WHITE CORAL FAMILLE POWLES

None was built in huge numbers, and in many cases the grat majority were exported, mostly to the south of France. So, although Powles boats were amongst the market leaders in the 1970s. You don't see that many around today, and they only rarely crop up in the secondhand market. When they come up for sale, they fetch prices ranging from as little as £30.000 for an older 37 riquiring extensive renovation, through £ 70.000 to £ 75.000 for a well-maintened Super 38, to over £ 90.000 for a good example of a 53.

Hulls were moulded by Aquafibre of Rackheath, near Norwich, and the general standard of construction and engineering was high. Their interior fit-out was, for their time, decidedly plush, but the boats did suffer from poor quality-control in some areas. This was notable around the windows, which had a tendency to leak, although it must be said that they were not alone in this problème amongs cruisers of the period ; window manufacturing processes, and the standard of installation, have improved immensely since the 1970s.

Jack Powles & Co, or Jack Powles International as it was renamed in the mid-1970s, continued to built boats until 1982, when they sold out to the Renwick group, owners of A H Moody & Son and Marine Projects (now Princess Yachts International).

Moody built half a dozen of the larger models, from the 46 upwards, all for export, and Marine Projects produced a handful of super38s. But whithin a few year they where all discontinued.

Trend Marine Products

Manufacturing in Action, Source : British Industry
Published : 03 Mar 2004 10:45

Trend Marine Products is the largest and one of the fastest growing producers of marine glazing in Europe and the company has made some serious investments in its core competences. Kate Morley reports

Founded in 1973, by a trio of Norfolk boat builders, Trend Marine Products has been supplying some of the world’s largest and best known boat manufacturers with marine windows and associated products for over three decades and has recently been enjoying considerable success in export markets as far afield as the US and Australia.

The company is based on a 12 acre site at Catfield, Norfolk, some 12 miles north east of Norwich. This site includes four principal manufacturing units and the company’s administrative offices, covering between them a total of 150,000 square feet of built area. The head count is presently around 290 with 190 of these being direct labour.

Trend’s first customer was Jack Powles Marine, a Wroxham-based builder of high quality motor cruisers and shortly thereafter Broom Boats, another Norfolk company, also began to buy the company’s aluminium windows. Broom remains a customer today and in the intervening 30 years has been joined by every other major motor yacht builder in Great Britain. And it is not just British manufacturers that appreciate the quality of Trend’s products: the company now exports 25 per cent of its production to boat builders in 15 countries worldwide.

Trend’s relationships with all its major UK customers are long standing: 30 years with Fairline and Princess, 25 years with Sunseeker and almost 20 years in the case of Sealine. The strength and depth of these relationships means that Trend becomes involved in the very early stages of development of every new boat in order to advise on glazing requirements, compliance with regulations etc. The same applies with major export customers, particularly in the US, where Trend supplies Carver Boats with more than 80 per cent of their glass and glazing requirement and more than 50 per cent of the glass used by Tiara Yachts. Both of these companies are in a similar market segment to Trend’s UK customers as medium volume builders of high quality motor boats.

As Trend has grown in tandem with the UK boat building industry over the past 30 years the company has tailored its products and production processes to the specific requirements of medium volume builders of high quality motor cruisers and motor yachts. Hence Trend acquired the technology and expertise to bend complex stainless steel sections, using custom built CNC machinery unique in the UK and to produce complex curved shapes in relatively small batches on its custom made vertical glass plants.

Over the past 10 years the company has invested in excess of £8 million on the Catfield site, particularly in glass processing technology and in expanding manufacturing space to keep pace with UK and export demand. The glass bending and toughening equipment installed was chosen specifically to support customers’ requirements for high optical quality, the ability to produce relatively thick glass (typically from 6mm to 12mm for use in windscreens and up to 19mm for specialised applications such as stair treads and table tops), complex curved shapes (including double curvature) and relatively small batch runs. To support its manufacturing capability the company has also invested in state-of-the-art CAD software including AutoCAD 2000 and Pro-Engineer and currently has a design and development staff of 15.

Another philosophy which has served Trend well over the past three decades is to be a one-stop shop for its customers glazing requirements. This has lead the company to branch out into areas such as deck hatches, portlights, shower doors and sunroofs in an attempt to be able to supply any product used on motor yachts which includes acrylic or glass. The latest step forward in this process is the outsourcing to China of the manufacture of many stainless steel components and even of some simple finished products in order to maintain competitive pricing in the global marketplace.

