History

L.H. Jones & Son (boatbuilders) Ltd was established in 1946 when Laurie Jones came out of the RAF and took over a small boating site on the Hartford Meadows consisting of one large hut, part of which he converted into living quarters where he built punts and sailing dinghies. Mr Banham of Cambridge commented “you will never make any money building dinghies; build motor cruiseres for businessmen with secretaries and wives who are not very understanding!”

LH Jones began to design and build sea-going cruisers, small yachts and motor sailers. In 1958 he sold the business that became Purvis Boat Hire and moved to the current 13 acre site by St.Ives Staunch. It is thought to be one of the oldest marinas in Britain and many crafts like Goosander, pictured above, were built on the new site, and can still be seen on the river today.

History of The River Great Ouse

Originally named Slope, (a muddy slope rising out of a fora), the town had long been a river port and crossing point on The River Great Ouse. Around 1105 a wooden bridge was built where there had been a ford. The stone bridge with its chapel is one of only four surviving chapel bridges in he country, built by the Ramsey monks in 1414-15. In subsequent centuries tolls were levied on boats passing under the bridge. By the 17th Century The Ouse became navigable upstream to Great Barford and later to Bedford, incresing the importance of St.Ives as a trading port (before locks were built navigation was dependant on the tides).

In the 19th Century vast quantities of coal, corn, timber, cattle food, stone and reeds were transported up and down river.

Up until the early 20th Century 15-20 tonne barges known as Fen Lighters transported goods along The Great Ouse. However in the mid 19 Century railways spread quickly throughout the country and barge traffic started to dwindle on most of the rivers and canals in the country.

As transportation was in decline recreational activity along the river became more popular. Few people had cars to go away at weekends and it was customary for many to hire a punt or rowing boat for the day.

The first fiberglass craft was built by a pig farmer, and when people saw it, asked him to make them one, and the firm of Seamasters was created. Freeman started shortly afterwards.

Future Plans

We have recently been granted planning permission for a marina extension. The site is adjacent to the existing marina on the down stream side of the lock where we plan to install an additional 104 floating pontoons with water and electricity. The site will also have a cafe, shower block, hardstanding, slipway and parking. We hope to start construting the new basin in 2012. Please click on image opposite to see details of the plans.

Jones boatyard, boat sales and boat chandlers are located in St. Ives, Cambridgeshire on the River Great Ouse, and within an hours drive from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Peterborough, Greater London, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Northamptonshire. We specialise in river boat sales and inland boat chandlery.

Local river networks served by the marina, boat sales and chandlery include the River Great Ouse, the River Nene and the Middle Level, the Old West River, the River Cam, the River Lark, the Little Ouse, Brandon Creek, the River Whissey.