An Andrews 25ft slipper stern launch which has been maintained over the years by its two owners, one of whom is now the President of the Thames Vintage Boat Club and of course Swanella bears proof of this with its membership plate. It is the boat, rather than the owner, which has the right to be a member of this wonderful Thames based organisation, with its annual jamboree, the Thames Traditional Boat Festival, held in mid July annually at Fawley meadows in Henley on Thames. Swanella was originally sold in 1998 presumably for its first owner, at the Henley Traditional Boat Auction, started by Phillips auctioneers and later taken over by Bonhams.

Andrews boathouses were several locks down river from Henley in Bourne End and finally closed their doors in the late nineteen sixties after the death of Mr Andrews and when his widow could no longer manage the yard. A full history of any boat from the Andrews boatyard can be obtained through Mr. Neil Garside who has all the archives, having himself worked there until the very end. We can put you in touch with Neil for more information.

There was a choice with the interior on any slipper launch built by Andrews and Swanella has the forward bench which can seat three rather than the two lloyd loom chairs. A new owner could of course choose to replace the bench with a pair of chairs if preferred. Another slight difference between this particular model and say Windflower, also for sale through HSC, is the fixed box aft of the bench which acts as a table and used to have a fridge inside.

The owners have two sets of cushions, the cream and brown vinyl originals and a set of burgundy acrylic cushions ('for best').

Overwintered at our boat store each year the boat will be for sale with an optional summer mooring in the Sonning area with a current BSS certificate and EA licence. There is also a full length cover to protect the varnish as well as a pramhood which folds down aft and a cockpit tonneau to cover the seating area only.

The owner has his eye on a larger boat to accommodate his growing family so is keen to sell Swanella to an enthusiastic new owner.