Restoration
of
KALBARRI
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Kalbarri
A traditional luxury rampart originally built by the renowned Desty's of Portsmouth
BOAT NAME: Kalbarri
BOAT TYPE: Rampart 39
BOAT LENGTH: 39ft 6ins
BOAT BEAM: 11ft 6ins
BOAT DRAFT: 3ft 6ins
BOAT DISPLACEMENT: 24Tons TM
BYUILD NUMBER : 802, Reg. No: 378792
BOAT CONSTRUCTION: Iroko
BOAT BUILDER: Desty's of Portsmouth
BOAT YEAR: 1980
PRESERVATION
Kalbarri was in a sad state when she was brought to the yard with a lot of structural work required
Susie and Davids enthusiasm for the project was wonderful to be witnessed. Within a year Kalbarri was a transformation inside and out.
RESTORING HERITAGE
Ramparts built a range of motor yachts pre and post war and were one of the last production yards building wooden motor yachts right up to the 1980’s. Kalbarri is one of the last vessels to be built at the yard
A stunning example of a true classic tastefully restored
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Restoration
A YEAR IN THE MAKING
2018 I 2019
" A great deal more was found that needed to be done. It was only then that we realised that however bad a state a wooden boat is in, it is not beyond the ability of the Dennett's boatyard to restore" Owner David
Kalbarri (Snapdragon when she was purchased but Susie and David reverted back to her original name Kalbarri) was built by the renowned Desty’s boatbuilders of Southampton in 1980, one of the last boats to be built by this yard and one of only 4 of this design. She spent her early days on the south coast around Dartmouth and then moved to Ipswich before arriving on the Thames in 2012.
The survey identified that much of the upper deck and hull planking needed to be replaced, once out of the water it became apparent that works would need to include complete replacement of the transom, new foredeck, new coach roof, and new windows for the wheelhouse and forward cabin. Very hard news to deliver to clients who wish to stick to a budget, despite this David & Susie ploughed on and made compromises where necessary but not once did they compromise on the structural integrity of Kalbarri
Restored
KALBARRI
2019 I PRESENT DAY
A Beautiful and spacious, gentleman's motoryacht, Kalbarri is a true classic. Fortunate not only to have been saved by David and Susie but also to the highest standard. The interior has a wonderful ambience evoking traditional contemporary style, whilst the exterior is restored thoughtfully ensuring she retains the iconic lines of the Detsy Rampart 39 characteristics.
It has been a privilege to work on Kalbarri alongside Susie and David, we brim with pride every time we see her on the water always immaculately presented.
THE CLIENTS
JOURNEY
Kalbarri
TESTIMONIAL
Approaching retirement in 2018, and dreaming of reliving happy days on my wife’s parents’ motor yacht in the South of France, the search began for a suitable boat. Having already once rescued an old Edwardian Windermere tripper launch found derelict at Oxford many years ago, (now operating as a ferry in Christchurch harbour), a modern plastic boat did not appeal and after many months looking at various classic wooden motor yachts Susie and I found a very tired Rampart 39 at Reading that had potential. The survey identified that much of the upper deck and hull planking needed to be replaced . The agent selling the boat, Gillian Nahum, of Henley Sales and Charter, advised that Stephen Dennett was the person we should go to to explore the restoration options.
A year of restoration and our wish to restore her internal design to the family cruiser she was originally built to be, she has had much new hull planking, including complete replacement of the transom, new foredeck, new coach roof, and new windows for the wheelhouse and forward cabin. She has been reconfigured with 6 berths, two modern heads, a shower, new galley, rewiring and plumbing, a heating system and bench seating fitted to the after deck and latterly two new Nanni diesels.
In due course the aim is to move down to the south coast and then perhaps across the channel and into France. But for the time being, the outstanding finish that Stephen and his remarkably skilled team have achieved attracts many compliments on passing through locks on the upper reaches of the river and especially from those who have been lucky enough to join us on board. We think she looks rather fine and wishing to share her style with others, we do a limited amount of chartering for discerning guests. She will be a regular attendee at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival at Henley and on her first appearance, was awarded the “Best new attendee ” trophy by the Thames Vintage Boat Club in 2019 just recognition of Dennett's quality of work. Restoring a faded classic is immensely rewarding and she will bring a lot of pleasure for years to come.
Kalbarri Owners