G. Prout & Sons

G. Prout & Sons was a British boatbuilding company based on Canvey Island in Essex. Founded in 1935 by Geoffrey Prout, a boating specialist, writer, and First World War veteran, the business initially concentrated on folding boats, including collapsible canoes, dinghies, and kayaks. Its foundation followed Geoffrey Prout’s receipt of a patent for a folding boat in January 1935. The company’s early products addressed the practical needs of boaters who required craft that could be transported, stored, or launched more easily than conventional rigid boats. The Prout family’s sporting and technical interests shaped the company’s later direction. Geoffrey’s sons Francis and Roland Prout were accomplished canoeists and competed at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games. While working in the family business, they experimented with multihull sailing by joining two K1 kayaks with a bamboo platform and adding a mast and sail. This experiment led to the development of the Shearwater I in the early 1950s. After testing the design in local regattas, the family developed the Shearwater III. The National Maritime Museum has described the Shearwater III as the first production catamaran in the world, giving the company an important place in the history of commercially produced sailing multihulls. G. Prout & Sons subsequently expanded beyond small experimental and beach-oriented craft into larger sailing and cruising catamarans. The company became associated with a broad range of Prout catamarans and with a distinctive approach to multihull design. Its cruising boats used a modified Bermuda sloop arrangement, characterized by a relatively large genoa, a smaller mainsail, and a mast positioned toward the rear of the bridgedeck cabin rather than at its forward end. The configuration reflected the company’s view that cruising catamarans were particularly effective when sailing downwind or with the wind on the quarter. Although unconventional in appearance compared with more traditional catamaran rigs, the arrangement became part of the recognizable Prout design identity. The company also remained known for folding dinghies made from wood and PVC-coated canvas. Its range included sailing, rowing, and outboard-capable craft in several sizes. Models and variants included the 10-foot Seabird, the 8-foot-6-inch Seaswallow, the 7-foot-6-inch Seasprite, the 7-foot-6-inch Yacht Dinghy, the 6-foot Scoprel, and the 5-foot Rowing Coracle. Accessories and related equipment included oars, spray decks, trolleys, and an outboard attachment for rowing dinghies. Corporate structures around the Prout name changed during the company’s later years. In 1975 Francis and Roland Prout became directors of a separate business, Prout Catamarans, while members of the next generation continued catamaran production through G. Prout & Sons Ltd. Prout Catamarans changed its name to 199 AB Limited in 2001 and entered administration that year. In 1989, G. Prout & Sons Ltd itself was renamed Prout Holdings Ltd. The historical record also notes a decision on 22 April 2020 to wind up that company and appoint a liquidator, while the G. Prout & Sons business is generally described as having been dissolved in 2002. Accordingly, the brand is treated as defunct rather than as an active boatbuilder. Its legacy survives principally through surviving Prout catamarans, historical folding boats, and its contribution to the development of production sailing multihulls.

Geoffrey Prout established G. Prout & Sons in 1935 after obtaining a patent for a folding boat in January of that year. Based on Canvey Island in Essex, the business developed portable boating equipment, including folding canoes, kayaks, dinghies, and related accessories. The company’s early specialization reflected the advantages of craft that could be collapsed for transport and storage, while still being suitable for sailing, rowing, or use with an outboard motor. The next major phase came through Geoffrey Prout’s sons, Francis and Roland. Both were canoeists and represented Great Britain at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games. While working with their father, they explored the sailing potential of multihulls by temporarily joining two K1 kayaks with a bamboo platform, mast, and sail. The success of this improvised craft led to the Shearwater I, developed in the early 1950s and tested in local regattas. The family then created the Shearwater III. The National Maritime Museum identifies the Shearwater III as the first production catamaran in the world, making it a significant milestone in the commercial history of sailing multihulls. G. Prout & Sons progressed from small catamarans to larger cruising vessels and built a substantial range of Prout catamarans. Its cruising catamarans employed a distinctive interpretation of the Bermuda sloop rig. The design emphasized a large genoa and a comparatively reduced mainsail, with the mast placed toward the rear of the bridgedeck cabin. The arrangement was based on the company’s assessment that cruising catamarans perform especially well on downwind courses and when sailing with the wind on the quarter. This design language distinguished Prout boats from more conventionally proportioned cruising catamarans. Folding dinghies remained another important part of the company’s identity. These were produced using wood and PVC-coated canvas and were offered in sailing, rowing, and powered configurations. The range included the 10-foot Seabird, 8-foot-6-inch Seaswallow, and 7-foot-6-inch Seasprite, as well as rowing-oriented yacht dinghies, the Scoprel, and the Rowing Coracle. The boats could be accompanied by equipment such as oars, trolleys, spray decks, and fittings for outboard propulsion. In 1975 Francis and Roland Prout became directors of a new company called Prout Catamarans. Members of the following generation continued catamaran production through G. Prout & Sons Ltd. Prout Catamarans later changed its name to 199 AB Limited in 2001 and entered administration that year. Separately, G. Prout & Sons Ltd was renamed Prout Holdings Ltd in 1989. The historical record describes G. Prout & Sons as dissolved in 2002, and also records a 22 April 2020 decision to wind up Prout Holdings Ltd and appoint a liquidator. These later corporate events mark the end of the business as an active manufacturer, although Prout-designed boats remain part of the historical and second-hand sailing market.

• 2020

  Winding-up decision

  [1]G. Prout & Sonsen.wikipedia.org

  On 22 April 2020, Prout Holdings Ltd was subject to a winding-up decision and a liquidator was appointed.

