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Nicolle Associates - Ipswich
+44 78 6736 2225
Year | 1968 |
Make | Nelson |
Model | 40 |
Class | Antique and classic boats |
Length | 12,19m |
Fuel Type | Diesel |
Hull Material | Fiberglass |
Hull Shape | Semi-Displacement |
Offered By | Nicolle Associates - Ipswich |
PRICE REDUCED
A unique and rare opportunity.
'Horatia' is a very famous Nelson boat - owned and driven by Commander Peter Thornycroft - which finished the 1969 Round Britain Powerboat Race.
Significant recent renovation work includes Osmosis treatment, CopperCoat to the wetted area of the GRP hull, and painted topsides.
The pedigree of Nelson power-boats is well-known and highly respected. They have a distinctive design and were chosen by Trinity House for their safety and integrity. Over 150 of these 40 foot boats were built and this example has twin 400hp V8 turbo diesels that have been renovated by the owner, one has already been test-run in his workshop. (Video available and note that both engines are not yet re-fitted).
The Broker viewed this boat at the end of January so please see the 'Broker's Comments' concerning this project.
Part 1 Registered for secure Transfer of Title.
Cruising Speed | 22kn |
Max Speed | 30kn |
Length Overall | 12.19m |
Max Draft | 1.7m |
Beam | 3.35m |
Fresh Water Tank | |
Fuel Tank | 2 x 727.37 l (GRP) |
Holding Tank |
Heads | 1 |
Engine Make | Caterpillar |
Engine Model | Type D 336TA |
Engine Year | 1968 |
Total Power | 400hp |
Engine Type | Inboard |
Drive Type | Direct Drive |
Fuel Type | Diesel |
Propeller Type | 3 Blade |
Propeller Material | Bronze |
Engine Make | Caterpillar |
Engine Model | Type D 336TA |
Engine Year | 1968 |
Total Power | 400hp |
Engine Type | Inboard |
Drive Type | Direct Drive |
Fuel Type | Diesel |
Propeller Type | 3 Blade |
Propeller Material | Bronze |
Manual Bilge Pump | ✓ |
Marine Head | ✓ |
Refrigerator | ✓ |
'Horatia' is owned by a successful engineer who is also a very experienced diesel technician. He and his wife have owned and enjoyed 'Horatia' for about 20 years. The first ten were on the water and due to the desire to improve the condition of this well-documented race-boat it was brought ashore and renovation started.
Work done/commissioned by the current owner includes:
Osmosis treatment to the GRP hull
Re-paint
CopperCoat treatment to obviate the need for anti-fouling
Removal of both engines with a strip-down and items Repaired/Renewed As Necessary. One engine has already been test-run in the owner's work-shop. Video available.
Repair work to the wooden 'cabin top'.
I viewed 'Horatia' at the end of January 2024 and although work is still required much progress has already been achieved.
Race-boats such as 'Horatia' with its well-documented place in history are sought-after and rarely come onto the market. There are two trends to note:
i) original engines, such as these that come with 'Horatia' but are not yet re-fitted, are increasingly important to keep as part of the provenance of the boat's history.
Many period race-boats are now fitted with lighter, quieter, and more fuel-efficient engines. For example, twin 6 cylinder Sabre 350 hp engines are fitted to other Nelson boats, and such engine/gearbox combinations do come onto the market from time to time - including a pair when the Broker wrote this.
ii) fewer classic boats come onto the market as, increasingly, they stay within the family passing down and/or across the generations.
The 1969 Daily Telegraph-BP Round Britain Powerboat Race was so important that Ford entered a team of boats and made the famous film 'Ride the White Horses'.
Also, Mr Crab Searl wrote a splendid book about the race.
'Horatia' is featured in both and therefore is part of Britain's heritage.
You can view the 'Ride the White Horses' on YouTube and here is the link
... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ieTqVy5MA .. and 'Horatia' can be clearly seen at about 14:41 into the film.
'Horatia' is very well-documented within the Nelson Boat Owners Club (which was co-founded by this boat's first owner Commander Peter Thornycroft) and here is a link to their web-site ...
https://www.nelsonboatownersclub.co.uk/index.html ...
Nicolle Associates offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.