HISTORY & DESCRIPTION:
Designed by the well established and respected firm of boat-builders Graham Bunn Ltd of Wroxham, Norfolk to a design by R M Martins in 1958 for the legendary all round entertainer George Formby, and originally named LADY BERYL II after George’s indomitable wife. However, on her maiden voyage, so the story goes Mrs Formby did not enjoy coastal cruising so LADY BERYL II returned to the Broads and was principally used as a holiday boat and second home when George was appearing for the summer season in Great Yarmouth.
Beryl died in 1960, a few months later just as George was about to marry his new young bride, he died and as part of his estate the boat was put on the market in 1961. It was reported in the press to have been sold to a mystery buyer however Lloyds Register of Yachts shows this to have been Mr. George Brown of Barton Le Clay, Bedfordshire, who re-named the boat CAROLE ANN and stationed her at Hamble. George a member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Royal Motor Yacht Club and Cruising Association. In the new ownership of Mrs F A Wells of Parkstone during the 1970s the boat was used as it was intended entering various sea events like the Heineken Amsterdam rally and made various sea and channel crossings from a base in Poole Harbour. In the mid 1970s O R Stephenson of Gravesend bought CAROLE ANN and moved her to a mooring in Ramsgate. The current owners bought the boat from their good friends Phil Ryan and Eunice Mountjoy in 1988 on the agreement she would be loved and looked after as they would have. Philip Ryan, a local boat builder had plans to re-model CAROLE ANN which during the current 25 year ownership have been completed with the great assistance of specialist wooden boat restorer Michael Dennett & Co. Steven Dennett has worked with his team to bring CAROLE ANN up to her present condition which is pretty close to completion.
The re-styling began firstly by removing the steadying mast and levelling the rear cabin roof with teak decking. This allowed the installation of a flying bridge complete with screen and helmsman station which was something Phil had always felt the boat needed. In the interior forward, the hip bath was replaced with a wet room and the owners stateroom re-fitted with a full sized double bed, triple wardrobes and dressing table all in lavishly polished Cherry wood.
The central deck saloon/wheelhouse has been kept as original with a new sole, general tidying up of the equipment and re-varnishing and painting of the roof. Aft has had a similar modernising with the galley being given a more open plan layout with new built-in cupboards in solid mahogany. The aft saloon sides re-panelled in oak and various cupboards re-vamped with a modern bar and TV cabinet installed keeping in mind the overall classic look of the interior.
More recently all the teak decks fore and aft have been completely replaced and the whole boat repainted and re-varnished. She has her original Twin 65hp Perkins SM6 Diesel Engines which were re-built some 10 years ago, giving a top speed of nearly 10 knots, cruising at around 7 knots, consuming about 3 litres per hour per engine. Ftted new in 1958 with hydraulic steering. Steering gear – Twin Bronze Rudders and bronze operating gear. Fresh Water Capacity 150 Gallons, Fuel Capacity 100 Gallons
Hull constructed to a very high specification in double diagonal teak, 2″ wide planks all copper fastened. Oak Stem, keel and timbers/frames. Iron Ballast Keel of approx 2 tons. Main hull stringers with fitted bronze brackets in the fore peak.
Two principle cabins plus deck saloon/wheelhouse with four berths in total.
Heads compartment with Holding Tank. Shower and washbasin
Galley with Flavel two burner gas cooker with oven and grill, refrigerator, sink unit, pantry and crockery lockers.
Eberspacher Warm Air Heating and Electric radiators. Pressurised Water System Water heating via Calorifier and Immersion Heater
Steering Compass. Fire extinguishers, Anchor with manual winch. 50 metres Anchor chain, 10 Fenders and Warps, electric bilge pump.
In 2012 ‘Carole Ann of Hamble’ was added to the National Register of Historic Vessels.
BROKERS NOTE:
A top quality, classic style motor yacht designed for comfortable living aboard or extended cruising for a couple or small family. Light and spacious accommodation with quality joinery throughout and versatile twin engine installation. Built for an iconic British entertainer and lovingly maintained since by dedicated owners. Possibility of central London mooring by separate agreement.
GUIDE: Sold – April 2021 ………………..SIMILAR MOTOR YACHTS REQUIRED…………………….
LYING: London
VIEWING: Through the agents – CLASSIC YACHT BROKERAGE
Under current regulations viewing is permitted for boats intended as liveaboard
DISCLAIMER: Classic Yacht Brokerage offer the details and photographs of this vessel in good faith as a guide but cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information or images, or warrant the condition of the vessel, machinery or rig. Buyers should instruct their representative, agents or their surveyors to investigate such details as the buyer requires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
