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1968 Nelson 40

Havant, Hampshire, United Kingdom

£22,500

PRICE REDUCED

A unique and rare opportunity.

'Horatia' is a very famous Nelson boat - owned and driven by Commander Peter Thornycroft - which finished the 1969 Round Britain Powerboat Race. 

Significant recent renovation work includes Osmosis treatment, CopperCoat to the wetted area of the GRP hull, and painted topsides. 

The pedigree of Nelson power-boats is well-known and highly respected.  They have a distinctive design and were chosen by Trinity House for their safety and integrity.  Over 150 of these 40 foot boats were built and this example has twin 400hp V8 turbo diesels that have been renovated by the owner, one has already been test-run in his workshop.  (Video available and note that both engines are not yet re-fitted).

The Broker viewed this boat at the end of January so please see the 'Broker's Comments' concerning this project.

Part 1 Registered for secure Transfer of Title.

Basic Boat Info

Boat Name: Horatia
Make: Nelson
Model: 40
Year: 1968
Condition: Used
Category: Power
Builder: Keith, Nelson & Co Bembridge
Designer: John Askham
Construction: Fiberglass

Dimensions

Length: 40 ft / 12.19 m
Length Overall: 40 ft / 12.19 m
Beam: 11 ft / 3.35 m
Max Draft: 5'7 ft / 1.70 m

Engines / Speed

Engines: 2
Engine #1 Specs:
  • Make: Caterpillar
  • Model: Type D 336TA
  • Drive Type: Direct
  • Fuel: Diesel
  • Engine Power: 400hp
  • Type: Inboard
  • Propeller Type: 3 Blade, Bronze
  • Year: 1968
  • Engine Location: Port
Engine #2 Specs:
  • Make: Caterpillar
  • Model: Type D 336TA
  • Drive Type: Direct
  • Fuel: Diesel
  • Engine Power: 400hp
  • Type: Inboard
  • Propeller Type: 3 Blade, Bronze
  • Year: 1968
  • Engine Location: Starboard
Total Engine Power: 800hp
Cruising Speed: 22 kn
Propeller RPM: 1800
Maximum Speed: 30 kn

Tanks

Fuel Tanks: 2
Fuel Tank Capacity: 160 L
Fuel Tank Material: GRP

Other

Heads Count: 1
Drive Type: Direct
Boat Class: Antique and Classics

Contact

Martin Hasker
Martin Hasker has over 30 years experience in the classic power-boat scene.

Currently renovating a wooden Fairey race-boat from the early ‘60s. Experience includes both sail and power – with time-keeping at races during Cowes Classic week for good measure.

Learning to sail in a Wayfarer dinghy led to a share in a Van der Stadt designed yacht on the River Hamble and then several Fairey powerboats including competing in an anniversary Cowes-Torquay event.

A ‘people-person’ Martin’s skills in Account Management and Partner Development have been honed over the years from the workshop floor in F1 teams to Downing Street and the City.

Contact Martin Hasker by email using the link below, or at DDI +44 (0)23 8115 7012, M +44 (0)78 6736 2225 for more details.
Nicolle Associates

Office

Nicolle Associates - Ipswich
Saltmakers House Hamble Point Marina
Hamble, GB, SO31 4NB
Tel:+44 (0)23 8115 7012
Disclaimer

Nicolle Associates offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

  • This vessel is VAT exempt due to age.
  • As always photographs do not do justice so a viewing is highly recommended.
  • This boat is lying ashore in Hayling Island, Hants, England.
  • © 2024 Nicolle Associates


Care and Attention by the current owner

'Horatia' is owned by a successful engineer who is also a very experienced diesel technician.  He and his wife have owned and enjoyed 'Horatia' for about 20 years.  The first ten were on the water and due to the desire to improve the condition of this well-documented race-boat it was brought ashore and renovation started.

Work done/commissioned by the current owner includes:

Osmosis treatment to the GRP hull

Re-paint 

CopperCoat treatment to obviate the need for anti-fouling

Removal of both engines with a strip-down and items Repaired/Renewed As Necessary.  One engine has already been test-run in the owner's work-shop.  Video available.

Repair work to the wooden 'cabin top'.

Broker's Informal Comments

I viewed 'Horatia' at the end of January 2024 and although work is still required much progress has already been achieved.

Race-boats such as 'Horatia' with its well-documented place in history are sought-after and rarely come onto the market.  There are two trends to note:

i) original engines, such as these that come with 'Horatia' but are not yet re-fitted, are increasingly important to keep as part of the provenance of the boat's history.

Many period race-boats are now fitted with lighter, quieter, and more fuel-efficient engines.  For example, twin 6 cylinder Sabre 350 hp engines are fitted to other Nelson boats, and such engine/gearbox combinations do come onto the market from time to time - including a pair when the Broker wrote this.

ii) fewer classic boats come onto the market as, increasingly, they stay within the family passing down and/or across the generations.

The 1969 Daily Telegraph-BP Round Britain Powerboat Race was so important that Ford entered a team of boats and made the famous film 'Ride the White Horses'. 
Also, Mr Crab Searl wrote a splendid book about the race.
'Horatia' is featured in both and therefore is part of Britain's heritage.  

You can view the 'Ride the White Horses' on YouTube and here is the link
... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ieTqVy5MA  .. and 'Horatia' can be clearly seen at about 14:41 into the film.

'Horatia' is very well-documented within the Nelson Boat Owners Club (which was co-founded by this boat's first owner Commander Peter Thornycroft) and here is a link to their web-site ... 

https://www.nelsonboatownersclub.co.uk/index.html  ...

 

 

 

Disclaimer

Nicolle Associates offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

  • This vessel is VAT exempt due to age.
  • As always photographs do not do justice so a viewing is highly recommended.
  • This boat is lying ashore in Hayling Island, Hants, England.
  • © 2024 Nicolle Associates