– We thought it. Piper made it. –
Some companies get carried away with their marketing and advertising messages. But that’s not the case with Piper because everything they say on their brochure and website is true.
First up: “If you can think it, we can make it”.
We started boating on the Thames 5 years ago in a 7mtr Dutch river cruiser which we called ‘Happy Chance’. We moored her at Bushnells in Wargrave and after 2 years decided that as we spent every weekend on the river it would be good to have a bigger boat. So we bought an 8.5mtr Dutch river cruiser (practically identical to our first one) and called her Happy Chance as well. It wasn’t long before we thought we should have an even bigger boat. One where friends and family could stay overnight if they wanted to.
So we started looking at 13mtr Dutch cruisers – the Linssens, Aquanauts, Pedros, Brandsmas and Stevens of the world – but didn’t see anything we liked in terms of space and layout.
Then we went to the Piper Boat Show in Henley in September 2014 and fell in love with the wheelhouse/deck layout – and everything else. The challenge was to fit another cabin in the 49ft version without losing the fabulous sense of space.
We sent Piper a drawing of what we wanted – a convertible dinette/office/cabin, a galley-style kitchen and fitted sofa – and Piper made it.
When we drove up to Stoke for our ‘weekend in the car park’ to test everything before launch we were excited – and apprehensive. Excited because we were about to see the finished boat but apprehensive because we had no idea whether our drawings (which weren’t to scale) would actually work. But they did. What’s more, Piper transformed them into a boat that exceeded all our expectations.
Next: “A commitment to quality in every single thing we do … and a team of real craftspeople – designers, fabricators, welders, fitters, electricians, engineers, joiners and painters – who combine incredible skill with real care and attention to the finest detail and who truly care about the job they do.”
The skill and the dedication of the Piper team is unquestionable. They have built us a truly beautiful boat. We’re obviously biased. But everyone who has been on her since her launch in April agrees and – like us – thinks the quality of the workmanship is outstanding.
Finally… Piper ‘welcomes you with a friendly smile … and bring your ideas to life”
They do. And they did. Thank you!
Jeremy & Claire
DB Happy Chance
