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Freyasday
United Kingdom
11 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Jan 2019 : 19:33:47
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Hi.
When I was very young, in the 60s, my Dad had a small boat which we kept on the Bridgewater Canal and we had one massive adventurous trip from there to Tewksbury and back. Canals were very weedy and the lock walls sometimes positively frightening, but I loved it all. I have no photos of the boat but I'd love to know what it was so wondered if anyone could help.
The screen was one-piece and curved slightly.
In the cabin, there were front seats/converting to a double berth, going into the bows, and I presume acting as seating and a table during the day.
Then came a locker which had an Elsan in it, and opposite, another locker which was the cooking area. We had a meths stove as I think my Dad was very careful about gas. The stove sat on top of the locker and I assume crockery and a washing-up bowl and all else was inside it.
Before reaching the cabin door, at ground level on each side, were two single beds which ran out into the cockpit, where the wooden coverings of the berths acted as cockpit seats. No, the boat was NOT a Dandy, but I can't find any mention of other boats of that era having what we called coffin bunks!
My father lived in Saddleworth and Norman boats were made in Shaw, not far away.
He worked in Oldham as a Chief car salesman of the Oldham Motor Company.
Coincidentally, I attended the same school as the daughter of the Norman boat manufacturer Mr Wheeldon, and played hockey with her (Lynne Wheeldon).
Chances are, my Dad knew Mr Wheeldon and bought the boat from him, but I'm not aware any Norman ever having coffin bunks.
I wondered if anyone knew anything about the possibility it might have been a special or something, or could offer any other help about it.
Thanks, Sally.
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Edited by - Freyasday on 20 Jan 2019 19:34:18 |
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Fred
2007 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2019 : 20:50:23
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Hi Sally
Nice story and interesting to hear of your connection with the Wheeldon family.
We just love 'mystery boats' here but usually have just a little bit more to go on!
Never mind, I'll have the first stab at it. I wonder if it could have been a Vanguard Thunderjet which would seem to meet your description in terms of age of boat, the wrap around screen, the toilet and mini-galley lockers and the berth arrangement.
There was a thread about these boats a little while ago from IanM who has a similar but smaller boat which turned out to be a Gemini 16 made by forerunners of the Birchwood Boat Co. at Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottingham.
http://www.normanboats.co.uk/new_snitz_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7928
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Edited by - Fred on 20 Jan 2019 20:57:12 |
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Fred
2007 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2019 : 21:22:40
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...... or perhaps even more likely, a slightly earlier Vanguard Spectre, one of Birchwood's first boats in Nottingham before the Vanguard operation was spun off and set up at Frome in Wiltshire.
The ad seems to describe your cockpit seats/berth arrangement.
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Edited by - Fred on 20 Jan 2019 21:41:04 |
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trevork
3949 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2019 : 23:37:12
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Good work so far Fred. As you say, a bit more info might lead to more clues and suggestions.
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Freyasday
United Kingdom
11 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2019 : 10:07:17
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| Thank you, Fred. But no, although close! The two single berths were at floor level in the cabin and there was about 2 foot of open berth in the cabin. The rest of the berth went out (covered) into the cockpit where they were used as seats. So front beerths as normal for most boats of this type, then coming back towards the cockpit there was the galley on one side, the loo box on the other side, then the coffin berths, cabin door, continuation of coffin berths into cockpit. It had what I call "sad" windows (like Norman front windows). I've been badgering a friend who I am sure must have a photo of the boat and I used to have a photo which has ended up elsewhere and am trying to retrieve that as well. The only photo I have isn't very helpful. I've tried to attach it but copy/paste isn't working and I can't quite understand the "Insert image" button above s it's not then leading to browse and upload. Thanks again. Freyasday. |
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Fred
2007 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2019 : 16:25:07
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Hi Sally, sorry that was not the one. A photo - any photo - would be good to try to identify it better. We can't be beaten now!
The "insert image" function only works if the image is already stored somewhere on the web and you can insert an address. Cut and paste doesn't work directly for images. But don't worry, we have a good bloke at head office who will put it on for you if you email it to him! trevork52@btinternet.com
.... please, Trevor!
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Margaret
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2019 : 07:28:43
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Hi Sally. Slightly off the subject but I think a friend of mine Geoff Carter used to go out with Lynne in the 70s.
J.L mee |
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trevork
3949 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2019 : 13:42:40
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Well, we have a picture! Does not show so much but, from what is visible, there is a suggestion of a Norman 17 or Callumcraft. Its the screen shape that suggests that to me. Have a look! I have put it in the "Puzzlers" section.
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2019 : 02:03:26
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Quote Freyasday: "Before reaching the cabin door, at ground level on each side, were two single beds which ran out into the cockpit, where the wooden coverings of the berths acted as cockpit seats."
