The Moonfleet Marine Mouldings Company was, I believe, building small craft in GRP (Glass Re-inforced Resin or simply glass fibre to you and me!) at Penarth Dock from the 1950's until the company was dissolved in 1973. The company was 'Struck off the Register' pursuant to section 353 of the Companies Act, 1948 according to the London Gazette of the 19th April 1973. [100]

I found reference to a boat sale for a Moonfleet Marine 'Conquest' which had been restored by the makers and was described as a speed/ski boat. She was built in 1959 at Penarth and equipped with a Ford inboard petrol engine the boat being 4.15 m in length and 1.52 m wide. Sounds like a fun boat to me!

Another model, the 'Aquila' was also made at Penarth and I found a sale notice for one built in 1960 complete with a Sunbeam Alpine petrol engine of 1592 cc which produced 85 hp and gave the boat a max speed of 35 knots. At just under 5 m in length and 1.5 m wide she was designed to 'plane' over the water. I bet it didn't plane too well in the Channel with a good southwesterly blowing!

A friend of the website, Mr. Ian Griffin, sent information about the company and its products. The brochure above is for the 'Aquila' model and shows the company address at Penarth Dock. Many thanks to Ian for his contribution to our story. [380] [381]

Did anyone work at the Moonfleet factory and/or could add more about their activities? If so, please do not hesitate to make contact.