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Way back in the 1980’s when I was just a youngster, my parents had a Birchwood Interceptor moored at Newby Bridge on the edge of Lake Windermere.   I was bitten by the bug and missed the boat terribly when my parents sold her in the 1990’s (I was getting ready to go to college and working part-time and the leisure time wasn’t the same).   In September 2006 after having saved up and worked out my budget, I began searching for a motor cruiser.   I started off by looking at a 1970 Fairline Fury (with the semi-flybridge) but rejected it as the asking price was way too expensive for the current condition, and the mooring fees on Lake Windermere for that particular craft (25ft in length) were over £2500 per year!

The second boat I considered was a 1980 Colvic Traveller moored in Preston Dock, she looked very good on the surface, however the engine had been seized at some recent time and the pre-purchase survey highlighted severe problems with the boat (water under the floorboards, incorrect gas installation, 2 of the 3 electric panels needed re-wiring, all the handrails, stanchions, pulpit and pushpit were not correctly secured to the boat … it went on).   Undeterred, I made a reduced offer for the Colvic to take into account the work that was required, but the vendor wouldn’t budge, so I walked away.

In April 2007 I made a visit to Moonsbridge Marina on the Lancaster Canal near Preston to view a Seamaster 813, but when I looked at her she too was neglected and required a lot of work to bring her up to scratch.   There was one boat however; a 1970 Seamaster 27 named ‘Amber’ a few berths away which was being prepared for brokerage.   The owner had died over Christmas and the craft was going to be put up for sale.   I immediately fell in love with Amber; however she was out of my price range, I was budgeting for property too so I was being cautious.   I actually took my parents to see Amber too, and we ended up doing a ‘joint-effort’ and buying her between us, this is also quite useful when it comes time to pay mooring fees, maintenance costs etc especially as I am currently working towards my Doctor’s Degree.

So, in May 2007 Amber became ‘ours’ and we have enjoyed and continue to enjoy many weekends and evenings aboard, she was in very good condition when we bought her, a credit to her previous owners.   We are currently in the progress of updating Amber, she has been out of the water for a month to have her wood replaced/restored, gel coat repairs, painting, anti-fouling, polishing etc, she is now pretty close to as she would have been back in 1970 when she was delivered new to the Lancaster Canal as a hire cruiser.   There are always jobs to be done, this year we are hoping to redesign the dashboard area; we have a GPS radome and VHF aerial to fit, in the hope one day of venturing out of either Preston or Glasson Dock into the ‘chop’

We tend to cruise the Lancaster Canal, however, I am hoping to take her to sea either this year or next as we are within easy reach of 'going coastal' via either the Millennium Ribble Link which takes us along the River Ribble to sea or going down a flight of locks to Glasson Dock and then out to sea, either way we shall do it!

I believe that Amber is one of the best Seamaster 27's that are still around, this is reflected in many comments we receive about her, however this is due to the care and attention offered to her by her previous owners who have both sadly died recently, but she is being kept in tip top condition, while being updated with modern GPS and VHF etc.

Perhaps Peter and Margaret of ‘Sheer Madness’ moored 100 feet away will join us!

Ian D. Bennett.