I’m so proud of Thames launch after restoration

A MAN from Henley who bought a boat as a lockdown renovation project says he was “totally surprised” when it won two prizes.

Rory Hunt, of Fair Mile, bought the 1954 slipper launch in June 2020 with his mother, Lindsay.

He spent the next two years having the 25ft boat restored to her original condition and colour.

Mr Hunt, a civil servant who is a member of both Leander and Henley Rowing Club, says the boat was a “covid purchase” made almost on the spur of the moment.

He recalls: “We weren’t going abroad and we didn’t know what would happen, so we decided to enjoy life while we could and get her.

“During early 2020, we went around various places but slippers are only really available around here, in Marlow and Windsor, as they are Thames boats in the same way that gondolas are rarely found outside of Venice.

“Then Andrews, a small boatbuilder in Bourne End, came up with the idea and built the first ones followed by the likes of Hobbs of Henley, who built some of their own for hire boats.

“ Our one was built by Andrews. She was riverworthy but needed a bit of work done. In winter 2020, I got a few bits done that were needed but it spiralled out of our control. It ended up with us being like, ‘That part looks a bit shabby; let’s fix up this part’. We kept going in that direction and decided we would restore her to her original condition.”

Mr Hunt discovered the launch was built as an exhibit for the first National Boat Show at Olympia in London in 1954. He says: “Andrews had made her to promote the company at the show and named her Greyhound because they made boats marketed as greyhound launches.

“Post-show, she was sold to someone in Chester and moved up to the River Dee, where she was used as a rowing umpire and coaching launch by Royal Chester Rowing Club.

“Then she returned to the Thames and was renamed by her new owner as Duchess of Marlow.

“She was left for a while at Hambleden Marina in not a good state until a new owner from Hennerton restored her some 30 years ago, renaming her Hennerton Queen.

“When we bought her and found this out we decided to restore her original name, which is nice because my mother and I also have a greyhound dog called Isis.

“The restoration went smoothly overall and all credit to Henwood & Dean, of Hambleden, which did the work. They were brilliant. Solo Marine, of Bourne End, restored her engine while I kept tabs.

“We were trying to be as authentic as possible and resist the temptation to modernise her.

“Some of the original details were missing, neglected or needed replacing. For example, we restored the original three dials, which had deteriorated, that tell you the water temperature, battery charge and oil pressure, although they’re not very useful.

“We also have kept the original fuel measure in the bow of the boat. There is a stick with notches located on the side of the boat that you dip into the fuel tank to see how much is left — it’s very old school.”

The only modernisations were those that were legally required, such as an automatic fire extinguisher in the engine bay.

Mr Hunt was able to restore her authentically thanks to a copy of the original sales invoice for the boat which showed her name, original colour schemes and other interesting information.

He says: “For example, the wood bench seat at the back had been stained but we found out it actually used to have two tones, one of the Andrews signatures.

“We also re-enamelled the engine in its original green colour.

“We have also commissioned replicas for the boat, such as lower down seats. Most have wicker seats now but originally, they had lower down seats which aren’t practical, like deckchairs, and people would stand on them and break them.

“We had the varnishing redone and the paintwork. We wanted her as if she came out of a factory in the Fifties.

“It absolutely kept me sane during the covid pandemic and being able to keep tabs on her was so heart-warming.”

Mr Hunt was attending the Thames Traditional Boat Festival in Henley in 2021 when he entered Greyhound into the competition.

He says: “We did it just because we were interested in boats and because we thought it would be nice for the builders to have their recent work exhibited.

“It was a fun thing to take part in and it costs no more than your mooring fee, so we thought we’d give it a go and in the first year after the restoration, 2021, she was runner-up for best slipper.

“We were chuffed. We didn’t think, with so many other slippers done to such exceptional standard, that we could get that. We also got runner-up for best engine, which was completely unexpected, although the engine restoration is probably just as impressive as the rest.

“We’ve still got the original petrol engine, which is a marinised version of the original Mini engine, only it’s cooled by the river water instead.

“In 2022, we didn’t particularly try to enter anything but in the spirit of the Trad, we dressed up in our old-fashioned clothing.

“The boat won best slipper launch and we received the Andrews Trophy, which is for the restoration, maintenance and presentation of slipper stern launches. It’s a wooden plaque with the names of the winners engraved on it and we have to give it back, although we also received a small cup that we get to keep.”

The boat was also a runner-up in the festival’s Thames Heritage Cup, which is for the best traditional appearance of a boat and crew with an emphasis on accessories.

Mr Hunt recalls: “I was wearing my white blazer from Henley Rowing Club, where I have a single scull and I volunteer on the safety boats.

“We were also awarded best boat of the year by the Thames Vintage Boat Club. This was announced on April 1 at their annual meeting and came completely out of the blue. They told me: ‘You have won, would you like to come along to receive your award?’ It was a total surprise.”

Mr Hunt says he felt the award recognised his care for the boat and the importance he placed on her history.

“She is so important in our lives,” he says. “We look after her really well and as a day launch she is probably the most used boat on the Thames.

“Last year, she did 800 miles and more than 1,000 the year before. I put her in the river as early as possible and try to get her out before the Boat Race in March and you can sometimes see me out on her wrapped up in a Barbour and woolly hat. She has been to big events. In September 2021, she was the commentary and following boat for the Heroes’ Welcome when the Olympians came back from the Tokyo Games.

“The credit should really go to Henwood & Dean, which is where she stays in the winter.

“I just make sure she is polished and take her out all the time — pretty much every sunny day in summer.

“She is my pride and joy. When I finish work, I will go out on her for about three hours in the evenings. That is how I unwind. I normally go out at least one of the days at the weekend as well.

“She is not just kept for regatta or for hire, she is a family boat.”