Venter (ex Blue Ace)

Current boat name

Venter (ex Blue Ace)

Boat class

7605

Function

Sports and Leisure

Type

Length (m / ft)

5.48 / 18ft

Beam (m / ft)

2.67 / 8ft 9in

Leeward

None

Propulsion

Engine

Designer

Apel A

Date of build

1937

Place of build

Atlantic City New Jersey

Present use

Museum/NMMC

VENTER is believed to be one of five similar boats imported into the UK from the USA by Barrus & Co in March 1938. Driven by H C Notley the craft achieved a speed of 54.76 mph over 24 miles and was granted the World record for the 4 litre class. Referred to as VENTER in record documentation this vessel went on to race in the 1938 and 1939 seasons. Believed to have been stored in Windermere during WWII, its full post war history is unclear the Executor's letter offering the craft to the NMM states ' While serving as a Naval Officer during the war Harold Notley lost trace of the Ventnor which was subsequently discovered by Donald Campbell in the Lake District and used by him as a fast tender for his 'Bluebird' record attempts. Later the boat was restored to its original condition by Donald Campbell and leo Villa and returned to Mr Notley at Whitstable in 1964'. Examination reveals significant modifications to the steering and that the upper surfaces of the hull appears to have been replaced and painted blue. There is no evidence that VENTER raced post war. The refubishment has destroyed all evidence of the craft's original paint scheme, name and racing numbers which means that a positive identification has not been possible but the fact that it as presented by Notley's Executors as'this record breaking craft' means we are 90% sure that it broke the world record in 1938. G Hogg May 2011 Archive of supporting material held