Welcome to the Star Craft Owners’ Club Website!
* Stop Press! Please see our latest news below. *
The Star Craft Owners’ Club, started by a group of devoted owners in 1993, is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of these classic wooden motor cruisers, built between 1946 and 1975 by William Bates & Son in their boatyard at Chertsey on the River Thames.
One of the primary goals of the club website is to connect with past owners and other Star Craft friends in hope that you might share your stories and knowledge of these boats. We wish you an enjoyable visit to the website and that you find some of your old wooden friends. We urge you to share your memories!
Star Craft inspire enthusiasm and loyalty, not only in those lucky enough to own them, but also in the craftsmen who built them and in many who have simply watched them go by on the river. On 3rd June 2012 no fewer than seven Star Craft were proud to take part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames.
We have even moved into the modern world and have a Facebook Group set up whereby club members can post and upload photos, a great way of keeping in touch with fellow members. Click on the Facebook icon at the bottom of the page.
So once again, welcome to the website – and perhaps to the Club itself!
Mark Stanley, Commodore
October 2021
One of the primary goals of the club website is to connect with past owners and other Star Craft friends in hope that you might share your stories and knowledge of these boats. We wish you an enjoyable visit to the website and that you find some of your old wooden friends. We urge you to share your memories!
Star Craft inspire enthusiasm and loyalty, not only in those lucky enough to own them, but also in the craftsmen who built them and in many who have simply watched them go by on the river. On 3rd June 2012 no fewer than seven Star Craft were proud to take part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames.
We have even moved into the modern world and have a Facebook Group set up whereby club members can post and upload photos, a great way of keeping in touch with fellow members. Click on the Facebook icon at the bottom of the page.
So once again, welcome to the website – and perhaps to the Club itself!
Mark Stanley, Commodore
October 2021
Latest News
Well, the days are now drawing in and the main boating season is behind us. We did however have three major events this year. The May rally might seem a while ago now but it was fun and our thanks to the Bates family for hosting. The Trad Boat Festival took place in August at Henley and was a great success. This was followed in quick succession by the Classic Boat festival at St Katherine's dock in the shadow of Tower Bridge. There was a good showing of Star Craft at all these events and "Carefree" has earned a reputation for punching above her weight (and size) by tackling the Tideway on her way to and from St Kats.
We hope that we will be able to adhere to a more "normal" programme of events next year. In the meantime, Ben Ludford has turned his attention to the next edition of "The Star" and you are invited to submit your stories, news of restorations etc.
We hope that we will be able to adhere to a more "normal" programme of events next year. In the meantime, Ben Ludford has turned his attention to the next edition of "The Star" and you are invited to submit your stories, news of restorations etc.