PBW River Launch for sale in Henley on Thames United Kingdom

Blue Duck is the result of several months of collaboration between a discerning client and her chosen boatbuilder, Hamish Patterson of PBW in Hawkshead. The client knew she wanted something bespoke with seating for up to 10 passengers, a comfortable mid ships steering position with a wheel mounted on the generous central console and finally there had to be a decent canopy.

Furthermore being a fan of electric propulsion our client was adamant that a current state of the art system by installed and this was done by Henley Technical Services using a 4kw system. Aside from battery storage there are several lockers for storage as well as one in which to put ice for the day.

The woods chosen at the yard were a mix of ash, coffin oak and cedar. Why coffin oak? - well the boatyard is adjacent to a Grade 1 National Trust listed chapel between Outgate and Hawkshead and Hamish inherited a stock of centenarian oak put aside for coffins. The result is a warm, stable oak with beautiful markings. The actual hull construction is of cedar strip planking so Blue Duck is strong and lightweight with the correct credentials to be considered as a 'contemporary classic' in the same vein as a Spirit sailing yacht.

The owner chose to have a bespoke picnic basket made which sits on the aft deck on specially made supports. The canopy covers two thirds of the cockpit so that sun worshippers may sit in the bow and bask while other guests are under the protection of the Sunbrella covered wooden frame. There is also a fitted full length cover for use in winter when the boat is not in its boathouse or for times when she is stored outside afloat.

Blue Duck is every bit as special as described above and has been stored annually over winter at HSC since her build in 2019. The beautiful cushions are not visible in the photos as they had been removed for winter storage. BSS and Thames licence both current.

Viewing strictly by appointment.