A MAGNIFICENT 1930s powerboat has recently been restored to its former glory and is now being kept at Bailey Bridge Marina, Christchurch on a dry stack.

The “old classic”, as described by marina owner Will Everliegh, was previously restored in Poole having been found in a farmers field in a bad state.

In April the owner, Lawney Dampney, approached Mr. Everleigh to store the vessel at Bailey Bridge, much to the delight of the boatyard.

Speaking with the Echo, Mr. Everleigh said: “It's a beautiful boat. Everything is original, it has a V8 engine with 180 horsepower even the steel fire extinguishers are original.

“The attention to detail is phenomenal. You can not help admiring it, we’re very fortunate to have it here.”

Mr. Everleigh has spent his life working with boats and says “you just can't help falling in love with it” and praised the restoration work and the incredible workmanship that had gone into it.

The owner, Mr. Dampney, who lives in West Parley, purchased the boat in 2019 after he saw it up for sale in Parkstone, having been searching for a small vessel at the time.

He told the Echo: “It is an absolutely beautiful boat.

"Everyone adores it, people love it and turn their heads when they see it on the water.”

“I’ve fallen in love with it, it's now my passion looking after it.”

Originally the boat was made in Hamble in Southampton over 80 years ago.

Before being restored recently by Chris Somner to its original condition after it was found in its damaged state on farmland.

Mr. Dampney revealed he did have one regret in regard to the boat.

That was not being able to let the vessel be used as part of the set for the Death on the Nile film in 2019 because the timings did not work out.

Bailey Bridge Marina only just opened in April this year after Mr. Everleigh developed the £200,000 site on former MOD land in Christchurch.