Rekindled

Current boat name

Rekindled

Boat class

7287

Function

Sports and Leisure

Type

Launch

Propulsion

Engine

Date of build

1933

Place of build

Teddington

Present use

Sailing

This early history was supplied by a previous owner, Stan Timms of Timms boatyard: “The boat was built in the early 1933 by Harry Gibbs; her original name was Rylard. The first owner was Llewellyn Ryland & Co. Ltd. Manufacturers of Ryland Paints & Varnish. The launch was used by their Thames Area Representative, Mr Coleman, who visited boatyards on the river during the summer, rather than go by road or rail, the latter being totally impracticable considering the location of some of their potential customers. Apart from this novel way of visiting clients the launch was also used to demonstrate the quality of the company’s product. “During Ryland’s ownership the boat was maintained and stored through the winter at J. Tims & Sons, Staines, Middlesex. Circa 1949 the launch was acquired by John Tims and run for about a season as a day hire under the name Nelany. “The launch was subsequently sold to D.G.W. Sommerville, for many years the Commodore of Staines Sailing Club. He changed the name to Allure (all his Best Boats began with Al). She was then taken to Bates of Chertsey, Surrey, who built the cabin. Sommerville ran the launch for a considerable length of time but she then disappeared from the Staines reach altogether. The writer, Stan Tims, lost touch with the launch until some years later when she was seen at Hobb’s mooring in Henley. It is believed at that time she still bore the name Allure but it is not known when, or by whom, the name was changed to The Francesca. It then became a well known boat on the Thames. “In view of her early role in the history of River Thames launches, it is reassuring to know she is still the subject of preservation. “The original power unit was a Gaines ‘Universal’, an American engine quite commonly used in England at that time and particularly by Gibbs before he transferred to the Gray 6/50. In view of her early role in the history of River Thames launches, it is reassuring to know she is still the subject of preservation.” The launch was renamed My Sarah by the next owner before it was acquired by Stanley and Thomas in 2017. They have worked on the boat over the years have detailed knowledge of the work that has been undertaken on the launch over the past few years. The current owners, Keith and Sheila Howie purchased her in April 2018 and decided for personal reasons to call her Rekindled. They will be moving her up to the Peak Forest Canal, with its 23 miles of lock free cruising. The boat now has a Watermota Seawolf engine fitted, with an aluminium cased Watermota. We’re not sure when this engine was fitted.