ABOUT THE CLUB

The Thames Vintage Boat Club was founded at Old Windsor in March 1983 to provide a club and forum for all types of traditionally built craft; to seek to encourage their restoration, maintenance and above all use and to produce an historical record of all craft in the organisation.

Now celebrating our 23rd Anniversary this March, we can look back on a remarkable success in our aims over the past years. We have a boat membership of around 200 amongst which will be found the finest builds and restorations anywhere. Our members include most of the reputable boat builders of the Thames and noted experts on engines, design, boat types and history, etc. Many of our boats will be on show at the annual Thames Traditional Boat Rally this year and may be distinguished by their TVBC burgees. The Club was instrumental in ensuring the success of the Wooden Boat Show at Greenwich by providing a core of beautiful craft for the first four shows and has subsequently shown craft widely. Our international reputation is assured including prize winning show entries at both Douarnenez and Brest  in France, amongst others.

We provide a very lively social calendar and a friendly environment for all, from the interested to the enthusiast and from individuals to families. Our magazine "The Boater" keeps us all in touch and is much admired. Our club colours, boaters, sweatshirts and badges are distinctive and competitively priced. We also have one of the lowest annual subscriptions of any boating club.

If you have a proper interest in traditional boats or just like being around them, you will find a welcome with the TVBC. Speak to any of our members flying the TVBC burgee (buff and brown with our logo), they will be pleased to meet and inform you.

Alternatively, come to the Thames Traditional Boat Rally and visit our stand near the Registration tent, and relax whilst learning more about us, view the large photographic display of our activities and our member craft, and if you wish, apply for membership there and then ! Or if you wish phone our Membership Secretary, Grant Kinnaird   Tel: 020 8542 1669
g.kinnaird@blueyonder.co.uk (or address as below) and ask for further information or a Membership Pack.

We are also always on the lookout for people who would like to advertise in our Club Magazine, and they should contact the "Boater" Editor (currently John Llewellyn, email:  jej.llewellyn@virgin.net). Every member of the club is encouraged to contribute articles or other content for "The Boater", so bearing in mind the wealth of talent and experience in both boat building and restoration, and also cruising both rivers and seas, that exists within the membership, "The Boater" magazine is a very good read. A selection of articles is on this site for you to enjoy - click here to view.