FLIGHT OF THE ALBATROSS
Messing about with a fast motor boat on a flat stretch of water on the Italian lakes or on the Côte d’Azur in the South of France is, to my mind, one of life’s little pleasures to be savoured and enjoyed – particularly if the boat is a classic, built before the ubiquitous plastic or rubber craft so prevalent today. The beauty and myth of the Italian Rivas of the period circa
La Dolce Vita immediately spring to mind, along with classic Chris Crafts of the 1950s and 60s from the USA. There is, however, a possibly more humble, rarer and seldom seen offering that can provide an even greater amount of pleasure and fun.
Built by Albatross Marine of St. Olaves near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, England, the Albatross sports runabout had been a tremendous success since its development in 1950. These small sports boats were the brainchild of designer Archie Peace, who worked at the Bristol Aeroplane Company before the war, and Peter Hives, the son of the Chairman of Rolls-Royce, who was
