St Clare is shown at the Waterside in Mountsorrel.
It was the first boat acquired by Baldwin Trust in 1987.
It was paid for with monies obtained from many fund-raising
events which was added to the original
donationthat established the Trust in 1981. It was built by
trainees on Merseyside to a specification agreed by the original
trustees. In particular it is equipped with a hy
draulic lift at
the rear of the boat to enable wheelchair and disabled access. It
has a fully equipped galley for the use of passengers when making and
serving drinks and meals.
The St. Clare is 70ft long and of standard 7ft.beam.
It was originally powered by a Perkins Diesel engine (designated 4108) with 'teleflex' control to
the engine and gearbox. After significant problems during 2007 it
was decided to replace the engine and a new Beta Marine 50hp engine has
been fitted by volunteers ready for the 2008 season. Reliability
has been greatly improved. For other changes made see the news
section above.
The Boat also has a 'bow thruster' device to give
easier handling of the boat's 26 tons. There is hot and cold running water
in the galley and in both of the wash basins in the two toilets. The galley is fully
equipped, including an oven with grill, 4 'rings' and a large
refrigerator. The crew are accommodated in the 2 berths forward of the
galley area, which are normally in seating form. The St. Clare carries up
to 12 seated passengers in the forward section of the boat. These seats
can be arranged to be 6 sleeping berths, each having an upper and a lower
locker and individual bed light. There is gangway lighting throughout the
boat and a radio/cassette deck has stereo loudspeakers to the crew and
passenger areas. At the front of the boat is a small area, behind the
prow, where 5/6 passengers may sit out. The boat is centrally heated from
a diesel boiler; the insulation around the boat ensures that the
passengers will not feel cold as they watch the passing scenery through
large picture windows.
St Clare is moored and operated from Raynsway Marina at Thurmaston, Leicester.
The layout of the boat is as shown:
End
