A Snippet From Yachting & Boating World Article on the Southampton Boats Show 2017
This year’s Southampton Boat Show will not only feature superyachts, yachts and motor boats, but hand built bespoke pedal boats, especially designed for two people.
Dad’s Boats, based in Norfolk, is exhibiting its Pedal Boat at the show, which runs from Friday until 24 September.
Their unique design allows two people to face each other and pedal forwards in comfort.
The boat’s gearbox makes it efficient, easy to use and environmentally friendly, allowing passengers to sit back, sip a drink, chat and take some gentle exercise while enjoying the water.
Dad's Boats will be exhibiting at the London Boat Show
The Pedal Boat
The design is based on the first Pedal Boat built by David Williams, who is the Dad in the family-run Dad’s Boats.
He built his first craft in the 1950s – originally it was a single seater designed as a way of following his remote controlled yacht while keeping his hands free for the controls.
The drive mechanism was an old hand drill! ‘The Sieve’, as it was affectionately called, was moth balled in the garden not long after when David had to complete his National Service.
By the time David got back two years later, ‘The Sieve’ had deteriorated so much all he could do was cut it up for firewood.
So, the next generation of Pedal Boat started to form in his mind – this time a more sociable two-seater.
This boat accompanied David on his honeymoon around the Norfolk Broads in the 1960s and has also been pedalled around the Isle of Wight (don’t try this at home).
Designed with the Norfolk Broads in mind, The Pedal Boat would also be perfect for The Thames, The Scottish Lochs, and The English Lakes.
Having developed and tested a commercial model of the original, Dad’s Boats are now manufacturing and selling The Pedal Boat which will be exhibited at the show as well as their hand crafted ornamental wooden propellers.
David William’s son-in-law, Stephen Pitkethly of Dad’s Boats, said: “This will be our fourth visit as an exhibitor to The Southampton Boat Show and every time we go visitors are blown away by the quality and ingenuity of both The Pedal Boat and our handmade wooden propellers.”
“We are looking forward to another great show as word continues to spread about just how much fun our boats are,” he added.
Read more at www.ybw.com/southampton-boat-show.
