Welcome to Victoria – she is a much loved friend that we probably need to let go. 16ft Length x 3.75ft beam or 485cm x 115cmShe is GRP hull, built using an original clinker built Thames Skiff timber mold by two lovely old boys in Kent,1980 (see photo) and refurbished last in 2015. We are her second owner only. All of the seats, footrests, gunnels and rudder are built in a gorgeous hardwearing hardwood that I think is teak. She looks like a classic timber skiff hull but is actually GRP. Best of both worlds.We have enjoyed having her as a tender to our Narrowboat (now Widebeam) on the Regents Canal in London since 2015 and has been a total pleasure. Tonnes of trips and picnics with friends and kids. Supermarket shops. Station dropoffs. You name it, she’s done it. Ideal for 2, Comfortably sits 3, ok to take 4 and will take 5 if you are good friends and/or have had a drink or three, first. Totally reliable and (so far!) has proved robust and unsinkable. As part of the refurb, she had custom cotton canvas covers built, with hoops so that she can stay on the water year-round or be used to camp under if you felt adventurous. All included. We didnt ever manage to camp using the covers but we have rowed her up the Regents Canal and Grand Union to the Thames (Richmond) and back. She’s stable and dependable. Too heavy to lift easily though and goes through locks rather than carried round them.She currently sits on a mooring in Kings Cross near Granary Square and attracts much interest and bypassers taking photos. A very pretty craft.Be aware that if you successfully give her a new home, I might need to tell you some stories of fun we have had in her, and I might even shed a tear as she goes. But life moves on. She is not getting the use or love she deserves with concurrent commitments at home.Photos include one of her being built, 1980, one in use a couple of years ago and the rest how she looks today 28 May 2022.So that’s all the starry eyed romantic stuff. Here’s the “seen as is” reality.She could do with some TLC – mainly the woodwork could do with a good rub down and a few coats of Epifanes yacht varnish which is what we used in 2015. An easy project – visual, non structural stuff. Mainly peeling /worn varnish. None of the teak is rotten/needing replacement and she has many many years of second (and maybe third and fourth) lives ahead of her after some easy work. The duckboards are varnished pine and have a bit of visible blackening but still useable for many years ahead. One duckboard corner needing some filler (see in photo) – this is the area where rainwater accumulates at the bottom of the boat if left open uncovered – any softwood/pine will go that way if immersed. And she is 42 years old after all.. if we keep her I’d likely paint the floorboards (rather than varnish) for better longevity and non-slip.Main point – the hull is GRP and rocksolid. You could take her and use/admire her for a year or two quite happily and defer any refurbs, so long as you keep the covers on her for wet weather so rainwater doesnt accumulate/get into the wood. The covers are 100% waterproof. But ideally the work gets done this year, and she’ll be good for at least another 5-7 years before any more work needed, if you look after her.She didn’t ever come with a trailer – so that’s your main challenge. 16ft Long – at a push could go in the back of a big van but will need 3-4 people to lift. We have a lightweight launching trailer that I’d be happy to include. Alternatively you can just row her away if you are up for a wee adventure and will keep her on or near the Regents/Grand Union/Thames/Lea etc etc.As you can probably tell, she’ll be sold with a lot of love, stories and photos. We have no urgent need to sell her but way I see it, if a toy / piece of equipment isnt used for more than 6 months, it should go to make space/funds for something else.I think that is all. She can be viewed any time on the water in Kings Cross from the canal path, and by prior arrangement you are welcome to have a look at her between 0800-1700 Monday to Friday as access is behind a locked door otherwise. No tyre/fender kickers, please.Feel free to ask any questions.She’s ready to go as is. We bought her for a fair price and so I’m willing to pass her on in the same spirit of goodwill but having spent a bit on her and fitted covers, which don’t come cheap.She’s a lovely, antique boat – you get exactly what you see. No returns or daftness please.
Current Price: £400.00
This Traditional Thames Rowing Boat / Skiff 16ft / 4.85m boat is located in , N1 *** and is being sold on eBay by .