Name Heidi of Bembridge

HEIDI OF BEMBRIDGE was built in 1968 by Ernest Wade at Bembridge Boatyard, Isle of Wight, to a custom design by John Askham. She is built in teak and mahogany on American rock elm frames, and was originally fitted with twin Bedford 466 145 HP diesel engines with a reduction of 2.04 to 1 in the V-drives.

She was originally built for J F H Jay and based out of Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex, from where she sailed across the Channel ports, traveling as far as the Mediterranean and back through the French canal system. In 1992, she was sold by J F H Jay’s widow to regular crewmember E Bartholomew, who based HEIDI at Chiswick Quay, River Thames.

In 1996, she was purchased by J and A Bass, who cruised her throughout the English Channel, the French coast and the Western Mediterranean. In 2005, her engines were replaced with twin Vetus DT66-E Deutz six cylinder diesel engines, which are still fitted. In 2011, she was purchased by her previous owner who was based at Castletown, Isle of Man. From there, she cruised throughout Northern Europe. 

In 2021, a new synthetic teak deck was laid during an extensive refit at Whitehaven, Cumbria. She was purchased by her current owner between 2024 and 2025, and in May 2025 she was surveyed and assessed to be in overall excellent condition, close to that of a new build. She is currently based in Conwy, Wales.