THE new owner of a historic boat made by a former Burnham craftsman is appealing for information about the vessel’s history.
Phil Robinson has recently bought a boat which was constructed by Guy Thompson, a former member of the Royal Burnham Yacht Club, in the mid-1970s.
Thompson was a prolific “one off” designer and was closely linked to the yacht club in the 50s and 60s.
Mr Robinson, an electrical goods salesman from Bury St Edmunds, currently has the boat stored in Windermere in the Lake District, but is appealing for information from local residents and historians about its life and achievements.
Phil said: “I recently bought this boat, named Whistler, and although it was in quite a poor condition, I was fascinated by it. From what I already know, it was built by Guy Thompson, a former member of the Royal Burnham Yacht Club, in the 70s, before shipping out to America and Canada.
“Eventually she was sailed back to England and ended up on Lake Windermere, and that is where she still resides owned by myself and my wife.
“She currently is in a very sorry state, but very strong and still afloat on Windermere, where we intend to bring her back to her Atlantic Glory.
“I’d love to find out more about this boat and what she’s been through, I have tracked a previous owner from the one I bought the boat from and he now resides on the Isle of Man, but there are bound to be members of the public in Burnham who will have seen it before, possibly even taken a trip on it.
“It is a bit like trying to trace your family tree, but in this case, the history of quite an important boat in the life and designs of Guy Thompson.”
Contact Phil at robinson.phil@rocketmail.com.
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