Dawn-Craft BurgeeThe Dawn-Craft Variant

Much of what has been written previously about the Hampton Safari quotes either Paul's Shorebase site or Craig Slawson's Boats of the Norfolk Broads database. However recent research indicates there are gaps and even some misinformation in what they both report. It appears that Paul had only encountered boats built using the old MkI mould tools and had been led to believe that these were built by Dawn‑Craft. On his Shorebase site he describes this variant of the Safari with these words:

Mk1D (Dawncraft 26)

The history of these is a little clouded. They differ in having one long cabin side window and a round port hole in the aft quarter, otherwise they appear to be Mk1 mouldings. The aft cabin on some perhaps all, was unusual, in having 2 single berths.

The history remains cloudy. It appears that the name "Dawncraft 26" was given to Paul by the owner of a boatyard on the southern rivers, as explained on the page about the Company Name. We do know that Paul's "Mk1D" designation was adopted by Craig in his database for all the long side window boats. Paul's description also suggested he had only encountered Dawn‑Craft boats that had been fitted with twin berths in the aft cabin. In contrast, it took over a year gathering material for this site before photographs of a boat with twin berths was found and it is one of a class of only two provided by Dawn‑Craft to the Brinkcraft fleet.

side view of Miss Kendi

Miss Kendi (B185), the first Dawn-Craft variant to be built, has the long side window incorporating two half-height sliding panes and small porthole aft that distinguishes Dawn‑Craft boats from the earlier Bondon built boats.

As the "Mk1D" was researched it emerged that two boats with long side windows were built by R & C Bondon three years before Dawn‑Craft started building theirs, making a designation of "Mk1B" more appropriate for the first boats. So far, all the long side window Safaris built by Dawn‑Craft, appear to be based on MkII shells. That's not surprising as the earliest example listed in Craig's database is B185 and that boat was built on a MkII shell and launched in 1975, three years after the MkII was announced. The database records that, from 1975, Dawn‑Craft (Wroxham) built two or three variant boats each year until 1978. All of them went to the Brinkcraft fleet in Wroxham and it would be more accurate to suggest the designation for the Dawn‑Craft variant should have been "Mk2D".

Dawn-Craft Variant Examples

The three examples shown below exhibit the standard features of MkII shells and a number of common features that indicate they were fitted out by the same builder.

Externally, they all have the enlarged gas locker hatch above which is a blank area on which to hang a life ring. They all have a wiper motor mounted half way up the starboard side of the window ahead of the helmsman's seat and have a pulpit fitted on the fore deck. Judging by the photographs found on Craig's database, all examples of the marque have the same pulpit fitting with the bow tube open at the top, apparently designed to take a flag pole. Internally, both include a saloon floor raised by some four inches, as shown in Hampton's Original Plans and a lipped dashboard with an angled area for the instrument panel.

The first two examples have clearly been significantly customised since launch, while the third example, Willow, is one of the most original boats found so far. It has a fit-out featuring not just the twin berths in the aft cabin, as described by Paul, but also a separate saloon with a full height door and bulkhead between the saloon and galley.

Maytime Safari

Side view of Maytime Safari

© 2023 HSBC

Maytime Safari (B186) was the second of the first three of the marque built by Dawn‑Craft. Launched in 1975 as Brinkella 2, she has undergone several name changes and a significant refit since launch.

Gas Locker Hatch on Maytime Safari

© 2023 HSBC

The Gas Bottle Hatch has longer hinges than normal...

~Instrument Panel on Maytime Safari

© 2023 HSBC

...and inside there's a raised wooden instrument panel.

Maytime Safari Internal

© 2023 HSBC

Although heavily customised, it can be seen that Maytime Safari closely followed the open plan internal design suggested by Alec Hampton for a four berth boat that included a small wardrobe space in the saloon.

Maytime Safari Aft Cabin

© 2023 HSBC

The bed in the aft cabin appears very much as you would expect in a Safari, although it's likely that the padded headboard is a later addition.

Alfresco

Side view of Alfresco

© 2024 HSBC

Alfresco (K088) was originally named Brinkling 2 and was launched in 1976, the same year as Brinkling. They were followed in 1977 by Brinkling 3 and Brinkling 4.

Gas Locker Hatch on Alfresco

© 2024 HSBC

Alfesco has a pushpit fitted...

Instrument Panel on Alfresco

© 2024 HSBC

...and a huge range of additional electronic gear.

Aft Bed in Alfresco

© 2024 HSBC

It is likely that the over bed light fittings and framing around the headboard are later additions to the cabin. In the mirror on the cabin door you can see the foot of the bed.

Aft Cabin furniture in Alfresco

© 2024 HSBC

The furniture on the aft cabin is a little surprising. It follows the design that Hampton suggested for the Three berth boat, rather than the later version that switches the dressing table with the drawers and open lockers, thus providing easy access to the storage space under the aft deck.

Willow

This third example is interestingly different! Externally, Willow is very similar to the other two boats, even having the same pattern of three hull mounted strakes as Maytime Safari. However, you will notice that the opening panes on the long side windows on Willow are full height hoppers, rather than vertically sliding panes. Internally, Willow lacks any significant customisation since launch and only appears to have had essential repairs to her fit-out.

Side view of Willow

© 2024 Sutton Staithe Boatyard

Willow (L58) was launched as Brinkster 1 in 1977. Craig's database suggests there was a sister boat, Brinkster 2 (L59), launched in the following year, but that appears to have left the Norfolk Broads in the early 2000s.

Gas Locker Hatch on Alfresco

© 2024 Sutton Staithe Boatyard

Willow's strakes match those of Maytime Safari ...

Instrument Panel on Alfresco

© 2024 Sutton Staithe Boatyard

...and the instruments appear to be "as launched".

Willow's Aft Cabin

© 2024 Sutton Staithe Boatyard

Entering at the stern you see this boat has an aft cabin with twin berths, not a double.

Willow's Aft Cabin

© 2024 Sutton Staithe Boatyard

The berths are narrow and although adult length, perhaps only suitable for children.

Willow's Saloon

© 2024 Sutton Staithe Boatyard

Apart from the twin beds in the aft cabin, the second feature that sets this fit-out apart from the norm is that the saloon is a cabin separated from the galley. It must make access to the engine for any kind of maintenance work a little trickier!

It is interesting to ponder to whom this layout might appeal. Without the usual double bed in the aft cabin the space under it for the fresh water and sewage holding tank are much reduced. That suggests it would be better suited to short term cruises.

Perhaps it was intended for a couple holidaying with two young children. There's plenty of floor space for them to play on the floor of the aft cabin where they can also be put to bed early while the parents can relax in the saloon with the door closed, to cause as little disturbance as possible as they go to sleep?

Couples cruising alone and wanting to sleep in a double bed, will have to convert the dinette in the saloon each night. You'll also see that unlike the Hampton recommended fit-out for a four berth boat, there is no space taken from the toilet/shower compartment for a wardrobe. That leaves only the under-gunwale cupboard by the cabin door available for hanging clothes.