Albatross Continental Mark II

This beautiful and rare 1963 Albatross Continental Mark II was taken back to bare metal and then totally restored to its original concours condition by Albatross Marine in 2021/22. Last used cruising the fresh-water Caledonian Canal, this Albatross speedboat has been used for just over 6 hrs since its exceptional restoration.

One of only 164 fitted with a Coventry Climax engine, the full strip and rebuild of this Albatross included a Coventry Climax FWB 1500 high-performance overhead cam engine with FWB block and new FWA head from Peacock Engineering, original Albatross engine castings, and twin SU H4 Carbs rebuilt by Southern Carbs. Coventry Climax engines are renowned for their power-to-weight ratio and are used in Coventry Climax-powered single-seater or sports racers like the Lotus Eleven and Cooper-Climax.

The original Albatross boats were offered with a Coventry Climax 85hp engine upgrade. A dynamometer test was carried out by Hart Power in March 2022; Their test sheet confirms the engine in this boat at 101.4hp at 5,984rpm.

Albatross Marine, founded by engineers Peter Hives (the son of Rolls-Royce Chairman Lord Hives) and Archie Peace, was the first class of speedboat to be produced in quantity after World War II. Albatross Marine of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England built high-quality speedboats from 1949 to 1966.

Peace had been trained by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and the Albatross was designed using aircraft techniques and built out of aluminium, a material in plentiful supply in the after-war years. Around 1,300 of various types were made, the most desirable being those fitted with the Coventry Climax engine, like that offered here. ‘#1227’ is a rare Continental model, the four-seat variant of the Albatross two-seater speedboat, an example of which is on display in the National Maritime Museum, Cornwall.

The boats were light and easy to tow on a road trailer. They were also fitted with a lifting eye, which enabled them to be carried and launched from a motor yacht. The Albatross is a quality product which was sold all around the world. Albatross boats were sought after by a distinguished clientele which included royalty, celebrities, and boat enthusiasts alike.

Brigitte Bardot was photographed in an Albatross at St Tropez, while HRH Prince Phillip once owned two, which were kept on board as tenders to the Royal Yacht ‘Britannia’ and used for water skiing.

Aristotle Onassis owned an Albatross; Prince Rainier of Monaco had six at one time; Thai racing driver Prince Bira owned another. Lord and Lady Docker kept one aboard their classic super yacht ‘Shemara’ for water skiing (The current owner of ‘Shemara’, Charles Dunstone, still keeps an Albatross on board).

David Nations, once described by Lord Mountbatten as ‘the father of British water skiing’ championed Albatross boats. Albatross speedboats were also raced and proved successful in events like the Paris Six-Hour race.  

Pre-restoration photographs and post-restoration bills, pictures, and videos are available.

Complete with an original road/launching trailer (with spare wheel), tonneau cover, ratchet straps,  Albatross Marine front and rear flag poles, flags, insignia etc.

In 1952 Albatross Marine took on a third partner, Bruce Campbell a member of the famed Donald Campbell (“Bluebird” etc.) family.) Also included in the sale is a copy of a type-written and then hand-edited Albatross manual that was used to produce the manual for the later Delta GRP speedboat. (Note - This manual was kindly provided to the seller by a member of the Campbell family.

Disclaimer

Nicolle Associates offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

• As always photographs do not do justice so a viewing is highly recommended.
• This boat is lying in Salisbury, England.
• © 2023 Nicolle Associates