ML Greyhound

Current boat name

M.L.Greyhound

Boat class

Slipper Launch

Sail number

N/A

Number

Andrews Boatyard No.376

Function

Sports and Leisure

Type

Launch

Length (m / ft)

7.62 / 25

Beam (m / ft)

1.75 / 5.75

Draft (m / ft)

0.61 / 2

Construction

Carvel

Material

Wood

Masts

N/A

Rig type

N/A

Propulsion

Engine

Engine details

1962 BMC Vedette (re engined from an older 1952 Vedette), restored in winter 2020/21. Petrol driven.

Designer

Andrews of Bourne End

Design date

1952

Date of build

1952

Place of build

Andrews Boathouses (Bourne End)

Home port

Henley-On-Thames

Present condition

Excellent - Winner of Andrews Trophy for best slipper launch at Thames Traditional Boat Festival (July 2022) and winner of best boat in Thames Vintage Boat Club (2023)

Present use

Private leisure

No. 376 was built by Andrews as their 1954 Boat Show exhibit. After trials, having some extras fitted, and being named “Greyhound”, No. 376 was exhibited by Andrews at the first National Boat Show held at Olympia, London. After being sold she was used on the River Dee including as a coaching and umpiring launch at Royal Chester RC. She returned to the Thames in 1969. She was purchased in a derelict state in 1976 and had major works carried out by Andrews, including being re-engined and was re-named “Duchess of Marlow”. Further work was undertaken in 1986 by T.Green at Hambleden Marina and was re-named “Hennerton Queen”. She was purchased by myself and L.Hunt in 2020 and has recently undergone a major restoration with Henwood & Dean, including a full engine rebuild by Solo Marine, to restore her to as close to her original condition as possible (with an emphasis on keeping her as she would have been instead of retrofitting more modern appliances/fittings/engines etc), including original smiths dials, spotlight and other original features being re-fitted. During the restoration she was re-named “M.L.Greyhound”. She won the Andrews Trophy for best slipper at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival in 2022 (runner up in 2021) and the 2023 award for best boat in the Thames Vintage Boat Club. She is a very active vessel, having covered over 1000 miles on the thames each year since 2020.