Leo Magill

Make: RLM

Model: RLM 31 Bahama

Engine: 90HP Twin Inboard/Outdrive (Diesel)

We sold our Norman 25 'Haddocks Revenge' in 2006 after buying Leo Magill, a mid 70's RLM 31, so we could do a bit of sea work. It was fitted with a pair of smelly old BMC 2.52 diesels that shook around on rotten bearers when we got her, the fuel tanks were rotten and the bilge awash with water, oil, and diesel so a fairly quick strip out and refit was required, we carried on with the BMC's for a year then decided to change for something newer so got a couple of old peugeot XUD9's and rebuilt/marinised them and fitted on new bearers made from 3"x5" iroko glassed in. Based on the Great Ouse at St.Neots we did a good few sea miles despite the long run downstream to Denver sluice to get tidal access, first ever sea trip was to Wells next the sea and back in 2007, did a few trips across the wash to Boston and beyond to the Trent, 2009 saw us heading round to Wells for a night then straight up to Hull the next morning continuing on to borobridge and back via the Trent to Torksey where we headed down the fossdyke/Witham to Boston before heading back across the wash. 2010 was an east coast year as we arranged a 3 month mooring on the norfolk broads so of we went via Wells again and in at Gt.Yarmouth, whilst on the broads we did a trip further down the coast visting shotley,Ipswich,Bradwell,Brighlingsea,Maldon,Walton on the naze, Woodbridge and Orford, well you sit on the rivers all the time..... While at Orford we managed to get up to Snape malting just long enough for a pint before the tide started to ebb so had to shot back to Orford before the channel dried up. 2011 Took us to Nottingham via the wash and Witham, then in 2012 we went back to the broads for a permanent base as so much easier sea access, discovered southwold and became a regular sight there, then in 2015 it was time for a change again, long trips were becoming hard work and Leo was no match for a bumpy sea so we ended up with Snowbird, a Princess 30DS with a pair of 150Hp Volvo's, but that is another story.

Last edited 12th December 2020


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On the Great Ouse

Leo Magill

First arrival

The first lift in

Wells next the sea

Trent bridge

The glory hole

Fye bridge Norwich

Maldon, Essex

Rowhedge, Essex

Urrrggh!

That's better.

Orwell bridge

New engine bearers

New engines

The helm

Hull marina

Humber bridge

Ouse bridge York

Kings Staithe, York