Norman 266

I had a day at Southgate’s Boatyard in Horning on Friday Surveying this Norman 266 Motor Cruiser.

All the boats at Southgates have now been transferred to Martham Boats to augment their existing fleet, so at least they are in good hands.The sheds are now used for hardstanding and servicing boats...

Norman Boats business started in Shaw Lancs, then moved to Isherwood Street in Heywood Lancs then back to a new site in Shaw. Other factories were added (Royton and Heywood) and the business expanded into manufacturing windows and windscreens under the name of North West Windows Ltd at our Heywood factory. They also made boat canopies, upholstery, tents etc under the name of North West Marine Trimmers Ltd at our Padiham - Lancashire factory. At the same factory they also made boat trailers (Speedmaster Trailers). At the height of the business 1971 -1973 the business employed around 200 people (approx 120 in boatbuilding) We employed around 70 glassfibre laminators of which around 30 were female.

This later 266 model was the new era of design for Norman . The cockpit was built right out to the hull sides to maximise the space available. The boat was only produced for a short time in the early 80s. This modern design offered an open plan design and there was an option of an additional 2 single quarter berths at the aft end of the cockpit. This set of mouldings went on to become the Bates Astral and the highly successful Shetland 27. The semi displacement hull handles well at low speeds. The engine fitted in this example was a 150HP Volvo on a sterndrive.