Rare Hampton Mk Iv

[Ray]

I understand only three were built and just noticed one of them is up for sale on Ebay, bargain price at the moment but it will be interesting to see what she sells for!

(I have no association with the sale, just thought it was interesting given the rarity)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cabin-cruiser/142776586568?hash=item213e25d148:g:-p0AAOSw-INa5jV9

[Guest]

Not sure how I feel about this version, I would have to take a trip on one, but it look to be in good condition.

 

[Ray]

I know what you mean, looking at the photos I got the impression that due to it's design it had lost one of the great Safari attributes - lots of space in a small boat!

[Vaughan]

Perhaps a bit off the subject but I knew Alec Hampton. A very gentle and kind man who sadly died of drowning one night on his yard at Oulton. He had stayed behind to finish a job on a boat on the quay after the staff had all gone home. He must have fallen in while there was no-one around to notice and since then I have always had a rule that staff don't work out on the quay on their own, especially in winter.

He also designed and made the famous Safari "Toplet" thunder box toilets which revolutionised the hire boat business when we introduced pumpouts to the Broads. I say "we" because they were designed, made, installed and paid for entirely by the boatyards themselves, with no outside assistance. 

[Ray]

What a sad end for an innovative and more importantly a genuinly nice man!

[vanessan]

I saw that around a few times but it was about 2/3 years ago. It looked a nice boat. I like the play on the name!

[Broads01]

I'm always interested to see ex-hire rarities. I saw one of these last weekend at Rowan Craft Marina, it may have been the same one. Actually that marina is ex-hireboat city. I counted 4 Safari 25s apart from the sedan and all sorts of others. Geek that I am I found myself looking up the numbers on the boat database. 

[vanessan]

1 hour ago, Broads01 said:

I'm always interested to see ex-hire rarities. I saw one of these last weekend at Rowan Craft Marina, it may have been the same one. Actually that marina is ex-hireboat city. I counted 4 Safari 25s apart from the sedan and all sorts of others. Geek that I am I found myself looking up the numbers on the boat database. 

I think you may be right, I do believe I saw Wild Thyme last year at Rowan Craft. That is a lovely peaceful and pleasant spot, if the purchaser of the boat could also keep the mooring, they would be onto a winner I reckon!

[Ray]

It didn't sell as the reserve was not met. It only reached £10,100 so presumably the bidders were looking for a bargain rather than trying to own something special/rare.

[WherryNice]

The Sedan is also currently listed on Boatshed Norfolk, looks a nice little boat tbh.

[Ray]

Seems a reasonable asking price too. I'm sure it will sell before long.

[boycee]

Its on the NYA website ex Brundall and is marked as SOLD

Boycee 

[Ray]

That's good, I'm sure someone has got a cracking boat there. I'd have been tempted but we only bought our Mk3 last December

[Guest]

6 hours ago, boycee said:

Its on the NYA website ex Brundall and is marked as SOLD

Boycee 

I think that's an archived page from last time it sold

[eddybear]

On 12/05/2018 at 06:12, Ray said:

That's good, I'm sure someone has got a cracking boat there. I'd have been tempted but we only bought our Mk3 last December

Hi, I am the new owner of wild thyme (Hampton MK 4) I bought her three weeks ago, there was only three built, one had a mishap with a bridge and has since been somewhat altered in design, the one I bought and the one at Rowan Craft are identical boats, So yes for an Ex-hire boat Very rare, compared to the Mk 2 and Mk 3 Hamptons  as different as Chalk and cheese, but as these were not only built but fitted out by Hamptons for their own Hire fleet the finish is extremely good. So I am a happy boater  

[Ray]

Congratulations, many happy cruises ahead 

[coolcat]

On 12/07/2018 at 10:43, eddybear said:

Hi, I am the new owner of wild thyme (Hampton MK 4) I bought her three weeks ago, there was only three built, one had a mishap with a bridge and has since been somewhat altered in design, the one I bought and the one at Rowan Craft are identical boats, So yes for an Ex-hire boat Very rare, compared to the Mk 2 and Mk 3 Hamptons  as different as Chalk and cheese, but as these were not only built but fitted out by Hamptons for their own Hire fleet the finish is extremely good. So I am a happy boater  

Pleasure to meet you this evening and many thanks for showing me round Wild Thyme. If you fancy a beer or wine later.....I'm in all night