David Brown had a boat . . .
Discussion
. . . and now I've got it, but only discovered this fact a few days ago. The boat is an aluminium-hulled sports/ski boat, built by Simmonds Motor Launches of Twickenham. David Brown bought the boat, which was the original factory "demonstrator", in late 1954 and used it as a tender to his yacht, "Marseltese II".
Does anyone have photos or references of any kind to David Brown's yachting activities that they'd be willing to share? The boat is in dire need of total restoration, which I'm hoping to start soon, but if I can find any reference to what it looked like originally that would help enormously. Similarly, any contacts with people who might have access to such material gratefully received.
Does anyone have photos or references of any kind to David Brown's yachting activities that they'd be willing to share? The boat is in dire need of total restoration, which I'm hoping to start soon, but if I can find any reference to what it looked like originally that would help enormously. Similarly, any contacts with people who might have access to such material gratefully received.
Any news Thumper?
My father used to race off shore power boats and i found out lots of interesting info about its past from www.boatmad.com.
Could you post a picture of the boat for me please?
My father used to race off shore power boats and i found out lots of interesting info about its past from www.boatmad.com.
Could you post a picture of the boat for me please?
I thought I'd drag this one back up to the top again with a bit of an update, and also in the hope of finding anyone else with an interest in old speedboats.
Since originally posting this thread I've become involved with a new forum dedicated to old speedboats, so if you have an interest in such things, check out www.oldspeedboats.com. Whether you own a Riva or an Albatross, or a Simmonds for that matter, you'll be most welcome.
As of yesterday, the idea of a Simmonds register has also moved one step closer. It's only a holding page at the moment, but we now have a website at www.simmonds-motorlaunches.co.uk. A string of eBay auctions - well, four to be exact - has revived interest in these old boats, and there's one on eBay at the moment with a starting bid of £6000. Mmm, bit high for starters, but probably what it's worth.
The initial response I received regarding my boat from the Aston Martin estate was very positive, but then never heard another word. I have, however, disovered about another five or six examples of the boat - hence the move to establish the register.
Since originally posting this thread I've become involved with a new forum dedicated to old speedboats, so if you have an interest in such things, check out www.oldspeedboats.com. Whether you own a Riva or an Albatross, or a Simmonds for that matter, you'll be most welcome.
As of yesterday, the idea of a Simmonds register has also moved one step closer. It's only a holding page at the moment, but we now have a website at www.simmonds-motorlaunches.co.uk. A string of eBay auctions - well, four to be exact - has revived interest in these old boats, and there's one on eBay at the moment with a starting bid of £6000. Mmm, bit high for starters, but probably what it's worth.
The initial response I received regarding my boat from the Aston Martin estate was very positive, but then never heard another word. I have, however, disovered about another five or six examples of the boat - hence the move to establish the register.
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