Thanks BN, although I regret that "passion" is a bit strong. It's guilt really. Owning the original prototype, and currently being in no position to afford to restore it, means I feel duty bound to do "my bit" in any way I can.
Speaking of which, the splendid boat called Sayonara that we had listed as "For Sale" has now found a new home, and for a very realistic asking price. There has also been another fully-restored Simmonds on eBay these past couple of weeks, and that too has now been sold, although not through eBay as far as I know:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190330180766&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1515wt_1086That has also gone for a good price. Over the last couple of years the value of Simmonds boats has, at last, started to rise a little, in reflection perhaps of a better understanding of their place in the history of sports boats and the quality of their design and construction.
I know, I'm preaching to the converted here, but it does sadden me when I see boats of this ilk changing hands for peanuts. Not that I begrudge people the occasional bargain, but the flipside of the coin is that other boats that warrant care and restoration are then overlooked because people feel they can't justify the investment. Why spend thousands on a boat that's still only going to be worth a few hundred when you've finished it?
The two boats mentioned above both changed hands for several thousand pounds apiece. I can't say exactly how much, but enough for someone else to think of picking up a restoration project and spending a few grand on it knowing there's a chance, one day, of getting their money back.
I'm also a classic car enthusiast (as I know are several other Simmonds owners!) and I've heard several horror stories these past few weeks of perfectly serviceable (and, in one case, almost concours) examples of classic cars being sent off to be crushed under the Government's "Scrappage Scheme". Thankfully, there's no such plan for boats.