Page 81 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

Changing this to a permanent modern wheelhouse was the main improvement built by
the Keightley family just before the boat was sold.

The wheelhouse had side door access onto the side decks port and starboard. Gas bottles
were stored in lockers here.
There was sufficient room inside to mount the folding table and have folding chairs too.
Visiting friends slept on the floor here on soft foam.
The steering position was as usual on the port side, (left to landlubbers).

Here were the normal type of engine instruments and controls. The engine was below the
wheelhouse floor. The wheelhouse although 'demountable' was glazed all around, with a
canvas roof like a soft top sport scar. It was quite watertight and even coped with some
short very choppy seas that we encountered from time to time and completely engulfed the
wheelhouse.

The engine was not ideal as it was petrol powered. It did give us some problems from time
to time as the cylinder bores were well worn. It was a Volvo Penta 1600 cc the same
engine as in the Volvo Amazon cars. Parts were readily available and we managed to
keep it going reliably until the new owners fitted a diesel power unit.

Three steps down from the wheelhouse brought you into the fully self contained stern
cabin. Here there was a double bunk, good cupboard fittings and a separate bathroom
with sink and sea toilet, the whole space being somewhat larger than the one in the bow.

Back to the inspection, as the external hull was as good as the inside with no faults
whatever, we decided this was the boat for us.

Vesta duly arrived back at New Bolingbroke on one of the articulated lorries belonging to
neighbour Herbert Epton, she was “parked “ just outside our back door so access for
painting and small alterations was ideal.
“Peregrine” our gaff rigged sailing cutter found a new home with one of our friends and
“Vesta” was found a new permanent mooring at the Boston Motor Yacht Club.

She became our new
recreational activity and gave
us many years of happy
holidays and exciting
excursions!
Eventually, as ECYB became
more demanding we took Vesta
back to Keightley’s boatyard for
a refit and while there we
received a good offer for her
from a family in Boston who
really wanted to buy her.

So she moved on and horses
really began to dominate our
leisure time.
This left us with just the one

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