This 23ft motorboat was built in 1936 to go racing by the British Powerboat Company in Hythe, Southampton.
The company was formed by Hubert Scott-Paine in the late 1920's after he sold Supermarine in Woolston (having had the foresight to offer Reginald Mitchell and job as a draughtsman). A big fire at the Hythe boatyard in the 30's destroyed many of the boats so few survive, I have compiled a rudimentary webpage listing those pleasure craft built by the company that survive, you can see the web page here
http://sites.google.com/site/britishpow ... y-register
As far as I can see there is ten surviving boats, this one, 'Red Fox', named (by me) after Scott-Paine himself is identical to Panther III, Scott-Paine's own boat still owned by his grandson in the USA (I've got photos)
I have two of these boats and with the best will in the world I'm not going to finish both so this one is for sale.
This boat was rebuilt by Phil Clabburn at the same time he rebuilt HSL102 and MGB81, although much smaller he carried out the work to the same exacting standard and Phil should be credited with the work.
The hull has been replanked, its a new mahogany deck, new mahogany transom, it has been eopxy cloth sheathed.
There is a fair amount of work to do, steering, engine, shaft, P bracket, wiring, tanks, deck fittings, but the hard, grotty, time consuming, dirty work has been done, it is in many ways a great opportunity.
If you are interested in owning a pre-war high speed planing motor boat designed and built in Britain with great provenance then your choices are limited! You could either put in a modern diesel or a period petrol, such as a Graymarine which is easily and cost effectively available from the USA. Indeed Panther III is fitted with a Graymarine.
I've been quoted by a shipwright £8,000 for some work on the hull of my other one of these and I want to go ahead, so that is my asking price, I dont imagine I'll get it so haggling is the order of the day.
I've loaded some more photos here http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u4/b ... Red%20Fox/
Trailer included, its a good trailer in good, but if you were planning on going far four new mini tyres would be a good idea.
Boat can be seen in Hamble, call 02380 456107.
Price reduced to £7800.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Ben
