Motor Vessel Penelope II was built by Borwicks of Bowness for a local family.

They used the boat mainly to follow the Royal Windermere Yacht Club races. With a straight bow and cruiser stern, M.V Penelope II looks like a traditional Windermere steam launch but has always run on a motor engine.

The launch was built between the two World Wars, in the style of a tradition launch but with the convenience of a modern motor engine. This was more easily maintained than the steam powered boiler.

Our conservation team of qualified Conservation Boat Builders began work on M.V Penelope II in October 2017 and have completed a 3 year-long conservation project to restore it to be a working heritage vessel that reflects, as much as is possible, original materials and processes that would have been used when it was originally built in 1930.

M.V Penelope II will begin service from 12 April while S.L Osprey moves to the Conservation Workshop for essential maintenance. Both vessels are expected on the water together in July. Find out more and book a heritage boat trip here.