Key details
- Current boat name
- Lady Isabelle
- Boat class
- 7286
- Function
- Sports and Leisure
- Type
Dimensions and specifications
- Length (m / ft)
- 9.14 / 30ft
- Beam (m / ft)
- 1.98 / 6ft 6in
- Leeward
- Keel
- Masts
- None
- Propulsion
- Engine
Design and build
- Designer
- Gibbs H
- Date of build
- 1930
- Place of build
- Teddington
Current status
- Present use
- Sailing
History
LADY ISABELLE was built by H Gibbs of Teddington in 1930 for Lord Staines. She has been named TEMPLECROFT, GEBA I and CARFAX FREE by a series of owners, the last of whom purchased her in 2003. She took part in the Dunkirk evacuation where she was used to ferry troops from the shore to ships. Later she was used by the Home Guard as a river patrol craft on the Thames. By 1960 she had fallen on hard times and left to sink for six months in a derelict condition. George Bailey saved her but reconstructed her for use on canals, destroying the original Gibbs design. In 1961 Coventry Boatbuilders purchased her and with her next owner, John richards, restored her topsides to the Gibbs design and fitted her with an authentic 1934 Gray engine. LADY ISABELLE returned to Dunkirk by sea on two occasions and once by road. In 2003 she was totally rebuilt below the waterline, with a new hog, keel, frames and rudder. She participated in the 2009 Thames Traditional Boat Rally. August 2009 (Picture courtesy of Classic Boat)