After!
Before the work started!


Started working on the bottom. First thing to do was to get all that nasty filler out! The previous owner (or maybe the one before that!) didnt do a very god job applying filler to the bottom. Fist thing I did was to take as much out as I could using a filler spatula, I then resorted to using my electric drill. Lastly I sanded the area down using wet and dry sand paper. So now I have all the filler removed, next I need to "bang" and dents in, replace any bad rivets, weld any areas that need welding and re apply filler.

Ford 100E engine

The engine used in the Albatross is derived from the Ford 100E 4 cylinder 1172cc sidevalve engine, its basically a marinised version of the car version without the gearbox. It is in excellent condition as it had just been renovated just before I bought it and many parts were replaced and/or refurbished. The only modifications it has are that it has been converted to use sea water for cooling and not cool from its fresh water tank as origionally made. An alternator has also been added (I beleive that they origionally came out with a dynamo) and the carb has been changed from an SU to a Stromberg Zenith one. A cutom made exhaust has also been added for aded efficancy and performacnce.

Shes finally here!! 17th Feb 09

Finally the day has come and I have finally gotten my baby. Here are a few pictures of her when I got her, she is going to be my project for the winter. The boat was mostly taken apart by her previous owner as he was going to restore her himself but couldn't find the time to do so. My boat is a MKIII Sports Runabout I believe and is serial number 350. All the fittings seem to be there however some parts were changed with more modern ones such as the steering wheel, dash instrumentation and etc. The body seems to be in pretty good nick , that being said it does need some attention on the bottom. But its nothing a lot of patience and elbow grease cant fix!

Albatross speedboat serial numbers

Model Serial numbers
Prototypes am+Drawing No
Sports/super sports 002 to 240
Sport runabout MKIII 241 to 847
A series sports A1 to A115
Continental MKI 1000 to 1199
Continental MKII 1200 to 1999
Slipper Stern 2000 to 2023 (?)
Cruiser unknown
Climax 145 produced

Source:- Albatross Register

History of Albatross marine

Albatross marine

In 1949, Archie Peace, who had been trained by the Bristol Aeroplane Company as an aircraft engineer, formed Albatross Marine Ltd, located in St. Olaves Gt. Yarmouth, England.

Within a couple of months he was joined by Peter Hives (son of Lord Hives the then head of Rolls-Royce Ltd) and Bruce Campbell, a former test pilot for the de Havilland aircraft company.

As former aircraft engineers they were set on applying the techniques of aircraft construction, to boat building thus enabling them to make use of the surplus of aluminium alloy that was available around that time.

To enable the company to get underway they built three, racing hydroplanes (Rooster, Baracuda & Symphony) which generated the much needed finances.

In March 1951 Albatross Marine made available to the boating press at the Ruislip water-ski club, their prototype model the Albatross Mk1, a 12ft 9inch three-seat craft powered by a marinised Ford Prefect engine of 1172cc, called the Albatross Sports Runabout.

On reaching speeds of 30.5mph it soon became apparent to the boating press that the Albatross was destined to become the popular choice of workhorse for British Waterskiing, gaining Albatross Marine one of their first firm orders from the Ruislip water-ski club, leading many clubs to follow suit.

With firm orders in place Albatross Marine began its first production run of boats, instantly making minor changes from the prototype and marketing the craft as the Albatross Sports Runabout (Mk11) running from serial No 01 through to serial No 240.

Albatross Marine offered a super-sports version of the (Mk11) this boat being identical to the sports model with the exception that the 1172cc engine was to be equipped with twin Su carburettors, and incorporating an engine oil cooling system, achieved by passing raw water through a copper coil in the sump.

In May 1956 Albatross Marine released the (Mk111) which was the same hull design as the (Mk11) but incorporated miner changes to its external appearance, the later model was fitted with the latest type Ford 100E engine also of 1172cc but with more horsepower. These boats ran from serial No 241 through to No 1000.

In March 1960, Albatross Marine released its newest model, a complete re-design of its successful (Mk111) marketing the new craft as the A model thus dropping the Mk system previously employed.

The A model had much cleaner lines, and with its larger dimensions (now 13ft 1 ½ inches) was fitted with a marinised version of Fords 122E engine of 1500cc, thus giving much better performance than the 100E version.

These boats ran from serial No A 01 through to No 150, with a handful of boats being fitted with the Coventry Climax engine of 1220cc as an optional extra.

With a reputation for high build quality, Albatross Marine Ltd gained many V.I.P. clients to include such manes as, Stirling Moss, Bridget Bardot, George Formby, Prince Rainier Of Monaco ( owner of six craft), Prince Philip and John Pertwee but to list a few.







Sources:- http://albatrossregister.com