Having seen Chichester Harbour I am determined to explore it by duck punt.
Outside of the confines of the Essex and Suffolk salt marshes I have never seen such perfect punting territory and I am determined to explore it in the winter before it becomes clogged with boats.
I have never seen so many Centaurs in one place - six in one boatyard was the maximum number. I now know that I want an A layout Centaur ashore in Chichester Harbour.
I want one with a decent inside but a recently jiggered engine. If it is the right boat I can go to £2,000.
I want to buy the boat on the harbour, move it to one of the marinas - Thornham Marina , looks perfect.
For starters the staff were lovely to this weird bloke asking about old Centaurs who strolled in out of the blue on Saturday morning. They have acres of good yard space, electricity in the yard, some great drying pontoons
- and I love a drying pontoon.
For starters they are cheaper than all tide pontoons, you can get to the boat at any time so night time arrivals by car means that you can safely get aboard and doss down until the water arrives. Also while e aboard waiting for the weather to change you also have the pleasure of watching the tide come and go.
I love the difference between high and low tide.
I love lying in the boat and feeling the tide come back. I really love it when it is blowing a hoolie and the boat has her keels firmly embedded in the mud. So chaps -
I want to buy one of those fifteen or twenty A layout early production run, spade ruddered abandonned old Centaurs that are in those yards around that lovely harbour.
Once she comes to me and I am working on her I shall have the duck punt with me - between coats of paint I shall go for some splendid low tide sails around Chichester Harbour.
Then once the conversion has been done I shall sail the Centaur into every nook and cranny at high tide. I really want to do this while the flocks of winter migrants are still around. So chaps.... please help me to find the perfect boat.
I am not asking much, she is not pretty, she does not have a functioning engine, her electrics are shot, the berth cushions have seen their best days, her sails were dry stored.
She is there, in that harbour where all her sisters were born.
I want to give at least one of those early boats a second chance at life - as opposed to thier otherwise ineviatble meeting with a JCB and a skip.
Here are the snaps and the keel images - three possible boats - none of them are on the market.... yet.
Chichester Harbour
Centaur 1
Centaur 2
Centaur 3
other boats and good centaurs
Centaur wheeel
no good
two old Mirrors
I choose number 2.
If you do come and explore the area, don’t forget to slip under Hayling Island bridge and come and see Langstone Harbour as well.
You can if you’re feeling adventurous slip into Portsmouth harbour the back way too, but there are a few low bridges so you’d have to paddle. I’ve done it in a kayak so a duck punt should be fine. Just don’t do it at high water springs as you’d need a submarine. lol.
Three huge interconnected harbours to explore and modifying a Centaur should see you through the winter.
Hello Dylan
As you are going to be based not far from me, well an hours drive, and I have some skills and tools and no money, I am willing to be a donkey for the Centaur Project. I am sure that you will have lots of willing helpers, the problem will be fighting them off.
Jim
Centaur #1 is in my club (LSC) – need me to ask about for the owner???
Yes coming from Southampton once you pass the M275 turnoff, Portsea creek runs just at the side of the A27 for a short while before joining Langstone harbour. A bit noisy but its a lot easier in a small boat than crossing the seafront. On the opposite side of the creek from the A27 are the moat and battlements of Portsmouth’s shore-facing defences which prevented Napoleon or whoever else outflanking the city and invading from landward.
A century or two ago the back passages (ooer missus) were a route for the Portsmouth to London Canal: The canal started in Central Portsmouth and then via the back routes to Chichester’s canal and on to provide an inland route to London. Not very successful as it limited the size of boats and was killed off by the Railways.
If you’re not refurbing the engine I would think about an hour to disconnect.
Cut the exhaust hose, you’ll never get it to pull off the manifold. The shaft
coupling will be the most difficult bit unless there’s a hole in a quarter berth.
Cut your hole in the cockpit sole first thinking about it, may make things easier.
if the engine bolts don’t undo you can often remove the mounts from the engine.
What are you going to do with the stern tube?
I am advised that Centaur #1 should more correctly be described as Pageant #1… she also has a new engine….
Dylan
Is Maria your 2 choice. She was with us for many years and only left Thornham last year.