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Old 01-06-2006, 01:11 PM   #1
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Boat name: THUNDERBOLT 1961 COWES TORQUAY WINNER
Boat make: CHRISTINA 25
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Smile Thunderbolt

Hi my name is Mike James and in February this year I aquired Thunderbolt ,Tommy Sopwiths 1961 Cowes Torquay winning boat , from Don Shead who had owned her for the past 20 years
She is 80% complete but does not have her twin V8 Crusaders any more and due to her chequered life in the South of France where Don found her in a poor condition in a boatyard she needs a fair bit of hull work . She is currently being stripped down then the hull will go off for repairs to be carried out .I hope over the next 2 years to get her back to original spec but will probably fit two diesels . If anyone out there can assist with spares for Bloctube controls which is proving to be the most awkward parts to get hold of let me know ... I will keep everyone up to date on how we progress... also if anyone comes across any other ex Cowes Torquay racers PLEASE LET ME KNOW or if they are Fairey's or Christina's let the Fairey Owners club know ..
many thanks ..Brilliant site long over due!
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Old 01-06-2006, 01:17 PM   #2
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I have some black & white footage of your boat running in those early Cowes events. as with some of the other CTC stuff I've posted, the video quality is awfull, but interesting all the same.

I'll see if I can put a few bits together, and upload them here.

JF
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Old 01-06-2006, 02:05 PM   #3
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Country: England
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Boat name: THUNDERBOLT 1961 COWES TORQUAY WINNER
Boat make: CHRISTINA 25
Engines: 2 5 litre Chevrolets total 440 hp
Cruising area: Solent

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Thanks Jon
any footage will be great I have some on the Big Water Rough ride video but it is only a few secs Don Shead promised me some but nothing materialised as yet
Mike
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Old 09-06-2006, 08:28 PM   #4
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For Mike.
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Old 09-06-2006, 10:46 PM   #5
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This got me thinking about another boat we used to have. can anyone tell me what it is? i always thought it was an Omega huntsman but then i was 11 when we sold her.
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Old 10-06-2006, 09:01 AM   #6
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99% sure its an omega,very simular to the fairey spearfish
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Old 10-06-2006, 09:29 AM   #7
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Thanks Carly baby, here are a couple more to make sure.
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Old 10-06-2006, 09:29 AM   #8
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Old 10-06-2006, 09:30 AM   #9
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Old 10-06-2006, 09:53 AM   #10
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those pics bring back memories ,when i was a kid we had a huntsman 31 aft cockpit for a couple of seasons,your omega and huntman are also very simular
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Old 10-06-2006, 11:06 AM   #11
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engine change

The new owner of Miss Bovril a Triana is also looking for new engines -maybe you two should team up! see YBW mobo forum!!
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Old 12-06-2006, 09:10 AM   #12
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Interests: Le Mans Power Boats GOODWOOD Revival
Boat name: THUNDERBOLT 1961 COWES TORQUAY WINNER
Boat make: CHRISTINA 25
Engines: 2 5 litre Chevrolets total 440 hp
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omega

Omega was designed by Sonny Levi.

mike
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Old 12-06-2006, 10:22 AM   #13
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Thunderbolt, I am Don's nephew, many a dreamy day I spent sat in Thunderbolt, 20 or so years ago, trying to scheme how I could possibly afford to put her back on the water. Very interested in your project, I guess that I am down the road from you as I live in Ringwood. Send me a message if you would like to meet up at some stage.
I did buy one old boat; The sister boat to Trident, built by Clarkes in Cowes in about 1966, cold moulded plywood, two straight six volvos with the tiny race drives. Sold her to Dave Sewell of Powerboat mag about six years ago, don't think that he's managed to put her back on the water yet. There's also another sisterboat at Elkins' Yard in Christchurch being restored at the moment.
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Old 12-06-2006, 01:40 PM   #14
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Interests: Le Mans Power Boats GOODWOOD Revival
Boat name: THUNDERBOLT 1961 COWES TORQUAY WINNER
Boat make: CHRISTINA 25
Engines: 2 5 litre Chevrolets total 440 hp
Cruising area: Solent

Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New Forest
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Thunderbolt rebuild

Hi
Thunderbolt needs a lot of tlc but once woodwork sorted I would be more than glad of a hand with ...Electrics, engine installation ,pipework ,etc etc please keep in touch , the closest I ever got to T was in Brixham harbour to take a piccy but now I have her I can't believe it at times even tho' the rebuild will put years on me. it wasn't you who pinched the lettering of the cockpit sides was it? i'm missing the C's from the Christina badging and another thing did you nick the steering wheel boss!
Joking aside I will be away till end of June send tele no I will call.
Off to Le Mans for 24hr race on Wens and can't wait to see some decent racing since F1 is down the pan. Also it's about time we had some decent offshore races someone please revive the C-T-C.
PS the sister boat to Trident was Jupiter was owned by John Robertson I think.
MIKE
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Old 12-06-2006, 01:53 PM   #15
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Re: Thunderbolt rebuild

Quote:
Originally posted by THUNDERBOLT
Hi

Off to Le Mans for 24hr race on Wens and can't wait to see some decent racing since F1 is down the pan. Also it's about time we had some decent offshore races someone please revive the C-T-C.
PS the sister boat to Trident was Jupiter was owned by John Robertson I think.
MIKE
Yes please revive this fantastic race.
Are there plans to open this race again does anyone know?
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