1929 David Hillyard Gentleman’s Motor Boat

Iere is a distinguished 45 ft gentleman’s cruiser, originally built in 1929 by David Hillyard of Littlehampton for the owner of Wills Cigarettes. Her elegant profile, fine proportions and understated character place her firmly among the classic early-20th-century motor launches.

Her history adds quiet intrigue. During the Second World War she served as an auxiliary vessel on estuary patrol duty and is recorded as having brought down a Junkers 88 on the River Medway, the original gun casings still accompanying her today.

Over the past fifteen years Iere has undergone a complete and meticulously executed rebuild by Priors Boatyard, Burnham-on-Crouch. The work has been extensive, renewing her structure while preserving the integrity of her design. She now benefits from:

… New teak decks
… New oak stem and stern posts
… New electrical systems
… New Vetus 80 hp twin diesel engines, with only 150 hours each
… A newly fitted galley
… A new wet-room shower and toilet
… Fresh internal fit-out throughout

Her hull is the classic combination of pitch-pine planking on oak frames, now externally sheathed in a modern protective coating for longevity and ease of maintenance. The result is a vessel that offers the grace of a gentleman’s cruiser with the reassurance of modern systems and reliability.

Dimensions
LOA: 45.2 ft
Beam: 10.9 ft
Draft: 4.5 ft
British Part I Registered – Official Number 160287

Iere presents today as a rare opportunity: a beautifully rebuilt vintage coastal and river cruiser, combining provenance, refinement and practical usability. She is currently lying in Falmouth and available for viewing by appointment.