Welcome to Lyme Boats Limited

- History and Development of the Vigilante 33 -

Lyme Boats owner, Brian Pogson has over 20 years experience as a commercial boat operator and he knows the value of a strong, well built boat that does the job you want it to do and won’t let you down.

The company started out buying in hulls from other yards and fitting them to customer specification. Most of the boats were built to type approval and/or S.F.I.A. construction standard. The company found that it was almost impossible to control quality and delivery times when buying in hulls and Brian frustrated at not being able to develop the product always new that one day he would design his own boat.

With rising fuel costs and expensive mooring fees the aim was to produce a manageable 33ft boat that provided comfortable accommodation and ample deck area that would normally be found on a much larger vessel. The performance and ride of the deep-v hull with the incorporation of a tunnel was used to reduce draft and obtain optimum shaft angle.

Brian initiated the design process with qualified naval architect, Bruce Sexton-Barrow and went to Paul Williams at Clements Engineering for his expertise with calculating the correct set up for the propeller and stern gear. The boat was given a real traditional Maine style look. Line drawings were then sent to specialists Jim Moore and Graham Grimwade of JM Design who produced a 3D-Model and kit using computer-aided design and robotic mill. This technology is to be used throughout the construction and final fit of the boat to dramatically reduce the labour element.

The kit was sent to Bridgend Boat Company in Plymouth whose craftsmen assembled the kit and produced the plugs and mould tools. The mould tools were delivered to Lyme Boats at their new premises in Chard, Somerset in February 2006 and production of the Vigilante 33 commenced...