You description where cockpit berths are "at ground level" and "before reaching the cabin door" and "ran out into the cockpit" sounds like what we call "Quarter berths" which are found on many sailing yachts so I wonder if this boat was in fact a former sailing yacht converted to a motor boat? The layout does sound like that. There were openings in the main bulkhead either side of the door to allow a person to wriggle 2/3 of their body into their bed although one could sit up in the main cabin one's lower body and legs were under the cockpit seating.
It really does sound like a former sailing boat.
There was one cabin cruiser that had quarter berths I vaguely remember, but I'm racking my brain trying to think what make it was. Teal maybe? Albin?
Finally living the dream!
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Fred
2007 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2019 : 15:39:05
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Clive provides a useful clue in suggesting that because of the quarter-berth arrangement this boat may have its origins in sailing craft. It's also from the 60s (Sally doesn't say exactly when) but must then pre-date some of the better known small cruisers mass-produced in the 70s. One other clue is in the curved shape of the forward cabin top.
Can I suggest that it might be a Tod Tuna? These were made at Weymouth from the 1950s on, first in wood and later in fibreglass, by a long established maker of wooden sailing craft. Over 300 were built. The use of quarter berths would tie-in with that pedigree, perhaps even to special order.
The Tuna has a noteable curve to the cabin roof and was fitted with the one piece curved screen.
There's some interesting (well, for us nerds anyway!) information here:
http://woodenboatassociation.com/TOD%20Boats.htm
and a little picture here
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Freyasday
United Kingdom
11 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2019 : 07:19:47
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I really appreciate everyone's help with trying to identify this boat! It's so frustrating not to be able to get hold of any old photos as I know two people who are likely to have one but both keep saying yes, they'll try to find the photos and time passes...well, I can understand. Maybe one day I'll manage to get hold of one!
The boat was ours between around 1962-1966. I think it might have been 1963 when we made our epic trip from the Bridgewater Canal to Tewkesbury. I say epic because in those days locks weren't very well maintained and water would squirt unexpectedly from the walls as the boat went down! Also, a lot of weed and crumbling banks. I agree the Tod berth description sounds the best yet. The Tod is a possibility, not dismissing it, best match yet and the more I look at it, the more I wonder. It was definitely GRP and if it helps, it was definitely an outboard engine Again, my thanks. |
Edited by - Freyasday on 07 Mar 2019 08:09:07 |
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Freyasday
United Kingdom
11 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2019 : 07:25:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Margaret
Hi Sally. Slightly off the subject but I think a friend of mine Geoff Carter used to go out with Lynne in the 70s.
J.L mee
Hello, Margaret. I know I played hockey with Lynne Wheeldon and my friend who was at the same school also remembers the name, but it's possible she was older than me and I don't know if she went to university or where she ended up but she certainly came from the Oldham area.
That's nearly as good a coincidence as when I went into somewhere as part of my job and was asked if my husband was called Robin, then to be told her best friend had previously dated him! (We have a distinctive surname which is how she was confident enough to ask) |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2019 : 05:10:29
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"Oh, jolly hockey-sticks"!
Sorry - just couldn't resist it Freyasday.
So you are selling your Norman 23 - giving up boating or replacing it with something bigger?
Finally living the dream!
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Freyasday
United Kingdom
11 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2019 : 13:00:56
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quote:
Originally posted by cliveshep
"Oh, jolly hockey-sticks"!
Sorry - just couldn't resist it Freyasday.
So you are selling your Norman 23 - giving up boating or replacing it with something bigger?
Finally living the dream!
I don't mind the Jolly Hockey Sticks :-) Norman 20, not Norman 23. With regret, arhtritis and a replaced hip have somewhat curtailed leaping on and off the boat, plus husband did it for love and he's had enough canal cruising now, so the two together have led to the sale. Cheers, Sally
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Freyasday
United Kingdom
11 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2019 : 18:49:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Fred
Clive provides a useful clue in suggesting that because of the quarter-berth arrangement this boat may have its origins in sailing craft. It's also from the 60s (Sally doesn't say exactly when) but must then pre-date some of the better known small cruisers mass-produced in the 70s. One other clue is in the curved shape of the forward cabin top.
Can I suggest that it might be a Tod Tuna? These were made at Weymouth from the 1950s on, first in wood and later in fibreglass, by a long established maker of wooden sailing craft. Over 300 were built. The use of quarter berths would tie-in with that pedigree, perhaps even to special order.
The Tuna has a noteable curve to the cabin roof and was fitted with the one piece curved screen.
There's some interesting (well, for us nerds anyway!) information here:
http://woodenboatassociation.com/TOD%20Boats.htm
and a little picture here
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trevork
3949 Posts |
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Help wanted to identify a boat
