Wild Thyme - Hampton's Mk IV Safari
This collection of photographs has been provided by a broker and show
the boat, originally named Grande Safari, on two occasions when
she was being sold, once in 2018 and again in 2023. Together they give
a good indication of how the MkIV was fitted out by Hampton Boats Ltd
for their hire fleet.
External
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Apart from the change of name since the boat was in the Hampton hire
fleet, there are a few things subsequent owners have added. These
include, on the fordeck, the hand rail rising from the mudweight chock,
mudweight winch and, on the cabin roof, the flagstaff. The flagstaff is
missing in more recent photos, replaced with a large solar panel.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
At the stern, the aft rails, ladder and corner fenders were not
original equipment.
The Cockpit
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
One of the owners has had curtains made to fit around the cockpit
that add further protection from the elements than the extended cabin
sides and roof do by themselves. The small chest mounted against the
transom not only provides some useful storage space but will also make
access onto the boat much easier for those whose knees are showing
signs of age!
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
The engine and hydraulic drive are mounted in the larger sound
proofed port locker. Unlike many broads cruisers with an engine at the
stern, it in not mounted transversely.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
The slightly smaller starboard locker contains the gas bottles and
batteries. As might be expected, by the time this photo was taken, the
cabin top had a solar panel fitted and a charge controller is found in
the locker.
Main Cabin
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
From the cockpit you step through the cabin door. To starboard is
the galley while, to port, is the dinette, ahead of which is the raised
helmsman's seat.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Forward of the sink and draining board is low level storage with a
small cooker having a grill and oven with two burners above.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Further forward are more cupboards and space for a refrigerator
with an expanse of worktop above.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
There is storage provided under the benches of the dinette which is
of similar design to that seen on the three berth versions of the
earlier marks. The table clips to the cabin wall and is supported by a
single folding leg, while for sleeping, the table top drops down and is
supported on runners fitted to the two bench seats. Once the table is
lowered the cushions can be rearranged to form a mattress.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Unlike the earlier boats, where the dinette is opposite lockers and
cupboards that run under the gunwales, here it is opposite the galley.
As a result there is much less space available for the dinette and the
table is significantly smaller than those on the earlier three berth
boats. So although at first glance you might have expected this to be a
four berth boat, it was only rented as having two to three berths.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Forward of the dinette is a raised helmsman's seat. While all the
notices around the helm date from its days as a hire craft, a few of
the switches are later, for example, the two sets of switches on the
vertical panel to the right of the wheel, one operates the mud weight
winch and the other is a recent type of Webasto warm air heating
control.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
This is one of the earlier photos of the boat, included to show the
two steps down to the forcabin level. It also shows an earlier fridge
but, probably, still not the original. At this point the location of
the curtain is in the position seen in the 1990 Hoseasons brochure,
where the doors to the toilet and shower compartment can still be
seen. As seen in the photograph above, the next owner moved the curtain
to hide those those doors.
Shower and Toilet
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Back with the more recent pictures, the curtain will, when drawn,
now hide the shower door (to port) and toilet door (to starboard). The
preferred location of the curtain will, presumably, depend on whether
and how often the boat is used for overnight cruises and whether there
are two or more aboard.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
The original twin tap unit is still in place. In taking this photo
the broker appears not to have moved what appears to be the headboard
normally found in the forecabin.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Just visible in the picture is the handle in the floor used to
lift the hatch that reveal the shower tray.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Not obvious in the previous pictures is the bathroom cabinet,
believed to be an original fitting.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Perhaps surprisingly, there is no hand basin in the toilet
compartment, but the compartment is very small and, given the way the
door hinges, this may reveal why later owners moved the curtain aft of
the toilet door.
Fore Cabin
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Finally, we reach the forecabin. The photographer appears to have
left one of the cockpit side screens, rolled up on the bed. To
starboard are drawers that form part of a dressing table.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Considering its position, well into the bow of the boat, the bed
appears to be almost rectangular, something that is not common in a
boat of this length.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Here we see a better view of the storage space available. Also
notable, is the slope in the floor, inevitable, when the cabin is so
far forward and the companionway offset to starboard.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Another view of the dressing table, this time showing the mirror
above.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
And, finally, in this cabin, we see the wardrobe open.
Companionway
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Standing in the fore cabin and looking aft we can see all the way
to the cockpit. This picture again accentuates the two steps up to the
main cabin.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
A similar view to the previous picture, this one is here to show how
the hatch, seen in the very first picture of this tour, appears from
inside the fore cabin.
©2018/23
Boatshed Norfolk
Finally, we climb the steps to return to the main cabin. Given the
range and quality of the fittings throughout the boat, which include a
Hampton Boats Ltd branded bilge pump switch gear at the helm and a
holding tank monitor control unit in the toilet compartment, it's
likely that a car radio would have been an original fitting, but the
one seen here includes a CD player so must be a replacement unit.