John Paterson, Greenock DAIMLER/ PAUL JONES 26 FT MOTOR LAUNCH C.1895/2012 SKYE

DAIMLER/ PAUL JONES 26 FT MOTOR LAUNCH C.1895/2012

It may be hard to understand just how revolutionary SKYE’s original Daimler petroleum internal combustion power plant was when she was new. It’s a remarkable fact that when this beautiful launch was first commissioned - we educatedly guess, in 1895 - there may have been as few as 14 or 15 internal combustion engine powered motor cars on Britain’s roads. Beautifully built by one of the Firth of Clyde’s finest small craft builders, she spent her first 115 years with the same family on the Isle of Skye, about 65 of them laid up in a nicely salty boathouse. SKYE was the find of a lifetime for meticulous and experienced boat restorer Chris Cracknell. Her next owner - only her third - takes on not only a remarkable piece of maritime history, but also a beautiful example of careful restoration.