• 2002

  Business described as dissolved

  [1]G. Prout & Sonsen.wikipedia.org

  The G. Prout & Sons business is recorded as having been dissolved.

• 2001

  Prout Catamarans enters administration

  [1]G. Prout & Sonsen.wikipedia.org

  Prout Catamarans changed its name to 199 AB Limited and entered administration.

• 1989

  Corporate name changed to Prout Holdings Ltd

  [1]G. Prout & Sonsen.wikipedia.org

  G. Prout & Sons Ltd was renamed Prout Holdings Ltd.

• 1975

  Prout Catamarans established

  [1]G. Prout & Sonsen.wikipedia.org

  Francis and Roland Prout became directors of a new company, Prout Catamarans, while the family continued related production through G. Prout & Sons Ltd.

• 1952

  Francis and Roland Prout compete at the Helsinki Olympics

  [1]G. Prout & Sonsen.wikipedia.org

  The founder’s sons competed as canoeists at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games while also working in the family boating business.

• 1950

  Shearwater catamaran development begins

  [1]G. Prout & Sonsen.wikipedia.org

  The Prout brothers developed the Shearwater I after experimenting with a kayak-based sailing multihull, followed by the Shearwater III.

• 1935

  Company founded

  [1]G. Prout & Sonsen.wikipedia.org

  Geoffrey Prout founded G. Prout & Sons in Canvey Island, Essex, following a January patent for a folding boat.

A specialist British boatbuilder combining portable folding craft with innovative production sailing catamarans and practical cruising multihulls.

• Small sailing catamaran

  Shearwater I

  The Shearwater I was the first major sailing catamaran developed by Francis and Roland Prout after their experiments with two joined K1 kayaks, a bamboo platform, and a simple sail. The design was tested in local regattas and helped establish the company’s transition from folding and conventional small boats into commercially developed multihulls.

• Production sailing catamaran

  Shearwater III

  The Shearwater III followed the Shearwater I and became the most historically prominent of the early Prout catamarans. The National Maritime Museum describes it as the first production catamaran in the world, associating the model with the emergence of commercially manufactured sailing multihulls.

• Folding sailing dinghy

  Seabird

  The 10-foot Seabird was a folding daggerboard dinghy designed for sailing, rowing, and outboard use. It had a stated sail area of 40 square feet and was supplied with its sail and associated gear, while oars were additional. A spray deck and trolley were among the available accessories.

• Folding sailing dinghy

  Seaswallow

  The 8-foot-6-inch Seaswallow was a compact folding daggerboard dinghy capable of sailing, rowing, or outboard propulsion. It used a 40-square-foot sail plan and was sold with sail and standard equipment, with oars available separately. A trolley could be used for moving the boat on land.

• Folding sailing dinghy

  Seasprite

  The 7-foot-6-inch Seasprite was the smallest of the named folding sailing dinghies in the cited range. It was designed for sailing, rowing, and outboard use and could be paired with a trolley. Its compact format suited owners needing a portable tender or small recreational sailing boat.

• Cruising catamaran

  Prout cruising catamarans

  Prout developed a broad family of larger cruising catamarans. Their characteristic rig used a large genoa, a smaller mainsail, and a relatively aft mast position. This arrangement reflected the builder’s emphasis on downwind and broad-reaching performance and became a recognizable feature of its cruising multihull designs.

• Folding rowing dinghy

  Scoprel

  The Scoprel was a 6-foot folding rowing dinghy in the company’s small tender range. It formed part of the non-sailing boat offerings alongside the 7-foot-6-inch Yacht Dinghy and the 5-foot Rowing Coracle.

• 2020

  Winding-up of Prout Holdings LtdOther

  Background

  The remaining corporate entity associated with the former G. Prout & Sons business was subject to a formal winding-up process.

  Action taken

  A decision dated 22 April 2020 ordered the winding-up of the company and appointed a liquidator.

  Aftermath

  The proceeding confirmed the end of the company’s existence as an operating boatbuilder.

  Source

• 2001

  Prout Catamarans renamed and placed into administrationOther

  Background

  The separate catamaran business underwent a corporate restructuring during a period of financial distress.

  Action taken

  Prout Catamarans changed its name to 199 AB Limited and entered administration.

  Aftermath

  The administration marked a major breakdown in the corporate structure associated with the Prout catamaran business.

  Source

• 1989

  Renaming as Prout Holdings LtdStrategy

  Background

  The company reorganized its corporate identity after decades of boatbuilding and expansion into several product categories.

  Action taken

  G. Prout & Sons Ltd was renamed Prout Holdings Ltd.

  Aftermath

  The original trading identity became part of a later corporate history that included dissolution and a subsequent winding-up process.

  Source

• 1975

  Creation of a separate Prout Catamarans companyStrategy

  Background

  The family’s catamaran activity had grown beyond the original folding-boat business and required a distinct corporate structure.

  Action taken

  Francis and Roland Prout became directors of Prout Catamarans, while the next generation continued related manufacture through G. Prout & Sons Ltd.

  Aftermath

  The Prout name continued through multiple related corporate entities, but the separate catamaran company later changed its name and entered administration.

  Source

• 1950

  Development of the Shearwater catamaransProduct launch

  Background

  The Prout brothers’ experiments with joined kayaks demonstrated the potential of a small sailing multihull and encouraged the company to develop a purpose-built catamaran.

  Action taken

  The company developed the Shearwater I and subsequently the Shearwater III for testing and production.

  Aftermath

  The project helped move G. Prout & Sons into production sailing catamarans and contributed to the company’s later expansion into cruising multihulls.

  Source

1. 1G. Prout & Sonsen.wikipedia.org