsuitable for continuous immersion but is suitable for “trailer-sailing”. Above the waterline the paint was a two-component polyurethane paint to a good standard of finish. The varnished Douglas Fir sheer rubber and Sapele sheer strake were well fitted and finished to a good standard.

THE DECKS

The decks have a Sapele covering board bordering Alaskan Yellow Pine planking with Saba polysulphide caulking compound. No faults were found in the deck construction and the varnish finishes were to a good standard.

THE COCKPIT

The cockpit sides and bulkhead are panelled with Maple beaded lagging with a Sapele trim, coamings and floor. This was well constructed and finished to a good standard.

THE STEERING GEAR

The launch is helmed from the forward port side of the cockpit. The steering wheel operated a push/pull Teleflex system to short tiller on the rudder stock. The system was well installed and operated freely.

SAFETY

The launch was fitted with an automatic bilge pump, this was not tested but was correctly installed. At the time of this inspection the launch did not have a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate and there was no fire extinguisher installed.

THE ROAD TRAILER

The trailer was inspected visually. It was a new twin axle, 1800Kg capacity trailer built by SBS Trailers. The capacity and dimensions suited the launch and no faults were found.

CONCLUSION

The launch has been well built using good quality materials throughout. The construction has departed from the original drawings in respect of the stem profile. This has been carried out successfully and, in my view, improves the appearance of the launch. Although the final details such as the fittings, upholstery and certification for the BSS and RCD were still to be completed the overall appearance of this launch was good.

There is a BSS to 2027 and viewing is with the vendor directly. For more information and to make an appointment to view please call the office on 01491 578870.