John & Sylvia Fowler

Owners Of Sea Otter 30' Narrowboat
Gamebird III

It was in the summer of 1997, whilst hanging over the back on my little Shetland to remove a discarded umbrella from the outboard prop, that I decided it was time to buy a "real" boat. As soon as I had cleaned myself up, I picked up a copy of waterways world which carried a write-up on the new aluminium Sea Otter narrow boat. It was there and then I rang Ray Shepherd, the managing director of Sea Otter boats.

An appointment was immediately made to view his demonstrator boat and I promptly placed an order for my new boat which was to bear the hull number 017. I was a little bit disappointed that it was not a little bigger but Ray assured me that it was not possible to build an aluminium boat any longer than 26 feet at that time. He also told me that when I got it I would love it - that bit was entirely true!

Needless to say it was hardly on the stand at the 1998 Birmingham Show before the 30 foot version was announced. Ray quickly arranged the sale of my boat to the redoubtable Ann Street and took my order for "Gamebird III". It bears the hull number 066 and was on the stand at the Birmingham Show in 2000.

In eight seasons of Sea Otter cruising I, and my various crews, have covered virtually the whole of the UK waterways system from Godalming to Tewitfield and Bristol to Sheffield without major incident or breakdown. During that time, and with the generous help and co-operation of Sea Otter and Walton Marine, we have taken part in seven group cruises with other Otter Owners who, without exception, have proved to be as enjoyable as their boats.

John & Sylvia Fowler

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