One very visible change in the global boating market in the past 30 years has been the average size of production built fibreglass boats. When Trend started out the biggest fibreglass, series built boat anywhere in the world was probably in the 50 to 60 foot range and the average was probably nearer to 20 feet. Now, the smallest boat for which Trend supplies product is 23 feet and the largest, still a series built boat, is 130 feet. There are something like 30 to 40 manufacturers worldwide producing fibreglass boats in the 70 to 80 foot range. This increase in size and cost has generated increases in complexity and customer expectations which Trend is very well placed to fulfil, whether the requirement is for curved electric patio doors on a 130 footer or a powered carbon fibre sunroof on a high performance 70 foot motor yacht.

Although Trend is very proud of its long relationships with some of the finest names in luxury boat building the company is also focused on acquiring new customers to assure its continuing growth. To achieve this Trend exhibits a range of products at the two major global marine trade shows: METS in Amsterdam and IBEX in Fort Lauderdale, US.

Name : Bill Dunlop
Address : Marintec Silverton House
Kings Hyde Mount Pleasant
Lymington Hampshire
SO41 8LT UK

Phone : 01590 683414
Mobile : 07836 645577
Fax : 01590 683719
Specialisation : Fairey Marine, Jack Powles, Nautor ranges plus timber construction, GRP, aluminium & steel. Engineering, systems & electrics. Overseeing construction & trials.
MCA services: Nominated Surveyor Level 1
Area of operation: UK & Europe

Bill Dunlop said to the Amiral :

"I worked at Jack Powles, Wroxham, as production manager for a while and I do have certain information about the vessels. This information is used for our principal occupation of marine surveyors. However, due to work load and commitments I regret I do not have the necessary spare time in order to help you regarding the very time consuming job of what appears to be writing the history of Jack Powles. With kind regards. BILL DUNLOP. MARINTEC"

Thank you for answer Sir Dunlop and may be, if you have just a short time for us .....

Please, we are looking for :

POWLES EXPRESS CRUISERS : POWER BOAT CATALOG : 1972

*************************

POWLES EXPRESS CRUISERS : POWER BOAT CATALOG, issued by Jack Powles International Marine Ltd., Wroxham, Norwich, Norfolk, England, in September 1972. Contains 20 pages, including light card cover. 11.75 x 8.25 inches (30.0 x 21.0 cms.), approx. Multi-lingual in ENGLISH - FRENCH - GERMAN - ITALIAN - SWEDISH. Printed in England. Ref: 4112/972.

This very comprehensive full range catalog shows data, specifications, equipment, illustrations, dimensional line drawings, interior illustrations, etc., for the following boats:- 37 SPORTS FISHERMAN : 37 SPORTS TRAVELLER : 41 CRUISER : 45 SPORTS FISHERMAN : 45 AFT CABIN. Also included is a four page fold-out brochure for THE NEW POWLES 38, and a U.K. Price List, Data Specifications List, and Optional Extras price List - dated January 1973.

Many thanks for help to :

Anthony Trafford http://www.goboatinguk.com http://www.boatingholidays.co.uk http://www.jpcdirect.co.uk atrafford@jpcdirect.co.uk

Claire Frew. Editorial Assistant Motor Boats Monthly mbm@ipcmedia.com http://www.mbmclub.com http://www.ybw.com

Peter Nash. Editor. Boating Business pnash@boatingbusiness.co.uk

Jane Cox. Practical Boat Owner jane_cox@ipcmedia.com

Jane Gentry. Chief Executive, YBDSA jane@ybdsa.co.uk
The Glass Works, Penns Road, Petersfield, Hants GU32 2EW
Phone : 01730 710425/710490 Fax : 01730 710423 http://www.ybdsa.co.uk

Dawn Hinsley. Editorial Assistant Yachts & Yachting Magazine 196 Eastern Esplanade Southend-on-Sea Essex SS1 3AB phone : 01702 582245 Fax : 01702 588434 http://www.yachtsandyachting.com

Janet Link. Assistant to Financial Controller Broom Boats jlink@broomboats.com
http://www.broomboats.com Phone : 01603 712334

Thanks to Alex McMullen (25 years of motor cruisers 1960-1984 ) who has been involved with boats since his teenage years, progressing from dinghy sailing in the Solent to extensive cruising around the British Isles and mainland Europe under both sail and power.He joined Motor Boat and Yachting magazine in 1966 as a reporter, and from 1979 to 1986 was the magazine's editor. He now works as a freelance boating journalist and is consultant editor of Motorboats Monthly.

