Tribute to John Williams

The boating industry has lost a much respected boatbuilder and innovator. John Williams enjoyed a long and successful career in the marine industry, and the growth and development of today’s UK canal and river system is said to be thanks to the pioneering work of John and his colleagues.

Originally trained as a carpenter, John joined the Shropshire Union Cruisers and became the carpenter responsible for fit-outs of this pioneering firm in building and hiring of quality narrow beam holiday hire boats on the UK Canal System, helping to establish the standards of construction and operation.

He represented the company on the then National Hire Trade Body – The Association of Pleasure Craft Operators – and took a lead in bringing together a number of small and medium operators to work together to keep the existing canals open to navigation and to support schemes to restore derelict rivers and canals.

John moved to the Norfolk Broads to join Porter and Haylett of Wroxham who, from 1979, built and operated Connoisseur Cruisers before moving to The Staithe in Stalham to open his own boatyard and develop a Hire Fleet.

The quality of the boats and the service given to customers was the hallmark of John’s business. He built, restored and serviced classic Broads sailing yachts, including the Andrew Wolstenholme designed ‘ROSE’ and a variety of Broads motor cruisers. He was a pioneer owner of a modern GRP Steam Powered Launch.

In the 1990s he became involved with The Electric Boat Association and pioneered work again with local Naval Architect, Andrew Wolstenholme in developing the ‘Regatta 21’ trailable electric powered Cabin Launches. His boats are in enjoyable, quiet use on the River Thames, canals and other rivers.

In each area of his career, he maintained his original high standards of workmanship, added innovation, pioneering new types of boat and boating, and was always seeking to give customers good advice and service.