Oxford boatyard's new craft takes to the water (From Oxford Mail)

Oxford boatyard's new craft takes to the water

6:26pm Sunday 15th March 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(4)

A NEW boat has been launched at an Oxford boatyard for the first time in 20 years.

On Thursday, the Windrush 25 was placed into the waters of the River Thames at Bossoms Boatyard in Binsey — the first new boat designed and built by the boatyard since the mid 1980s.

Manager Michael Elkins said staff at the company had been working on the boat, a 25ft river launch, since the business was taken over in 2004.

He said: “This was a project that was decided on then, and it has come to fruition at last.

“The new owners were keen that Bossoms attempted to find ourselves a new place in the market and we do feel it will complement our range.”

“These things take time and there is a lot of planning involved, it is a huge investment for a small company like ours.”

The boat was exhibited at the London International Boat Show in January and Mr Elkins said there was already interest in the electrically-powered boat.

Each will be made to specification and will take about six weeks for the hull to be constructed, then three to four months to be fitted out to the customer’s requirements. Mr Elkins said: “The whole team that built her has been out on her and she has out-performed our expectations.

“The feeling is very buoyant here, everyone’s extremely happy and there are lots of smiles.

“It has all gone according to plan.”

The boat sleeps up to four and comes complete with shower, toilet and galley kitchen.

Just one has been constructed so far and Mr Elkins said the version that was winched into the water by crane on Thursday was priced at £91,942.

The cost of others would depend on exact specifications.

The boats will be built by a team of seven, led by boatbuilding manager Simon Burton.

An open day will be held at the end of the month when people will be able to have a look at the Windrush 25.

The last new boat launched at the boatyard was the Hornet, which is no longer built or sold at the site.

It is understood from archaeological evidence there has been boatbuilding activity at the Bossoms site since prehistoric times.

The Bossom family built boats at the yard between 1830 and 1945, when the last in a line of several generations retired from the family business.

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(4)