POWLES 36

Bernard Olesinski, who designed most of the current range of Fairlines and Princesses, made is name with several of the range of fast cruiser built by Jack Powles International of Wroxhan, including the Powles 36. Between 1975 and 1978, some 45 Powles 36s were built.

Thes standard version has six berths, with an owner's stateroom and small guest cabin forward and a convertible settee in the whellhouse/saloon. However, all but a few of the boats have the alternative " Mediterranean" version which has just four berths, a larger owner's stateroom and no guest cabin. Both have an aft cockpit and a fly bridge.

Hull shape is semi deep-vee, that is, deep-vee forward and midships, medium-vee aft. Most 36s are powored by twin 210 or 212 hp Ford Sabre diesels. Top speed should be about 25 knots.

Length overall : 36 ft 0 in (10.97 mètres)

Beam : 12 ft 3 in (3.73 mètres)

Draught : 3 ft 0 in (0.91 mètre)

Hull/deck material : GRP

25 years of motor cruisers 1960-1984 Alex McMullen Adlard Coles Nautical

POWLES 36 + 2 and SUPER 38

As the name suggests, the powles 36+2 is a stretched (by 2 ft) version of the Powles 36. The Powles Super 38 is based on the same hull as the 36+2 and has a very similar layout, but its superstructure is noticeably more streamlined.

Bernard Olesinski was the designer, Jack Powles International the builder. Between 1977 and 1981, eighteen Powles 38+2 were built. The Super 38, of which thirty were built, was in production from 1980 to 1982. The photographs and drawings show a Super 38.

Both boats have an aft cockpit and accomodations for up to six people, with four permanent berths in two cabins forward and a convertible settee in the wheelhouse/saloon. Both have a flying bridge and aft cockpit, but on the 38 the flying bridge is extended aft, providing more room up top and some shelter in the cockpit.

Hull form is "semi deep-vee" (deep-vee at midships, medium-vee aft). The 36+2 are usually fitted with twin 212 hp Ford Sabre diesels, the 38s twin 220 hp Volvo diesels or the 212 hp Sabres. Top speeds are in the region of 23 to 25 knots.

25 years of motor cruisers 1960-1984 Alex McMullen Adlard Coles Nautical

Length overall : 38 ft 0 in (11.58 mètres)

Beam : 12 ft 3 in (3.73 mètres)

Draught : 3 ft 0 in (0.91 mètre)

Hull/deck material : GRP

POWLES 38

THE Powles 38 was the first of several fast cruisers from Jack Powles International to be designed by Bernard Olesinski, nowadays better known for hisboats in the current Fairline and Princesse ranges. The boat was launched at the 1973 London Boat Show and 40 were built between then and 1979.

All but one of thr boats have an aft cabin, with a total of six berths, two more in the forward cabin and a settee-cum-double berth in the saloon/wheelhouse. Outside, there's a generous amount of deck space, with wide side decks and a spacious raised aft deck (on the aft-cabin boats) from which steps lead up to a fly bridge.

Hull form is medium-vee with a long shallow keel. All the boats are powered by twin diesels, most commonly 235 hp Volvo and 175 hp Perkins, giving top speeds of about 24 and 20 knots respectively.

25 years of motor cruisers 1960-1984 Alex McMullen Adlard Coles Nautical

Length overall : 38 ft 0 in (11.58 mètres)

Beam : 13 ft 2 in (4.01 mètres)

Draught : 3 ft 0 in (0.91 mètre)

Hull/deck material : GRP

Built period 1973-1979 Number built : 40
Length overall 38ft (11.58m) Beam 13ft 2in (4.01m) Draught 3ft (0.91m)
Air draught 12ft 4in 3.76m) with mast lowered Displacement 8-9 tonnes

The Powles 38 has six berths : a double in a comfortable aft cabin with an en-suite toilet/shower compartment, two single in a forward cabin, and a double that can be made up from the settee in a spacious wheelhouse/saloon.
Between the saloon and the forward cabin are the galley, in a practical u-shaped layout, and a second, larger WC with shower. There is a spacious deck over the aft cabin, and wide side decks. The flybridge has just one bench seat as standard, at the centreline helm station, but it take three people quite comfortably. Access to the interior is through a hatchway on early boats, or a wider patio-style door on later ones.

Various twin shaftdrive diesel installations can be found, most commenly 175hp Perkins T6.354s, 210hp Mermaid Fords and 235hp Volvo Penta TAMD60s. These should give top speed of about 20 knots, 22knots and 24 knots respectively.

