1948 23' Bemister?

by Cordell
(Wirral, UK)

Actually, I am not sure what this is so am posting on here to see if anyone recognizes the hull shape/configuration and can tell me any more about the boat.

I bought it a few years back and it was at the time advertised as a 1948 23' Bemister Sloop.

I would ignore the CMS, I have some sections of what I believe are the original sails - brown canvas/cotton (lots of holes).

It was located in Poole, UK when I got it & other than a few internet pages (long ago lost with vague info on them) I can't seem to find any info about Bemisters...

It has a Brit 2 cyl petrol 12 HP which also seems quite rare, few people have heard of them...and parts seem non-existent so I'll be replacing with Diesel, but any info would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance...

Comments for 1948 23' Bemister?

Click here to add your own comments

Mar 20, 2021
 Mudeford pictures keep the old days alive facebook
by: Everett Jones

Hi being a bit of a history ferret and about to get ID help from The Red House Museum Christchurch for a photograph I have copied from a very old Derham photo album which I believe could be Bemister's boat yard at Avon wharf XCH.

I came across this page so thought i would add my sixpence worth.

Would be interested to hear from anyone who has pictures etc of Bemister's and also if I can be of any help with any of the research.

Would be happy to try and help as I live local to Christchurch.

My email is [everettabc@gmail.com],
regards,Everett Jones.
May 18, 2020
 Sarah
by: Paul

Hi Guys

I am the current owner of 'Sarah'.
She is currently lying in our garden and is being stripped back to basic with the view of restoring her to her former glory.

I have been trying to track down how she may have looked in the past, so any info/ images of her would be greatly appreciated.

I do know of Mr Bemister being one of her former owners.

Cheers
Paul
Sep 11, 2017
 Bemister
by: Anonymous

Bemister are an old sailing family for at least a century with a fine house on the space between the Avon and Stour.

The old Mr Bemister used to own a ketch called Sarah which was sold on to the late Roger Slater of Bournemouth, a Metal Box entrepreneur and general Mr Fix things business wise.

He used it mainly at anchor but I do have a rare photo somewhere.

There will be knowledge of Bemister at Purbrook Rossiters or any of the old names in the harbour, Stride or Derham maybe.

email me at editor@msbnews.co.uk and I will start looking if you need a photo side on to Sarah under sail at a distance from recent memory..

And another on its side outside the sailing club...(deep keel for the harbour)

Been dealing with loads of pics, my mother died last month and my late also dad pal of Roger in 2013 or 4, hence pictures coming to light.

It will be a "hard copy" to find but I can scan it to your email.

Just be patient..been looking for other stuff and found you.
May 09, 2014
 Contact
by: Cordell

Yes, Christchurch is what I remember finding on a variety of webpages....as far as a contact to send photos - please use cordell@clhensley.com.

Progressing along, slowly...keel secured back to stem & garboard plank getting screwed back on - almost ready to begin repairing cracked frames...
Jul 05, 2013
 Bemister
by: Anonymous

My late dad had a 24 foot GRP Snapdragon at, an improvement on his lovely wooden slipping through the water Admiralty pattern 10 foot 6 sailing dinghy from local Strides boatyard in the 50's who bought it back 30 years later.

And my dad’s pal, the late dynamic Roger Slater who bought SARAH a ketch from local boat builder and celebrity of some sort, Mr Bemister, known or described as "Old Bemister;'s old boat."

We ate cream cakes on board I remember at the mooring. ...there was room for the owner and a butler.

I have some external and internal photos somewhere I can send you jpgs,

Bemister, an old man in the 80's, lived on the space between the Avon and the Stour in a posh house with a drive and an anchor or other symbol of his reputed status.

Roger was an ex Metal Box exec who was an entrepreneur and carried it off very well.

I, inspired by this, bought a sunk West Wight
Potter.

But we sold the Mudeford Sandbank beach hut and I now live upriver on an island of sorts looking at the Avon from a British Empire colonial style bungalow, enemies might call a mobile home.

And now this place is licked into shape I seek some sort of nautical return.

When I was in the hut I wrote about the harbour and you can read articles about the harbour, the Strides and the beach at msbnews.co.uk.

Let me know where to send the Sarah pics?

My dad made wooden models of it too with its distinctive shape honed by seafarer's over centuries.

It was a classic but the engine was tricky and I have seen photos of it on its side right outside the Christchurch sailing Club, which my father’s good standing was the insurance they needed.

Another pal was Arthur Whitby and Bill Urry, who had a fearsome reputation for having yachts and wives aplenty.

Out heritage is irreplaceable and I am happy to help in this sort of way.

Tim Baber,(1956- ) father Jim Baber 1918-2013.
Jun 12, 2013
 Built in Christchurch?
by: Mike

She may have been built in Christchurch by boat builder Herbert Bemister.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Your Wooden Boat Projects...

Want to add more photos?

Photo Uploader

If you are having problems uploading Photos or would like to add more click on this link for the Upload Form.

Show / Hide