Chris

Well its been a busy winter and a long while since I've had much time to get this thread updated. Sorry!! So what have we been up to? Well........... Rake's Retreat has continued to be cleared, cleared again and cleared some more.Focus over the inter has been on her cabins rather than her exterior. Warmer there!! Forward cabins have been started to put back together with single V berths. This had been the area that had been totally ripped apart in the last few years with nothing original remaining. The bulkhead between the galley and front cabin was pretty rotten and has now been replaced. Working aft, we decided that the outer engines needed to be completely removed as they havent been run for many years. We expected the worst but our engineer took them away to strip them down. Once out the fuel tanks were accessible and we quickly discovered they were rotten through from the top and now full or fuel, water and rust so they also had to go. The centre engine has remained in place and runs. This will just be and serviced in place. Engine rooms have now been cleaned, cleared and painted out. We are also happy to report that the outer engines are in working order and are running well. Once we started to strip back panels in the wheelhouse the wiring all had to go! This is going to be replaced through the entire boat. After 74 years they were a mess! While rummaging through all of the parts that came out of Rake's Retreat we cam across a box with what looked to be a flat pack wooden item contained. We couldn't make out what it was or where it went until we stumbled across the original photo taken of the wheelhouse in 1934. We quickly realised we had an intact section of the signal flag box. It very good condition this was reconditioned and now sits back in its original location. After much consideration we have decided to change the name of Rake's Retreat. Unlucky for some maybe but she is in the process of becoming Estrellita. Spanish for Little Ship and her original name.

Only just seen this thread. I think you will all be slightly ahead of me! I leave Lowestoft for London on the 26th but should be running into Southwold for the Sunday evening. If I can support anyone in anyway please do not hesitate to shout! Chris

Its been a while since I've updated you all on Rake's refit so thought I'd post a few up to date photos. Bilges are all but finished and certainly looking much better. Forward cabin was opened up to gain access to the chain locker. This was found to have a solid mass of rusted chain which had to be chopped up to get it out of the boat! The galley has started to be pulled out ready to be replaced with something more original. The wall between the forward cabin and galley was very weak and not of any great quality so this has been pulled down and replaced ready for staining and varnishing. Forward hatch has been taken off, cleaned up and replaced. Looking so much better. The rear heads has been cleaned out ready for work to start on replacements. The helm has been pulled apart. This is going to have a complete overhaul. The original pictures of Rake's Retreat show a beautiful signal flag box. Whilst pulling the helm apart you can see where this used to be located. This will be refitted with original parts. The original wheel has been restored to her former glory. And to finish off Rake's Retreat will soon be renamed! She was commissioned as Estrallita in 1934 and the paperwork to put her back to her original name is being processed. 81 years later! Bad luck??? You decide!

Tidal curve looks to be returning back to normal in Yarmouth. We've been firmly on the mud at Somerleyton and listing.

On the afternoon of the 3rd. August 1961 the motor - yacht " Rakes Retreat " which was owned by the television personality Hughie Green who was on board at the time, was seen to be having difficulties picking up a mooring buoy in Friar's Bay. The " Field Marshal and Mrs. Smuts " was therefore launched at 5.25 pm from the Penmon and Beaumaris lifeboat stations, Anglesey, and found that the yacht's engine had broken down. A line was passed across and the yacht was towed to safety.

In June 1940 Estrellita is documented in the Ministry of War Transport list to have been commandeered by the Royal Navy. This was at the time of The Dunkirk evacuation, code-named Operation Dynamo, which took place between 27 May and 4 June 1940. We know at this time she still belonged to Mr L Clayton who was paid £12.10 for her use.

Estrellita (now Rakes Retreat) was registered in the Lloyds Register of Yachts in 1939. She is registered to the owner Lewis K. Clayton London. She is also registered has having two petrol engines. One 4 cylinder and one two cylinder.

So my father is still busy with Rakes Retreat. The chain locker has been opened up to reveal a solid lump of rusty chain. This had to be broken up with a sledge hammer and thrown out of the window. The forward cabin has then been cleaned and painted ready to be fitted out.

Hi Jon & Jo I will drop you a PM. Regards Chris

Grendal She was originally fitted with a small single engine. During the war we believe she was then fitted with the outer engines to give her her speed. The single engine was then replaced in 1997 for the larger one that in her now. Certainly the single engine is going to be more than enough for broads work. But it will be interesting to see how she behaves with all three at work. I've never had a chance to experience a triple screw boat before so I'm looking forward to the day!

A few more photos of Rake's Retreat and her current progress. Still a bit of a clean-up operations so far. Work has started on the engine rooms to start clearing this area out of leaves, dirty and general debris. The main centre engine turns over and we are confident we can fire this up in the near future. The twin smaller engines are another story. These are older than the main engine and look like they are going to need a lot more work to get them running, we are hoping though that they can be stripped down in their current home and avoid the need to have them lifted out of the boat. Both masts are in pretty good condition and seem to be the only part of the boat that has seen any upkeep in recent years. These have now been raised and fixed into position and look gorgeous. The stern hatches had been removed before my father took ownership of Rake's Retreat and these were laying in the boat. They were in pretty sound condition so have had some minor repairs done and they are now back in place. The hull of the vessel is pretty sound. Only one sprung plank below the waterline to be pulled back in the spring. The canoe stern will need some more attention. This has sprung away from various bodge fixes in the boats history. The keel is drying nicely. There is some major damage towards the bow of the boat which will be fixed in the spring. We suspect the boat has hit an underwater object at some point and has rotted from there.

We can sort that one out no problems. Give us until April

Ballast weights are out, cleaned and painted. Who needs the gym when lifting these out.

I knew there was teak under there somewhere!

Hi Ron All three are great stays for the night. The yacht station at Oulton Broad I would highly recommend. The River Centre is a great family environment and also has the benefit of a swimming pool for your grandsons. I'm sure wherever you choose you will have a fantastic time. What is the name of your boat? I am out on the water that week and will keep an eye out for you. Chris