Restoration Articles
In the thick of the Second World War, while Britain bravely held off enemy invasions, a dire threat arose. Convoys of ships bringing essential supplies were falling prey to deadly torpedoes from German E-Boats. Enter Hubert Scott-Paine, a former powerboat racer and founder of the British Powerboat Company armed with an ingenious solution — the Motor Gun Boat 81.
This 70ft high-performance gun boat was equipped with a wooden hull designed for planing and three powerful Packard 1,250hp petrol engines. The result was a craft capable of an incredible 40 knots — a speed unheard of for boats of its size even in today’s standards, let alone nearly a century ago. For armament, it sported a two-pounder gun capable of firing over 100 rounds a minute at a range of over two miles, and depth charges that could strike underwater foes.
Making her graceful return from the brink of demolition is the classic 34.1-metre Trumpy yacht, Maemere. The yacht, having arrived at McMillen Yachts for a thorough restoration in 2022, is currently being rebuilt from the keel up under the talented direction of Newport-based studio, Langan Design. The process has seen the interiors of the vessel removed, with attention now turned towards re-planking the bow.
“The work hasreally picked up pace over the last year,” shares Thomas Degrémont, partner at Langan Design, noting that the yacht has been reworked to approximate her original lines as closely as possible. “The owner is eager to retain some of the yacht’s original elements, such as the cast iron tubs and mouldings, promoting a blend of heritage and modernity in the refurbished design.”