Call: 01491 578 870 | [email protected]
Now that the winter months are giving way to milder days and the sun is starting to show its face, we have high hopes for a marvellous boating season this year.
As the river comes to life with the first signs of spring, it's the perfect time for boat maintenance. With winter covers off, consider refreshing your boat with a fresh coat of antifoul or a new top coat of varnish.
The yard at Beale Park is a hive of activity at the moment as the recent good weather has encouraged boaters to curtail their winter storage and get their boat afloat.
Andrew and the team have been preparing 'Sauzon', a beautiful clinker dinghy, for the season ahead.
For all your maintenance needs, or if you're looking to get your boat on the water, please get in touch with Regine at [email protected], we're here to help.
'Verity' the elegant beaver tail saloon launch, found a new home last year and is now undergoing an incredible restoration at Dennetts in Chertsey. We can't wait to see her grace the river once again this season.
Meanwhile, another stunning beaver tail has just hit the market - 'Evensong' (renamed 'Miss Goodnight') a 40ft beauty, built by Taylor Bates of Chertsey. She's a fine example of these unique and rare British river boats, combining timeless craftsmanship with classic charm.
W Bates & Son was formed in 1934. During the war with over 150 employees, air sea rescue vessels, sea plane tenders and the like were built for the MOD. The British market had been flooded with American light craft, and inspired by this, Bates was determined to create a British counterpart to compete.
After spending the latter part of the war years quietly reflecting on how to design a better boat at a lower cost, a new design was developed. Focused on speed, Bates was committed to perfecting the design. To ensure its excellence and for expert advice, the design was taken to Fred Cooper, the renowned designer behind the famous 'Miss England' hydroplanes.
Side note: 'Miss England' was featured at last year’s Trad Festival after a restoration at Abbey Boat Builders in Norfolk. A truly rare and almost forgotten gem in the vintage boat world, these hydroplanes are a remarkable piece of high-speed history.
Just after the war, the famous and now classic Star Craft Boats went into production.
Initially, Bates thought he’d have to start his new fleet as hire craft due to a lack of market demand. So, he built a handful of 25-foot boats and began renting them out. However, before he had even finished half a dozen, more than half were sold.
In 1946, people were paying staggering amounts to try and import American light cruisers. Anyone could acquire one and then sell it for up to seven times the price Bates was asking. When they discovered how affordable his boats were, priced at just £200-£300, they flocked to him in droves. Production never stopped, and over one hundred Star Craft were built.
Next came the task of choosing a name for the fleet. Inspired by "White Star Line," Bates’ wife Beryl proposed something simpler: "What about stars? What better name could there be?" The first boat was named 'Silver Star', followed by 'Evening Star', 'Golden Star', 'White Star', and more. As the hire fleet grew to two dozen, the Bates team turned to a book on astronomy to keep the naming fresh, selecting every 'star' name they could think of. A star synonymous with the upper reaches of the Thames was born and remains a shining example of British craftsmanship to this day.
We have a 40 footer in excellent condition, as well as a rarer 45ft Starcraft that could use a little TLC. If the prospect of owning one of these iconic boats appeals to you, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Each reach of the Thames reveals its own secrets on closer examination.
One chilly afternoon, some 125km upstream from Chertsey, a friend and I made our way to Dorchester-on-Thames for a coffee and a walk to Day’s Lock.
Once in Dorchester it would be sacrilege not to visit the imposing Abbey which is just one of many signs of ancient human presence in the area. To the northeast lies evidence of a significant Neolithic ceremonial complex, while to the south of the Thames there are traces of an Iron Age hill fort.
Most visible today is the later settlement to the south, marked by the impressive double bank and ditch system now known as ‘Dyke Hills’.
Later the Romans established a fort here too, positioned on the banks of the Thames.
There is a great deal more information available if you are interested and I would certainly urge visitors whether by boat or on foot to enter the Abbey in order to admire my favourite effigy.
If you fancy a few hours wandering around Dorchester-on-Thames
there are splendid overnight moorings right by Day's Lock from where it is an easy walk into the town. And if you have the energy to cross the river, there is a fantastic view from the top of the Wittenham Clumps.
Standing there it is easy to imagine how
incredibly busy the town must have been when its main street constituted the Henley to Oxford road. Thank goodness
there is now a ring road which has returned the village to a rather peaceful historic location in which to wander and admire the many interesting buildings.
It is possible to enjoy a full day there with one of our Pure Boating launches from Wallingford if you fancy an interesting trip upstream.
Pure Boating's website is open for bookings for the 2025 boating season. We had a decent start in Wallingford and Streatley over the Easter weekend.
With good boating weather forecast and two bank holiday weekends upon us in May, we look forward to welcoming even more guests aboard for relaxed river adventures and memorable moments on the water.
It will be lovely to see the lawns at The Swan at Streatley busy again now that their lobster bar has reopened, and we're promised live music on Sunday afternoons from May 4th.