Powles had the hulls of their boats moulded by Aquafibre, and the general standard of construction and engineering was high. But there was a lake of quality control in some areas. In particular, look for signs of leaks aound and below all windows. It could be that they will need redealing or replacing, and damaged cabin linings might need renewing too. Given the age of these boats, a comprehensive professional survey is a must for any prospective buyer. You should also have the engine thoroughly inspected and tested by a marine engineer.

POWLES 41

Jack Powles International of Wroxham, Norfolk, built 47 Powles 41s between 1972 and 1976, and one more in 1980. John Bennet designed this beamy fast cruiser.

The boat sleeps eight, with one cabin forward and two aft, and e settee which pulls out into a double berth in the saloon/wheelhouse. The exterior layout is notable for the fact that the foredeck, wide side decks and large, uncluttered aft deck are all on the same level. The flying bridge is just four steps up from the aft deck.

Hull shape is medium-vee. Twin 145 hp Perkins or 235 hp Volvo diesels are the most common engine installations, giving maximum speeds about 24 or 27 knots respectively.

25 years of motor cruisers 1960-1984 Alex McMullen Adlard Coles Nautical

Length overall : 41 ft 10 in (12.75 mètres)

Beam : 14 ft 6in (4.42 mètres)

Draught : 3 ft 4in (1.01 mètre)

Hull/deck material : GRP

Powles 41 original design plans of John A Bennet

POWLES 46

Powles 46 were built from 1978 until 1983, designed by Bernard Olesinski, 14 units were built aft-cockpit with 6-8 berths. Volvo 270s, GM 435s. (24 / 28 knots). Powles 46 is a shorter version of 53.

POWLES 53

Powles 53 were built from 1976 until 1984, designed by Bernard Olesinski, 14 units were built aft-cockpit with 4-6+1 berths. GM 435s. (25 knots).

Anthony Trafford 25/11/2005 interview :

Mr Trafford tell us about relationship between Jack Powles Limited and Azimut ?

"The only relationship we had with Azimut was that we shared the same designer as in Bernard Olesinski. They built a similar boat to the Powles 36. Their version was 43'. We did talk to them about building some of their 43's in England and vice versa. But this was in the early 80's not the 70's."

And about relationship with Broom ?

"Our relationship with Broom was also short lived,but very simple."

And at th end, relationship with Princess ?

"Our relationship with was simply yhat we sold the company in 1981."

"When we decided to commence building luxury boats, we did not have a hull or superstructure or any expertise. We decided to find a partner. The partner was the major shareholder at Aquafibre who mouled boats for Brooms and others. They therefore built plug and mould for us. But then we had no expertises or enopught craftmen to build such a boat so we had to find some good boatbuilders to help us to develop the first boat thet were, Ted Brewster and Derek Leveridge (later started Trend Marine Windows). They built the first ever Powles 37. We booked space at the London Boat Show for the first boat, but therefore taking it to the show, we insisted that the boat had to be sea trialled before the show. Due to the boat being late for delivery to Earle Court, our partner decided that there was no time to sea trial it. We decided we could not sell a boat which had not been tested and fell out with our partner as we had agreed that the boat WOULD be tested before the show. Consequently, that the first Powles 37 became the Broom 37'. So we had to start again with the design of a new superstructure, but continued to use the same hull."

"Our N° 1 dealer was based in Beaulieu Sur Mer under the name of Mare Nostrum, They sold some 50+ Powles 36 and 36+2's. That company is no longer in business. The only person who worked there who is still around is Alain Nicaud who now sells Versil boats, I think still in Beaulieu."

Do you know the Alex McMullen book ?

Yes, I helped Alex Mc Mullen write the article, but regrettably, it is not 100% accurate.

Thank you very much Mr Trafford.

Jack Powles & Co came into being in the mid-1920s,

On the river Bure 1920

to build and hire out sailing cruisers on the Norfolk Broads from a base in Wroxham, on the river Bure.

On the river Bure Norfolk

During World War Two they built a number of motorboats for the Royal Navy, and in a peacetime produced commercial craft alongside a growing fleet of hireboats, power and sail.

On the river Bure 1970

In 1968 they launched the Powles 37, the first of a series of boats that by the standards of the day were large, luxurious motoryachts.

On the river Bure 1970

Early models were designed by John Bennett, later ones by Bernard Olesinski , 1 Sun Hill, West Cowes, Isle of Wight , Isle of Wight, PO31 7HY Tel: +44 44 (0) 1983 29 ; many of them shared the same hull design, stretched and in some case shortened. They ranged in size from 33ft (10m) to 53ft (16m)