Chris

Hi Jenny Thank you for your response. We do currently work with some organisations in Brundall but also love to work on every type of motorboat. We have trained those with open top day boats right through to those with 40ft cruisers, including those who work on the broads network. Do you sail? I'd love to move the centre into teaching sailing as well but there already seems to be a number of centres operating on the broads.

Hi Ian, Thank you for the list. We have done a lot of internet and library trawling so far but have not come up with anything. She may of course have been taken by the Navy towards the end of 1940..... We are currently speaking to Greenwich and a couple of other sources to find out some dates. The good thing is there seems to be massive amounts of history with the boat, just not in our hands! Chris

Moderators, I hope you do not mind a little plug?! East Coast Motorboat Training is an RYA recognised training centre situated on the beautiful River Waveney at Somerleyton. The centre was established in 2015 by our Principle Chris Billson, who has over 25 years boating experience on inland waterways of the UK and at sea. We have a mission to deliver professional, quality tuition that is fun, safe and rewarding for the whole family. Our clients range from leisure boaters with their first day boat to those with 40ft cruisers. Whether you are new to boating or have owned a boat for years, we can offer courses tailored to your needs. Training can either be taken on our training vessel Maujon or on your own boat. Our main base is situated in East Anglia but we are happy to discuss training throughout the UK. We also run the Short Range Certificate VHF course from our classroom near Diss, Norfolk. We teach this course to a wide range of clients from private boaters to commercial clients such as local authorities. Our courses are fully certified by the RYA for Inland Waterways Crew, Inland Waterways Helmsman and Short Range Certificate VHF. For those wishing to boat abroad we also offer the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) training and assessments for Inland Power craft under and over 10m LOA including the CEVNI examination. If you would prefer to concentrate more on a particular subject we can offer non RYA clinics that focus on areas to improve your skills such as Boat Handling, Crew Safety and Deckwork. These can either be as an individual or as part of a club or organisation. For those wishing to venture onto coastal waters we can offer assisted passages either on your boat or alongside our training vessel. To discuss your training or to find out more information on what we can offer, please do not hesitate to contact us on 07570 794196 or by email at info@eastcoastmotorboattraining.co.uk.

Dave, We are unsure at the moment. Being requisitioned by the Royal Navy from 1940 to 1946 on the South Coast would make it unlikely if she didn't go however, we are currently doing some more investigation as to what she was up to when this evacuation took place. All Rake's Retreats papers are at the National Maritime Museum so its a bit of a long process to find out her history but we are digging deep. We will keep you updated! Chris

My father is in the process of a major restoration of a classic Motor Yacht 'Rake's Retreat'. Built in 1934 Rake's Retreat, originally named 'Estrellita', is a 48ft, triple screw, wooden motor yacht. She was designed and built by John Thorncraft & Co. ltd of Hampton on Thames, Middlesex. Estrillita returned to Thornycroft's yard in Spring 1934 to be lengthened by 4ft with the addition of a canoe stern replacing the original transom. In 1940 she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy as a harbour patrol vessel in the Rochester and Chatham area, manned by a Petty Officer, Coxwain, Able Seaman and mechanic. Decommissioned in 1946. After only a few years ownership Estrillita was sold re-named Little Star. In 1955 she was moved to the the River Thames. In 1960 she was bought by the television presenter and personality Hughie Green who re-named her Rakes Retreat. During Hughies time at Thames Television filming Opportunity Knocks he moored Rakes Retreat at Teddingon and lived aboard. Now registered as an historic ship all Rakes Retreat's original plans / records, river trial photographs are kept at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. My father has a facebook page which I am trying to keep updated for him. If you would like to follow his progress like his facebook page www.facebook.com/rakesretreat I will of course also try to keep this site updated also

Not exactly a new member however, I've been away from this forum for a while so thought I would say hi...........again. I'm now the Chief Instructor for an RYA Recognised training centre, East Coast Motorboat Training, so hopefully I will be able to offer advice from a training perspective and offer some of my 28 years experience.

We had a fantastic trip thanks. Over far to quick though. How was yours? Be good to see your pics

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A few pictures on Our trip to London

No problems. I had half fallen asleep waiting for that bridge! We were heading off to London. First stop was in Shotley then up the Thames on Tuesday. I must post some pictures when I manage to get them resized. I believe some of the others are up there at the moment.

Some nice photos! I thought I saw you entering Lowestoft. I can imagine what the sea state was like in your direction. It was bad enough surfing it.

Sounds good Wayne

Well we're planning on Shotley for the 25th, Limehouse for the 26th then into St kats for the 27th. I believe we're then heading upto Woodbridge on the 6th August.

To figure the optimum speed for best fuel consumption, multiply the square root of the waterline in feet times 1.34 Mine comesout at 8 knots

We will be heading down to London last week in July. Limehouse lock can open at almost any time and last year provided us with a better cruise, rather than really early mornings to get to St. Kats. Marina is in a good area (Gordan Ramsey's pub is on the corner of the lock) and lock keepers can't do enough to help. Just a word of advise for those who have not been in Limehouse lock before, on entering the tide will throw your bow towards the lock wall so be ready! St. Kats is then only a short trip backout on the Thames. Without all the waiting about!!!

14?!?!?! Gee at that speed I'd need to tie the mast down!! I'm thinking more around the 10s! We're definatly on for London though. Is anyone thinking of heading further up the Thames?

Should be taking a trip over to Holland sometime in June with the RYA. A cruise in company is being put on by guys who run the courses. They are looking to do this over a month, including the inland waterways, but we looking to do this over a couple of weeks. Most of the boats that I know are looking to go vary 8 knots max upward (Think a dunkirk little ship is also heading over), so if anyone is interested I'll find out the dates. We are also heading down to London in the summer and would be good to catch up with some of you. Proabably to meet in maybe St Kats, Not sure we could keep up with the group on the way down!!!!!!

I would of liked to have come along but I'm going to be on my instructors course with RYA that weekend, maybe see some of you out there in passing!!

It was a tad bumpy! All the way up to Great Yarmouth thanks to NR and Somerleyton bridge!!

I think my **** would of been a few feet from the seat!!!