Another one of my adventures last month took me by train via Paris down to Geneva and the French outskirts where I used to live.
During the pitstop in Paris, I had a very enjoyable walk along the Seine from the Eurostar terminus at Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon.
Those of you who watched the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics may remember that all the boats carrying athletes were electric. And clearly, some still are: I spotted several quietly gliding along the river, a reassuring sign that sustainable boating is catching on even in one of the world’s busiest capitals.
In the distance, I could see cranes hovering over Notre Dame, where restoration work continues after the fire. I've heard the newly revealed interior is truly mind-blowing but unfortunately I didn't have time to stop by.
My time in Geneva was very much a trip down memory lane. The private bank where I once worked was no longer in evidence, but I took the opportunity to revisit some nearby boating meccas, including the lovely town of Annecy (France), with its magnificent lake and inland canal system, and I also discovered some new boating locations along the Rhône.
I found a boating centre in Chanaz where you can hire a Scoop or take an electric passenger boat all the way to the Lac du Bourget. But there was little sign of life, not even a welcoming cafe, other than some crew smartening up the large passenger boats in anticipation of the Easter rush.
Finally, in Annecy I spotted a true classic: the 'Espérance III', which wasn’t yet sailing, although the website indicates that it soon will be.
'Espérance III' is a reconstruction of a historic boat that once transported goods, including large barrels of wine and was used more widely for transportation. The original Espérance was the last boat of its kind to operate on Lake Annecy, sailing between 1911 and 1930. This style of vessel was originally constructed along the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) from as early as 1794.
It is thanks to a dedicated group of enthusiasts that this reconstruction project was able to be realised. She took two years to build following project approval, at a cost of approximately €1.5 million, and I, for one, will certainly make sure that the next time I’m in the area, I take a trip aboard this inspired lateen-rigged sailing vessel.
Meanwhile, further north, Heather was visiting Dunkirk, where the town council appeared to be preparing for the British ‘armada’. Apparently, for the 85th commemorative return of the Dunkirk Little Ships, they anticipate an influx of up to 200,000 visitors, which has huge implications for the police, the fire brigade and other local services.
As social secretary of the ADLS, Heather is in charge of much of the organisation and liaising with the French. Thus far she has a flotilla of more than 70 boats wishing to cross.
If you are yearning to take part in the Return of the Dunkirk Little Ships this year, and you are quick, we have a rare opportunity for you: The highly coveted 'Janthea' is currently for sale through Henley Sales & Charter, and she comes with a guaranteed place for the crossing.
National Historic Ships has launched its annual photo competition (running from May 1st to August 31st), and anyone can take part!
Do you have a stunning shot of your beautiful wooden boat or perhaps a breathtaking photo of another classic vessel you’ve spotted? Now’s your chance to showcase it!
The Dunkirk Return will be an amazing opportunity to take potentially
price winning photos if you wish to enter, and if you can't make it to France, you'll still have a chance to see the boats ahead of their departure in Ramsgate Harbour between 16th-26th May.
Submit your entry at National Historic Ships Photo Competition and be part of this celebration of maritime heritage.
We are pleased to introduce a charming new arrival and two exceptional bargains, all currently available through Henley Sales and Charter.
‘One Lucky Girl’ has just joined our books. She is a beautifully maintained 28ft 6in Woottens slipper stern launch with a GRP hull below the waterline, mahogany decks, and seating for seven. Fitted with a Ford Watermota engine and complete with trailer, she’s an elegant and practical alternative to a traditional Andrews or bespoke Freebody slipper.
In lovely condition, having always been stored under cover, she can be viewed by appointment at our sales HQ in Lower Basildon.
Meanwhile, two fantastic bargains await new custodians: ‘Cera’, a mid-cockpit cabin cruiser once owned by actor Rodney Bewes and built by Richmond Slipways to a Frank Bandey design, and ‘Thelmarie’, a 1949 Mylne-designed motor yacht with an intriguing history and recent upgrades, including a new full-length cover and modern diesel engine. Both offer exceptional value and character, making them ideal for cruising the Thames or beyond.
To arrange a viewing or find out more, please contact the office on 01491 578870 or email Regine at [email protected]
In March, Heather and I attended a lively and sociable evening at Fawley Hill, courtesy of Lady McAlpine and Adam Toop, to launch the 2025 edition of the wonderful Thames Traditional Boat Festival (TTBF).
Now in its 46th year, this much-loved event returns to Fawley Meadows from 18-20 July and is a must-visit for any boat enthusiast.
The festival will showcase an impressive collection of classic and traditionally crafted boats, from steam launches to restored vintage vessels, including several historic Dunkirk Little Ships. In addition to the nautical displays, the event will feature a variety of vintage amphibious and military vehicles, live music, food, and entertainment, making it a fantastic day out for all.
Whether you're planning to exhibit, participate, or simply come and join in the fun, be sure to visit the website and secure, at the very least, a weekend ticket. As ever Henley Sales and Charter will be in attendance at our usual spot. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there!
