H31:22 Lady B

Boat History

An interesting one. This one changed the history books, because although we knew about her existence, we had no idea that she raced. Thanks to Martin and Piers Hodges (part of the "Ramsgate Gang" in the 80's for bringing her to light) and to the current owner for photos and more in-depth history).

Sold by FM as a bare hull she was built up as a pure racing boat with custom designed super-structure and twin 325HP Mercruiser petrol engines on stern-drives.

She was entered in the 1971 Cowes-Torquay but failed to finished as she retired before Bournemouth after hitting a huge wave and throwing her crewman, Barry Bridgeland from his seat.

She finished the Poole race that year.

She was the first entry in the London Monte-Carlo, but we have no record of her racing after 1971.

Lived at Ramsgate for a while in the late 70's early 80's

Believed to have sunk near the Isle of Sheppey at some point - evidenced by the mud in the bilges and lockers.

She has undergone a full rebuild under the current management and looks resplendent as a pseudo aft cabin Huntsman 31 which belies the fact she has a pair of Sabre 180HP motors fitted under her aft cockpit, driving vee-gear-boxes and shafts. A trim wedge helps to keep her level and maintain a top speed of just shy of 30 knots.

An article about Lady B appeared in the May 1971 issue of Powerboat and Watersport magazine. A facsimile of which is held in the FOC archives.

Engine History

1970: Twin Mercruiser 325HP coupled to Stern Drives with 55" jack shafts

Perkins Diesels

Twin Sabre 180HP on vee-drives and shafts

Owners

1970: E. Bridgeland, East Kent Marine, Sandwich

Jan 87: Worthington, Guildford

Mar 87: K. Braine, Tigershark Marine, Poole

M. Woodhall, Saundersfoot

??, Medway

1993: L. Goodall, Whitby