From the multitude of names, makes and brands inhabiting the F marine ecosystem, few attract such universal acclaim as the Nelson hull. Much loved by pilots, port authorities, the military, police, commercial operators and leisure boat owners alike, this semidisplacement masterpiece has been making waves (literally and figuratively) since its creation in the early 1960s.
The man behind the original design was Peter Thornycroft, a third-generation member of the family whose eponymous company eventually became part of British Shipbuilders. Following a distinguished career in the British Navy, Peter Thornycroft formed two companies, Keith, Nelson & Company Limited in 1955 and, a decade later, TT Boat Designs. Incidentally, the Nelson name has nothing to do with the one-armed chap in Trafalgar Square – it comes from Arthur Nelson who, together with Keith Butt, was building boats locally when Thornycroft arrived and employed them. Their operating name of ‘Keith, Nelson’ was retained in the new firm’s title on becoming a limited company.
The story of the Nelson hull itself can be traced back to a 29-footer of 1959 vintage built for amateur yachtsman and scion of the banking dynasty Leopold de Rothschild. The success of this vessel led to the Nelson 32, followed by the best-selling Nelson 34 in 1962 and, two years later, the Nelson 40. Of these, the 40 was a gamechanger as it enabled pilots to travel to and from shore in any weather, doing away with the need to station them out at sea on waiting boats for extended periods of time. This go-anywhere-anytime reputation led to numerous boatbuilders engaging TT Boat Designs and its subsequent chief designer Arthur Mursell to create their own take on the Nelson hull.
ISLE OF WIGHT
Among these is Seaward, (other marques include Dale and Aquastar), whose entire range of 19-42-foot leisure craft and 29- 42-foot workboats use Nelson style semidisplacement hulls. Founded by Barry Kimber and originally located in Guernsey, the Seaward brand is today owned by the Boat Development Co Ltd and based in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
IN BUILD 2001 – CURRENT PRICE RANGE £140,000 – £275,000
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The Seaward 35 featured here (the on water shots are of a sister boat) is a 2011 example being offered by Berthon, Lymington for £250,000 VAT paid. It is the largest of Seaward’s Classic range. Launched in 2001 and originally built in Guernsey, the layout of the 35 remains largely unchanged to this day. That surely bears testament to a winning
