A 40ft Bates Starcraft

What can I say about this exceptional Bates Starcraft which was found on the River Severn by HSC for a customer who had fallen in love with New Venture and decided he must have a similar boat ? We found a slightly neglected Starcraft on the River Severn. At the time she had no flying bridge and a pair of rather smoky engines. The purchaser took her first of all to Classic Boatworks in Norfolk where any structural problems were rectified. Rupert Latham then set about refurbishing the interior with the aid of the surveyor John Tough who followed every stage of the rebuild.

The following winter, after a summer of cruising, the owner decided to go a stage further and add a flying bridge with the controls duplicated for full control from either position. At this point Rupert Latham was downsizing so Rajdhani went up the slipway at Dennetts in Chertsey and the final modifications were completed. Two years into his ownership a pair of new Nanni diesel engines were fitted to complete the rebuild. Needless to say this owner spent several hundreds of thousands on the boat and was proud of the result.
Under his ownership the boat was made available to HSC on the river Thames for selected charter clients and we had a few very successful Henley Regatta charters with skipper, crew and on board chef.

The current equally fastidious owner is on the south coast where she enjoys pottering about in Chichester Harbour. Now helming solo she is looking to downsize to a dayboat. However the Bates Starcrafts were designed to go to sea and her sister ships New Venture and others have traversed the Channel on many occasions to participate in events in Belgium and France. Wherever your chosen cruising ground Rajdhani is sure to turn heads and to offer the owner very comfortable facilities and contemporary technical gear for long periods spent on board.

There is so much to love about Rajdhani. One of the improvements I feel that the owner has made with her shipwright Tim is to remove varnish from the teak decks as this was dangerous at sea. Frankly I think that the overall effect is charming with the contrast between the oiled teak and the varnished wheelhouse in evidence.

Internally there is a burgundy colour scheme with inlaid woods, leather sofas, fabulous heads with showers, comfortable sleeping for four, a really useful and spacious galley with cooking facilities, freezer and fridge. Air conditioning and heating come as standard as does Wifi, Ipad connections, TV screens etc.Viewing is afloat currently on the Birdham mooring which may be available to a new owner. A full length cover protects Rajdhani in all weathers.

Rajdhani is truly a Thames 'superyacht' as once described by Boat International.

Please give Gillian a call at the office on 01491 578870 and a viewing can be arranged.