Thames Cruiser for sale in THAMES United Kingdom

Boat Overview

Thelmarie is an interesting motor yacht, possibly described as a motor sailer. The sail serves more as a steadying sail, and for its current use as a Thames cruiser, the mast is likely more decorative than functional.

Owner's Background

The current owner upgraded the boat with the help of Mark Stanley, formerly of Stanley and Thomas boatbuilders in Windsor. He purchased Thelmarie in 2016 due to its elegant lines and suitability for extensive cruising. However, he now finds it less ideal for teaching sailing to teenagers.

Engine Details

A new Beta Marine 4 cylinder diesel engine was installed alongside the Yanmar GM10 wing engine. Both engines are easily accessible from the wheelhouse.

Construction and Design

Thelmarie was originally built in 1949 of mahogany on oak as a motoryacht, designed by Mylne in Bute, Scotland. The high-quality mahogany planking was leftover from WWII torpedo boat construction. It was made for a lone cruising gentleman who used to cruise the Western Isles of Scotland. A chain-winch was installed for solo cruising, and the boat likely had an open cockpit at that time, where the wheelhouse now exists.

Mast and Sail History

Originally, there was a mast with a jib and trysail, featuring a sail area of 180 sq ft. This was removed in 1981 and replaced in 2000 by a 12 inch Douglas Fir signals mast with mahogany crosstrees.

Ownership History

Ownership history is available from 1968 onwards. The boat eventually made its way to a Thames-based owner who used it with his children and a Bassett hound. At that time, Thelmarie still had its sail and a brass light on the wheelhouse roof, with decks painted in beige canvas. Mr. Stead and family relocated to Kent, enjoying cruising in waves with '6 ft drops from peaks to troughs'. For a while, she was a live-aboard while he house hunted.

In 1980, Mr. Stead sold the boat to Mr. Casey, who kept her in Folkestone Harbour. The boat later returned to Eel Pie Island, where a retired Royal Navy officer bought it in July 1991. He spent 7 years restoring her, replacing the entire wheelhouse and aft cabin roof, along with some ribs and the transom. After extensive work, including rebuilding the engine and rewiring, he sold Thelmarie at Racecourse Yacht Basin in 1998 to Andrew and Cathy Scott.

The Scott family owned the boat for nearly two decades, cruising around the East Coast and even crossing the Channel to Paris in 2001 and 2006. Much of the boat's history is thanks to their research.

Subsequently, Mark Stanley became the owner in a parlous state, and it was his care that saved the boat from being scrapped. The current owner took custody in 2016, and a thorough survey was conducted, with the yard instructed to act on all recommendations. This report is available for future owners.

Registration and Specifications

The Lloyds register lists Thelmarie as number 399157, while the Thames Vintage Boat Club has her as number 54, according to the plate in the wheelhouse. The survey describes her as a round bilge double diagonal motor cruiser with raised fore and aft cabins and a central wheelhouse. The bilge keels on either side make her suitable for tidal and estuarial areas. Thelmarie is a versatile vessel for a couple or family, offering ample sleeping space below decks, a galley, and a simple heads.

Additional Features

Thelmarie includes a full winter cover to protect the varnish on the topsides. She comes with a current Boat Safety Scheme certificate and a 2022 EA licence for any future Thames user.