1924 JW Brooke 20' Gentlemans Launch

'Believe me my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats'  says 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 Navies 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.

Dating from 1924, this elegant, Art Deco-style, Cam-tailed, 20' Gentleman's River Launch features a Royal Blue hull with a glorious banded Mahogany and Maple deck and is powered by an 1,100cc, four-cylinder, Morris Vedette side-valve marine engine transmitted through an epicyclic manual gearbox.

Christened 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 managed to scoop the silverware at Dartmouth Royal Regatta in 2022. This exquisite little launch would be equally at home in Henley or Marlow or any stylish riverside town. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy the elegance and grace of a slower time and, maybe, live a little longer.