Elsie Mary

These were my first pictures of Elsie Mary. Sent to me by James Hogg. How could I not go and take a further look?

October 2007

Elsie Mary is a modern built classic Edwardian Launch.

Designed by the Naval Architect Andrew Westonholme and built by the Steam and Electric Launch Company in 1989, Elsie Mary has been in private ownership until November 2007 when I purchased her.

She is a "Frolic 21 Traditional" electric powered craft with seating for 7 plus 2 crew. The traditional specification includes inset solid mahogany fore and aft decks with black seams, solid mahogany cappings and solid mahogany rubbing strakes finished with a chrome bin iron. She is also fitted with a fold down table and a solid canopy with fold down sides which makes her ideal for day cruising and enjoying the river environment.

The previous owner, Mr Hogg, had taken great care of her and was sad to sell after having her built to his specification and enjoying the best part of 18 years use on the Norfolk Broads.

As a recent new member of the Electric Boat Association I was pleased to see a Frolic 21 of this specification and quality for sale in our member's magazine. Within 24 hours I had agreed to go and take a look at the craft the following weekend. The viewing went well and along with a couple of friends of mine and Tracy my partner we went out on the boat, checked her over as best we could and proceeded to make a conditional offer subject to a inspection out of the water.

Creative Marine were contracted to do the inspection. As the current builders of this craft it made sense to use them. Not only did they know the boat inside out, they were also able to advise and help with the costings and future valuation of the boat once any remedial work was done. This was to be a very important part of the service they provided and was an added advantage over just a marine survey.

9th November 2007

The inspection confirmed our worst fear of a boat of this age that had been kept in the water for most of its life. It was found to have osmosis damage to the gel coat. Osmosis is a problem with earlier grp construction boats, especially the darker colours. The gel coat takes up water by the process of osmosis and blisters appear in the gel coat. It looked like it had a bad case of acne!

Simon from Creative had come prepared with information and prices from Suffolk Yacht Harbour who were experts in curing this problem. Careful and respectful negotiations continued with Mr Hogg and with the help of his son James we came to a financial agreement and the boat was purchased.

23rd November 2007

Another important part of the package supplied by Creative Marine was the transportation of the boat back to their yard in Norfolk using one of their trailers, which I later purchased, to continue checking her over for any further remedial works and to arrange and prepare the boat ready for a "Boat Safety Scheme Certificate". They also held the boat in secure storage whilst I continued the process of paying for the boat ensuring the best interests of both Mr Hogg and I were met.

Once the BSSC was obtained, funds had cleared to Mr Hogg and some small works done by Creative were completed the boat was towed to Levington near Ipswich. Jonathan Dyke of Suffolk Yacht Harbour inspected the hull and agreed that osmosis treatment was needed. This process would see the gel coat peeled off to reveal the inner core of the hull. The boat would be allowed to dry for up to 2 months naturally before going into the workshop to be further dried and a new out epoxy resin skin is applied. Together with a coat of anti-foul she should be ready to go back in the water in May of 2008.

It is also my intention to remove all chrome fittings and have these plated again as the chrome layer is missing or worn out, see pictures above.

The story of Elsie Mary will continue.......