KNYSNA NEWS - Organising this year's boat exhibits for the sixth Knysna Boat Show on 6 September has turned up a few surprises. The first was finding a second "backseat"-driven wooden speedboat, similar to the Thesen Industries-built Viking that was displayed in 2016 unrestored and again in 2017, this time resplendent with a new four-stroke 50hp motor.
She was built in Port Alfred by the Purslow Boat Company, probably in the late 1940s judging by her all brass hardware and her brass-and-teak launch wheel, which is quite unusual.
By the mid-1950s all speedboats had chromed hardware and gauges, with steering wheels from motorcars of that time. This boat is beautifully built and still in remarkable condition although she has been out of use for some time.
Her beautiful vintage Evinrude 25hp outboard motor fell off the transom on her way to Knysna and was dragged behind the trailer causing significant damage. Despite this mishap, Raven will be on show alongside her "backseat-driven" sister boat Il Silencio.
Another remarkable find was the second of the three 3-in-1 whalers that came to South Africa on the President Class destroyers of the SA Navy between 1963 and 1965. The Knysna Sea Cadets displayed their 3-in-1 whaler last year, called the Margaret Parkes. It's a particularly striking vessel that can be rowed, sailed, or powered by its Enfield diesel air-cooled engine. These were primarily used as "ship to shore" boats when the mothership was at anchor.
All three of these whalers were donated to the sea cadets in 1999 by the Gordon's Bay SA Navy Training School. Two subsequently went back to Cape Town and were sold.
Well, searching Gumtree one day I came across a similar-looking vessel, but it was the title that I immediately recognised: "3-in-1 whaler for sale".
I contacted the owner who had restored the vessel after finding her in slings at Norvalspont in 2005. His intention had been to take hotel guests on the Kleinemonde river, but that phase of his life was over and Blue Ribbon, as she was called, was up for sale. The boat is similar in every respect except that the owner has replaced the original engine with a water-cooled power plant.
The Knysna Boat Show last year drew enthusiasts from far and wide.
Photo: Supplied
Rod McGregor Mann, the owner, wondered: "Just a thought, but if you know anyone who does crash vehicle recovery with a largish roll-back who might find themselves coming past Kleinemonde empty, tell them we could stump up some little cash to have her dragged to Knysna for your show and other adventures."
At the time of writing it's not known if this vessel will be making the trip to this year's show.
Article: Cameron Searle
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