Information for Birchwood boat owners

This website not only provides information to owners and admirers of Birchwood boats but also to owners of similar classic cruisers. Leaflets or information on the Birchwood boats built over the years can be downloaded from the last page of this site. Or on request to: john@birchwoodclassics.com 

The site is constantly added to and updated to provide useful information, owner's images and case studies. These include renovations, updates and problem solving. The  products and companies mentioned are for boater's information and use.   

John Pridmore owned his 1979 Birchwood 25, 'WildGarlic', with his family for over 26 years. As you can see in the caricature on the opening page, time on it was enjoyed by family and friends. The picture here is of Wild Garlic at a Bedford River Festival. 

John published the Birchwood Classics Newsletters in the late 90's. These were developed through the good graces of the boating media, Birchwood Marine International, Alex McMullen of MBM, and owners and boating enthusiasts who provided information and support. 

John has original source material some gained from his visit to the factory in Huthwaite, Sutton in Ashfield and subsequent meetings and discussions over the years with the different owners of the Birchwood Boat companies. Also with experienced staff at marinas, brokers and chandlers. He is in regular contact with the present owners of Birchwood and the Birchwood Owners group on facebook. John was editor of GOBA News, the magazine of the Great Ouse Boating Association, when he won its first awards. He still contributes articles. He regularly contributed to MBM, and Anglia Afloat. He exchanges information  with, and recommends, the online magazine, MotorBoatOwner.co.uk 

The Birchwood company has had a turbulent time and a variety of names. The original company was called the Birchwood Boat Co. The name came from the house where founder Ted Andrews built his first boat. (The 'history' of Birchwood is being updated and will be available mid year.)

In the late 1960’s the Birchwood Boat Company was a prolific builder of cruisers starting with 18ft to 20ft boats. The company's most significant build period was in the 1970s with the 22ft, 25ft and later the 27ft and 29ft cruisers suitable for  inland and estuary. In the 1980s the company went into production of larger cruisers, the 31, 33, 35 and 37. 

Birchwood 18 - also called the Continental.

Birchwood 22's - originally called the Interceptor Junior - approx 1,000 built 1970 to 1980.

Birchwood Interceptor, renamed the Birchwood 25 in 1975, 1,500 built 1968 to 1980. 

Birchwood 27 Countess, 100 between 1980 and 1984.

Birchwood 29 Senator or Sedan, over 200 built between 1976 and 1983.

Birchwood 31 Commodore, nearly 100 between 1981 and 1984. 

Birchwood 33/GT33 (later called Viceroy) was originally known as the Newport 33 built by Marine & Industrial Mouldings in Newport Pagnell. It was later bought by Birchwood in 1972. 

Through the 70's Birchwood built the bare hull and superstructure of the GT33 for completion by other boatyards or individuals. At the  1973 London Boat Show they launched the Birchwood 33 Series II.

Birchwood Sportsman 33 with aft cockpit and flybridge was introduced in 1976. 

Birchwood Viceroy 33 succeeded the above in 1980. Same hull but different superstructure and layout. Over 300 33's were built from 1973 to 1982.

Birchwood 35S/Sportsman 35 was introduced in 1978. This was a stretched version of the 33. The Sportsman 35 has a flying bridge.

Birchwood 37 President, 60 built between 1981 and 1984. It was superseded by the TS37. (If you have any info on this please forward it through the link below.)

Birchwood Regent 48. 20 built. 

(References: Alex McMullen, Birchwood Marine International, MBM, Jones Boatyard.)

(Later models are being included in the new 'history'. Request a copy from: john@birchwoodclassics.com