Historic Doris Returns To The Norfolk Broads Waters Once Again.

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Work has recently been completed restoring the hull on a boat once known as the most luxurious on the Norfolk Broads.

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The Doris, built at the Brookes Boatyard in Lowestoft, Suffolk in 1930, is reputed to have been a hideaway for Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson.

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During its 93-year life span, the 65ft motor cruiser has both sunk and caught fire - but now the current owner has returned the vessel to the waters of the Norfolk Broads once again.

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The Doris was built for Mr Montague Evans in 1930 and was launched in 1931.

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Later owners are rumoured to have included Charlie Chaplin and George Formby.
The most recent restoration was carried out on a boatyard at Wayford Bridge on the River Ant.

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The twenty-ton vessel required the hiring of an enormous crane and a special cradle was built to lift the vessel and store its twenty-ton weight whilst work was carried out.

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The restoration was carried out solely by its current owner, who has been responsible for replacing in excess of 60 planks over a four-year period.
Additional restoration included brand-new propellers, prop shafts and rudders.

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Historic Motor Cruiser "Doris" Restored and Re-Launched on the Norfolk Broads.

Today marks a remarkable event for maritime enthusiasts as the historic motor cruiser "Doris" is set to make a triumphant return to the water. This iconic boat, originally built in 1930 at the Brooks Boatyard in Lowestoft, Suffolk, has undergone an extensive restoration over several years.

The hull of Doris, a testament to early 20th-century boat craftsmanship, has been meticulously restored on the River Ant in the Northern Broads. The re-launch involves a massive crane tasked with lifting the vessel and placing it back into its aquatic home.

Doris has a fascinating history. Built for Mr Montague Evans, she was launched in 1931 and has since become reputed for her association with notable figures such as Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson. Over her 93-year lifespan, this 65-foot motor cruiser has experienced both sinking and fire but has always managed to survive and thrive.

Rumours also suggest that Doris may have hosted famous personalities like Charlie Chaplin and George Formby, adding to her storied past. The current owner has dedicated themselves to her restoration, undertaking a laborious process at a boatyard in Wayford Bridge on the River Ant.

This comprehensive restoration required the use of a colossal crane and a specially constructed cradle to support Doris's 20-ton weight. Over the past four years, the owner has painstakingly replaced over 60 planks and installed new propellers, prop shafts, and rudders.

Now, after years of meticulous work, Doris is ready to grace the waters of the Norfolk Broads once more, continuing her legacy as a symbol of enduring maritime heritage.