Name M. Y. Ruda

RUDA (official number 166177) was built in 1938 at the Shoreham yard of H T Stow, as the first boat of their newly designed 'Adur' Class of cruiser. She was exhibited at the London Boat Show, but the war clouds were already gathering and when WWII broke out she entered service with the Navy as a pilot recovery vessel. The autograph book of the Chief Engine Man in 1941 shows a sketch of RUDA with a Lewis gun on her foredeck. 

RUDA is carvel built with pitch pine planking on oak frames and with teak deck and superstructure.  She was originally powered by twin Ailsa Craig RF2 16-24hp 4-stroke diesels, but these were replaced in 2018 with 50hp Beta Marine units which power her along at a cruising speed of 8 knots.  Her teak and Honduras mahogany interior is still mostly intact.

After the war, RUDA was bought back by the Stow yard, and then had a series of private owners, as well as a spell as a hire boat for Blue Water Cruisers working out of Salcombe, Devon.  Bought by her current owner in 1995, she was rebuilt in south Devon as a liveaboard, while retaining her feel and as many original features as possible. 

RUDA cruised in Europe for over a decade, including time in the Finnish lake system, the Swedish coasts and the Göta Canal, and many years slowly navigating the French canals.  As of 2025, she is located in Penryn, near Falmouth in Cornwall. 

Update, April 2025: Vessel for sale.