Miss Isle
37' Don Shead Design
GRP construction V8 petrols. I believe she first raced in 1982 and can be seen in black livery at The Cowes Torquay Classic.
Barn stored and stripped out for over 30 years
Someone had started converting her into a day boat and had removed some bulkheads and raised the floors. Hull in good shape but requires full rebuild internally and replacement bulkheads now.
Blank canvas
With so much now removed, I have the opportunity to rebuild her from scratch, to get her back to being an old school marathon raceboat again.
On our way back to Cornwall
Drives
The engines will be a tandem configuration which will require bulkheads to be altered and other modifications to be made. The shaft centers will be 32" apart. A pair of matched Super Speed Master Mk3's have been sourced for the final drives.
Viareggio 1984
To the barn for work to start
A year of planning
It has taken me a year so far of thinking, advice taking, listening to other racers and riggers and sourcing the main engines and drive systems
Next to the 33' HTS Perkins
Miss Isle may only be 4' longer, but she is twice the size of HTS, a much bigger project.
Cutting out
Stripping away the old has started, cutting back to the original structure. New bulkheads, ribs and decks will be done. It all takes a lot of time and thought.
Speedmasters
With transom work carried out, I have fitted Speedmaster MK3's with 10" stand off boxes. Twin ram hydraulic K planes and Latham hydraulic steering. This is a first fix to check dimensions, all to be removed, painted and refitted.
Side view of these massive drives which will handle 1000 hp each.
Seating designed and made and a test fit before going to the upholsterers for the 2" high density foam padding and vinyl covering
Seating for 4, or 2 with a removable 2nd row.
New seats
The two row bolster seats were sent to JDS Upholstery, where I worked with Sally to create the pattern and design for the seating. I wanted black with orange detail, but keeping the 1980's feel.
Sally did a fantastic job and I look forward to working with her again on the interior.