In the 1920s and 1930s, when boats and motor car bodies were often hand-built, private yacht designs frequently drew inspiration from ships' tenders and lifeboats. The Gay Venture, a 45-foot Watercraft cruiser, was constructed for former Brooklands racing driver Douglas Briault, who transitioned to the more leisurely pursuit of yachting and desired a vessel suitable as a floating home.

The design of Gay Venture was based on the hull of a naval pinnace. She was rigged as a ketch, with two short masts carrying a total of 267 square feet of sail. Despite her 2-ton iron keel, the vessel had a shallow draft of only 4 feet, which limited her windward performance. More notable were her below-deck machinery: two 58 hp, 6-cylinder Gray engines with reduction gears, enabling a cruising speed of 9 knots at three-quarters power. The engine room, located beneath the bridge deck, was well insulated with asbestos and perforated zinc to ensure near-silent operation.

Gay Venture was the largest boat ever built by Watercraft at Molesey. Her 12-foot beam, wide for the era, allowed for a comfortable interior layout. Forward of the bridge, one descended into the state room, which led to a bathroom. Behind the wheelhouse was a large saloon with access to a spacious galley. The vessel was designed for two occupants; any professional crew would have had to sleep on the settee in the wheelhouse.

The Briault family intended Gay Venture as a floating home, initially moored at Bosham near Chichester on the south coast, with plans to cruise the French canals from Brittany and the Garonne to the Mediterranean Riviera. To accommodate the British climate, the yacht was equipped with a coal-fired stove and central heating system. This heating system may have been the cause of a serious fire, reportedly started accidentally by troops returning from Dunkirk. Nevertheless, the solidly built hull, constructed of 1-inch pitch pine planks on oak framing and teak decks with grooved pine, survived. The low, well-proportioned wheelhouse was made of teak, while the panelling and floors of the saloon and state room were of American oak. The vessel cost her first owner £2,100 in August 1938.

The Briaults were proud of Gay Venture and sold their home to finance her purchase. However, only a year after her launch on the Thames, the outbreak of World War II led to her requisition as His Majesty's Yacht Gay Venture, serving as a Royal Navy patrol ship in the Thames Estuary and flying the White Ensign. Douglas Briault joined the Royal Navy and, three years later, participated in the raid on St Nazaire as skipper of a naval mine-laying craft. Records indicate that Briault survived the operation.

By around 1965, Gay Venture was owned by Don and Joan Waddleton for 25 years, during which they lived aboard for fifteen years and cruised extensively. In 1990, the Waddletons sold the vessel to Heather Dinler, who at 19 years old was likely the youngest owner to date. Heather had spent her youth cruising the Thames in the 1990s and attending official Association events, with Gay Venture moored at Tough’s Boatyard in Teddington, a site historically significant for requisitioning boats for the Navy.

By 2004, due to work commitments abroad and family matters, Heather’s father was unable to maintain Gay Venture. The vessel was located at Turk’s Yard in Sunbury, which was closing due to redevelopment. At this time, Gay Venture was in very poor condition, with a 6-foot by 8-foot hole in her aft starboard side, leaking decks with multiple holes, rotten cabin roofs, and a largely nonexistent interior aside from a few surviving elements. Her future appeared bleak.

Heather, who held a deep appreciation for the Association and a strong affection for the family boat, decided to restore Gay Venture. While still studying fashion at college, she completed her school year and worked as a lock keeper at St Katherine’s Dock in London. With financial support from her mother and an inheritance from her grandmother, she engaged Michael Dennett Boat Builders in Chertsey to begin the extensive restoration.

The initial restoration goal was to make the vessel externally watertight, with interior work to follow. Despite sitting idle for nearly five years, Gay Venture’s engines surprisingly started after some tinkering by Stephen Dennett and his team in March 2004, allowing her to be moved upriver to Chertsey. Over the course of a year, new decks, hull planking, coach roofs, and extensive painting and varnishing were completed.

In May 2005, Gay Venture made her first return to Dunkirk with the fleet since 1985, the year Heather was born. Although her interior remained sparse and she retained her original engines—BMCs with mismatched old tractor gearboxes—the vessel completed the journey under her own power despite numerous mechanical issues. The Association provided significant support throughout the voyage.

During the restoration, the professional relationship between Stephen Dennett and Heather evolved into a romantic one. By the 2010 return to Dunkirk, Gay Venture had been fitted with new engines—two 85 hp Nanni diesels—and featured a more complete interior. Heather and Stephen were engaged to be married in September 2010; Stephen proposed aboard Gay Venture, continuing a tradition of proposals on the vessel, including one by David Knight, son of founding member John Knight.

Following the 2015 return, Heather was contacted by Nick Carter, whose late father had served in command of Gay Venture after her return from Dunkirk in July 1940. Among his personal effects were war journals detailing his Royal Navy service aboard the armed yacht.

• Frank Herbert Carter joined the Royal Navy in May 1940 and was released in March 1946 as a Lieutenant Commander.
• He was assigned to the Naval Patrol base at Lowestoft and quickly promoted from Ordinary Seaman to Petty Officer – Second Hand.
• Following France’s surrender in June 1940, Carter was sent to Ramsgate and then Brightlingsea to conduct anti-invasion patrols in the Thames Estuary aboard Gay Venture.
• The vessel’s armament included a Boer War low-angle 3-pounder gun, two strip Lewis guns, two rifles, and hand grenades.
• On September 16, 1940, Carter’s crew was warned of an imminent invasion that fortunately never occurred.
• Gay Venture was later tasked with liaising with a commando unit on the River Crouch, which included Randolph Churchill, son of the Prime Minister.
• During this period, the Battle of Britain commenced, with daily Luftwaffe raids over London.

Gay Venture remains under the ownership of Heather Dennett, who, with Stephen and their three sons, continues to maintain the vessel. Heather and Stephen operate Dennett Boatbuilders, responsible for many restorations of Dunkirk Little Ships. Heather specializes in the interior design of traditional yachts and serves as an active committee member of the Association.

Gay Venture is not only a vessel of historical significance but also one with strong personal connections for those who have sailed aboard her.