Details
Construction
Dimensions
History
SEA DAWN is a motor yacht built by Ramparts of Southampton in 1960 for Lieutenant Colonel D Bellamy. She is carvel built with a mahogany hull on oak frames and a teak deck, and she is fitted with her original twin Perkins P6 engines. Before her launch, she would have been known as SEA SAMBA.
In the 1980s, she was moored at the Caversham Bowles Club in Reading, Berkshire. In the 1990s, SEA DAWN was purchased by B Clements and moored near Tilehurst, up the river from Reading. In 2011, she was purchased by P Kendal and based between Ramsgate and Dover.
In 2015, under new owner R Mahony, SEA DAWN was cruised through the French Canal system to the Mediterranean, where she remained until 2019. At that point, she was purchased by A Arthur, who brought her back to Reading were she sat in need of hull repairs.
In 2022, she was repurchased by R Mahony who, along with his son, began a restoration project, with 50ft of mahogany planks replaced. In 2025, she won the Freebody Award for Best Amateur Restoration at the Henley Thames Traditional Boat Show for the work done. She is currently based in Caversham, Reading, and retains her original layout.
Key dates
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1960
Built by Ramparts of Southampton
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1980s
Moored at Caversham Bowles Club
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1990s
Purchased by B Clements and moored near Tilehurst
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2011
Purchased by P Kendal and based between Ramsgate and Dover
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2015
Then owner R Mahony, who had purchased her at some point since 2011, cruised SEA DAWN through the French canals to the Mediterranean
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2019
Purchased by A Arthur, who cruised her back to Reading
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2022
Repurchased by R Mahony and his son, L Mahony-Page, who began a restoration project
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2025
Awarded the 2025 Freebody Award at the Henley Thames Traditional Boat Show for Best Amateur Restoration
Own this vessel?
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
