1924 JW Brooke Fast Launch boat

’Believe me my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing, as simply messing about in boats’ said Ratty to Mole.
Brooke Marine (previously JW Brooke of Lowestoft) were boatbuilders employed for nearly a century building minor warships for many of the world’s Navy’s but, strangely enough, are better known these days for the range of beautifully crafted, wooden-hulled River Launches that they built to order pre-WWII
More recently Brooke Marine built Virgin Atlantic Challenger II for Sir Richard Branson
We are able to date Tiggy Whee to 1924 or earlier, because after JWB’s death in 1920, the family management changed from a steam bent cockpit combing, to a cheaper straight cut hexagonal design
It is generally accepted that this elegant, Art Deco-style, Cam-tailed, 20’ Gentleman’s River Launch was a late design in view of her Art Deco features with Royal Blue hull and a glorious candy stripe Mahogany and Maple deck
She is powered by an 1,100cc, four-cylinder, Morris Vedette side-valve marine engine driving a conventional Brass prop through an epicyclic fwd/reverse manual gearbox
Re-named Tiggy Whee, she has enjoyed continuous care throughout her long history, most recently enjoying careful attention to the hull timbers and replacement of the maple deck boards where required
All deck brassware has been replated in 9ct Rose Gold, even the wood screws. She comes complete with a bespoke trailer, launching dolly, tonneau cover, travel cover, a spare windscreen, two cream Lloyd
Loom chairs with cushions and a Champagne bucket with a pair of flutes
Comfortably described as immaculate, Tiggy Whee previously managed to scoop the silverware at Henley Traditional Boat festival and the Dartmouth Royal Regatta
This exquisite picnic launch would be equally at home in Henley, Marlow or the Italian/Swiss lakes.
A running spare marinized BMC Vedette engine and correct gearbox on a display stand, with electrics and instruments, and a comprehensive history file is included with the boat
Tiggy Whee offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the elegance and grace of a slower time and maybe, live a little happier & longer