Surfury

[Martin The Talker]

Originally Posted by Jon Fuller

Not surprising if they tried to race it without the aid of a ferry.

Sorry - car should be "cat", as in catamaran !
I know I'm a useless typist !

[Iain May]

Found this in RAF wroughton during the summer.

[Delta28]

Good to see her somewhere safe (..and dry!)

Curious about RAF Wroughton, I found this on Multimap:

RAF Wroughton (Science Museum Swindon)
RAF Wroughton, just south of the village, closed in the 1990s and is now the Science Museum Swindon, a part of the National Museum of Science and Industry and used as a storage site occasionally open to the public.

Thanks for passing-on the location and for the pictures Iain..

[Alacrity]

One of the CMBA members who lives near Wroughton went to see them a couple of years ago about the Basildon collection & whilst interested, they were not able to help with much as they are only really interested in 'one off's' or the 'first of's' but it is good to know that Surfury (which fits the bill on both counts) is there as she is, if nothing else, safe & dry.

Originally Posted by tiggy_cat

As well as the physical exhibits , it would be interesting to know what Basildon intends doing with the large amount of archive materials that I believe they held. Be a shame for that to end up in a skip somewhere.

The library is safe, if a little split up at the moment. Nothing has been lost or got rid of, in theory at least. It is I believe, all destined for the bunker in Salcombe see THIS THREAD

[the edge]

I wonder what else from the museum is stored at Wroughton ? did I see a picture on here of Unipart John Yeomans Cougar cat at Basildon ?

[tiggy_cat]

Think this is what you are referring to. This was there just before the museum closed I believe

In the view from the rear left, you can see the nose of another nice offshore style boat, Apache if memeory serves correctly

[littlenige]

Ian states that as a gift to the nation that Surfury is owned and controlled entirely by the National Maritime Museum. Shame that. If you view their site and search on the word 'Surfury' the result is:-




"We're sorry, there are no objects in our database that match your search."

[KINCADE47]

Originally Posted by chris grayer

I have been able to re-instate the website dedicated to "Surfury" www.surfury.co.uk that fell over when I moved to the USA earlier this year - the site needs updating and I invite all with any news of what has happened to her since the demise of Basildon. Also any old photos lurking in collections would be welcome.

Any photos of other Levi designs or Souter built craft would be specifically welcome

Surfury must not be allowed to die - she is arguably the most important offshore craft that has not had its future secured.

I also want to include links to any other restoration projects that are being undertaken.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Chris

Hi Chris,
I wanted to donate some money towards Surfury renovation and very disapointed after all this time to find that a fund is not in place, i feel that if money isn't raised for Surfury she will be sold to America who are interested in showing her along side American power boat legend Ghost Rider who has been renovated, i understand Surfury's time is running out at Birseldon and they have other priority boats to restore before Surfury , maybe Surfury will be sold to help fund this which would be very sad. I feel time is running out and a renovation fund for Surfury should be set up and with money raised may help her stay in the UK something the Gardner Bothers would be happy about im sure, after all they left her to us all the people.

[KINCADE47]

Originally Posted by chris grayer

I have been able to re-instate the website dedicated to "Surfury" www.surfury.co.uk that fell over when I moved to the USA earlier this year - the site needs updating and I invite all with any news of what has happened to her since the demise of Basildon. Also any old photos lurking in collections would be welcome.

Any photos of other Levi designs or Souter built craft would be specifically welcome

Surfury must not be allowed to die - she is arguably the most important offshore craft that has not had its future secured.

I also want to include links to any other restoration projects that are being undertaken.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Chris

Hi Chris,
I wanted to donate some money towards Surfury renovation and very disapointed after all this time to find that a fund is not in place, i feel that if money isn't raised for Surfury she will be sold to America who are interested in showing her along side American power boat legend Ghost Rider who has been renovated, i understand Surfury's time is running out at Birseldon and they have other priority boats to restore before Surfury , maybe Surfury will be sold to help fund this which would be very sad. I feel time is running out and a renovation fund for Surfury should be set up and with money raised may help her stay in the UK something the Gardner Bothers would be happy about im sure, after all they left her to us all the people.
Regards
Dan
KINCADE47

[KINCADE47]

Originally Posted by littlenige

Ian states that as a gift to the nation that Surfury is owned and controlled entirely by the National Maritime Museum. Shame that. If you view their site and search on the word 'Surfury' the result is:-




"We're sorry, there are no objects in our database that match your search."

I gree with you Surfury should be owned by the people and the National Boat Museum should be looking after her for everyone, i feel that even with all the support for Surfury here in the UK she could be sold to America who may have funds in place, if the National Maritime Museum need money to restore other boats then selling of Surfury may go towards this, i would like to know if they intend to renovate Surfury at anytime or do they feel it will never happen due to costs, if the latter is the case then they need more help and a renovation fund for Surfury should be set up by them or friends of Surfury.
regards
Dan
KINCADE47

[stormin177]

Essex Council should of never closed the museum down where she was on display

[THUNDERBOLT]

After the closure of the Museum UNIPART was left outside with no one interested but after a concerted campaigne by Roy Cooper of FASTONWATER
she has now hopefully found a home and will be restored.

as regards the other lost soul SURFURY there is very little anyone can do as she was "Gifted to the Nation " and as such cannot be returned to private hands..not even the Gardner Family...The NMM CAN DO WITH HER WHAT THEY WISH......she could have gone to the NMM Museum in Fowey BUT THAT WOULD HAVE MEAN'T SAWING HER IN HALF to gain entry through the doors.

The only chance of getting her back in to the public domain is for a Charitable trust to be formed and a request made for her to be loaned for display but there is no where suitable! at the moment not even the East Cowes Museum....so the future is still very bleak for her unless someone knows of a means that we do not!

Mike
COPC

[Carl]

where is surfury now

[THUNDERBOLT]

She is currently in rented storage facilities at the old RAF WROUGHTON NEAR SWINDON if you wish to visit her an appointment has to be made.

[JonFurley]

Have made enquiries to Greenwich, National Maritime. To make an appointment and am still waiting..... In the meantime I am restoring My Sonny Levi Delta Hydrosonic

[DYNAPLANE-PACESETTER]

Was always in the control of the parks manager who was simply an overpowered Basildon council employee and instrumental in the closing of the museum....to him it was just an expensive overhead that didn't figure in the parks running costs

[COLIN C BUSHELL]

It is with great sadness I have to report that Ivor Verlander who rode mechanic/shotgun on the legendary SURFURY with the Gardner brothers has passed away aged 80 . RIP Ivor.

[chris grayer]

[QUOTE=JonFurley;251696]Have made enquiries to Greenwich, National Maritime. To make an appointment and am still waiting..... In the meantime I am restoring My Sonny Levi Delta Hydrosonic[/QUOTE

Your Delta looks fantastic John, so good to see - a worthy tribute to the great legacy of the Levi Deltas and those that raced them