Ripon Motor Boat Club has unveiled its new slipway.
The club, based in Littlethorpe, was established in 1931 and is now one of the largest inland private boat clubs in the UK.
It offers 140 boat berths and now boasts a new and improved slipway, which is used to draw out boats from the water for repairs and maintenance.
Club secretary, David Hughes, told the Stray Ferret the previous slipway became “unfit for purpose”.
He said the club has purchased land from a local farming family, called the Nicholson’s, several times over the years to expand the site. The club decided to build the slipway on land south of the marina, which was also bought from the Nicholson’s
Mr Hughes said:
“The new slipway would not only allow narrowboats up to 58’6 in length and 20 tonnes in weight to be drawn out of the water on the rail track system, but could also accommodate a purpose-built boat lift for cruisers weighing up to twelve tonnes and up to 35’ in length.
“This would then also give us the option to drive a boat into the dock, pick it up with the boat lift and then chock it up ashore at a suitable location and maximise our available space.”
Mr Hughes said members of the club volunteered to build the new marina, adding it took until the end of 2023 to complete the construction work.
The work was delayed due to the pandemic, “appalling” winter weather and technical difficulties along the way, he added.
Mr Hughes said the project, which was funded entirely by club members, cost an “inconsiderable sum” but declined to provide the Stray Ferret with a figure.
He added:
“Since completion, we have removed several narrow boats and quite a number of cruisers up to the stated capacity limits. Many of our members are wishing to make use of the facility in the coming months to catch up on maintenance tasks.”
The slipway lifting a boat. (From left) Elizabeth Nicholson and her daughter Lizzie with club Commodore, Geoff Graham
Mr Hughes also told the Stray Ferret the club debated what the new slipway should be called, adding:
“The most popular choice by far was to name the slipway after our long-term benefactors, the Nicholson’s, without whom we would not be here today.
“So, Nicholson’s Slipway it is.”
One of the club members crafted a stone plaque detailing the new name and construction period, he added.
The club held a grand opening last Saturday (April 20), where Elizabeth Nicholson and her daughter Lizzie declared the slipway officially open.
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