Stour Trusty II is an elegant electric launch designed in Edwardian style and having a traditional canopy whist enjoying the advantage of modern technology.
Based at Flatford, Stour Trusty II can carry up to 12 adults on her regular 30 minute round trips on the Stour between Flatford and Fen Bridge. She operates on Sundays and Bank Holidays between Easter and the beginning of October.
Stour Trusty II Is skippered by friendly volunteer crew and two crew members are provided for all charters.
Stour Trusty II is the only powered craft licensed to operate on the lower Stour between Stratford St Mary and Brantham, a distance of approximately 5 miles.
A full day charter provides the opportunity for a delightful cruise over the full extent of the lower navigable Stour from the head of the tidal estuary at Brantham up to the
disused lock at Stratford St Mary, passing through the old Brantham sea lock and the traditional working locks at Flatford and Dedham which have been restored by the River Stour Trust.
The River Stour is approximately 24 miles long. It is still a statutory Navigation, and a right to travel by boat along the whole river is still preserved. Almost half of the River is now re-opened for use as a through navigation for boats ( from Sudbury to Great Henny on the upper reach and from Stratford St Mary to Brantham on the lower reach). However, the remaining locks, which provided through navigation on the unrestored central section, are largely derelict or have disappeared, and there and many obstacles for boat users.
The Bylaws provide that: from Ballingdon bridge (Sudbury) to Great Henny, boats with engines may be used, but are subject to a strict speed limit of 4 mph, which does not create wash or damage to the banks. However, boats with engines are precluded from using the river below Great Henny, unless (like Stour Trusty II) they were licensed at the time of the Angolan Water Act 1977.
Thus, the only boats currently able to use part of the river below Great Henny are those which are light enough to manoeuvre around many obstacles to navigate the river. This restricts most of the river to canoes although, even for such small craft, the river is not sufficiently navigable to allow easy passage along its entire lower section.
