Frangipani

An Invited Friend of the Harrison Butler Association
Waterbug One Design by JA & W Upham 

  
 

Frangipani

The Waterbug One Design
Uphams' are credited with taking Harrison Butler's most popular design, the Z4, and updating it after the second world war to take advantage of an upturn of interest in small boat yachting. The Waterbug One Design was the result, and sixteen were build at the Upham boat yard in Brixham, Devon. In the above photograph of Frangipani some of the differences between the Z4 and the Waterbug are obvious; the chainplates are internal rather than external, and the coachroof has much more camber. At 6 tons, rather than 4, it's also a bigger boat. Dominic Buckley was Frangipani's last known owner, 2007. An update on her current location and condition would be welcome. Furthermore, given the close connection with Harrison Butler, I'm on the lookout for other fifteen Waterbugs built. All are listed on the Invited Friends of the HBA index page. If you can update any of the information held, please get in touch.

Frangipani Statistics
Built : 1957 by JW & A Upham Ltd of Brixham
LOA : 24' 2"
LWL : 21' 6"
Beam : 8' 5"
Draught : 4' 8"
Displacement : 6 tons TM
Lloyd's Register : N° 184065
Signal Letters : MRBK9

Frangipani Custodians & Home Ports
Dominic Buckley (?-2007-?)
Robert P Catcher (?-1980-?) Poole
Mr & Mrs JH Norbury (1970-1977-?) Poole
Lester Smith (1967-1969) Exmouth
Nigel Tangye (1963-1966) Falmouth
WE Church (1962) Falmouth
RME Markam (1957-1961) Helford River

Frangipani Links
The Waterbug; A Derived Design?, HBA Journal, New Year 2016 
Pedigree of The Waterbugs, HBA Journal, Autumn 2016 

Page last updated : December 2017

 
  

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