c. 1961 Albatross A-Series Sports Runabout

• Restored between 2016 and 2020
• Rebuilt Ford 1600 Cross-flow engine
• Not run recently
• Very good restored condition

Albatross Marine Ltd was founded in 1949 by Archie Peace, an aircraft engineer formerly with the Bristol Aeroplane Company, at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk where he was soon joined by business partners Peter Hives and Bruce Campbell. All three men shared a common background in aircraft engineering and set about applying their skills to the manufacture of marine craft, making use of the plentiful supplies of aluminium alloy left over from the war effort. To get the ball rolling, three racing hydroplanes were constructed to publicise the fledgling firm and help generate the investment required.
By the start of 1951 the company was ready to introduce the prototype of its first product, the Albatross Sports Runabout, which was unveiled to the boating press at Ruislip Lido in Middlesex, home of the Ruislip Water Ski Club, in March of that year. A three-seater craft of 12' 9" in length, the first Albatross was powered by a marinised version of Ford's 100E 1,172cc four-cylinder sidevalve engine and had a maximum speed of 34mph, making it ideal for water skiing.
The 'A' Series was conceived in 1959 and used a different method of forming the hull, resulting in a better shape. The 'A' was 13' (4 metres) long with a beam of 4' 10" (1.5 metres) and 1' 6" (0.5 metres) draught. The first prototype was on the water by January 1960 and was soon being raced locally.
The current vendor purchased this A-Series Albatross in October 2016 as a restoration project (the previous owner had rescued the craft from a ditch). A suitable Ford 1600 Cross-flow engine was obtained and treated to a 'last nut and bolt' rebuild, including fitting an anti-foaming plate. The rotten hull bottom was cut out and a new piece fitted, together with an internal strengthening plate and subframe. New parts fabricated included the rudder, anti-cavitation plate, bonnet, seat base and cockpit floor. The arrival of Covid then put the project on hold, and it was not until September 2020 that the completed Albatross was back in the water. Not run recently, this elegant craft is described by the private vendor as in 'restored, very good' condition in every respect and is offered with numerous photographs documenting the renovation.