Were they motor boats? Yes
When were they in service? (Years): First in service 1935, last withdrawn in 1966 but most had a short station life.
How many were in service? There were nine:
ON.779 "Rosabella" Ilfracombe 1935-1945, sent to the Dutch Lifeboat service, the KNZHRM in 1945 and stationed at Terschelling, Holland, 1946-55. She is now an open hull at Aalsmeer, Netherlands. The only 32ft Surf with twin screw props.
ON.780 "Royal Silver Jubilee 1910-1935", Wells 1935-1945, sent to the Dutch Lifeboat service, KNZHRM, 1945, re-named "Rosilee" and stationed at Vlieland, Holland, 1946-59. Hotchkiss cones propulsion (like all other Surfs except 779 and 816)
ON.810 "Augustus & Laura" Newbiggin 1938-1950. She was almost certainly the fishing boat, "Jamie Boy" at Cockenzie until scuttled off there about 2003. She was not, as has been erroneously reported, the fishing boat Betsy Lyn at Ouseburn, Newcastle - Betsy Lyn was a Rubie Self-Righter.
ON.811 "Thomas Kirk Wright" Poole 1939-1962. Sold to become a pleasure boat but the RNLI reacquired her in a swap for Liverpool class ON.918 "The Elliott Gill" in 1974. Now preserved at the lifeboat museum in the old Poole lifeboat house.
ON. 816 "Kate Greatorex", powered by water jets, Minehead 1939-1951. As mentioned above, at Migennes for restoration, after being moved from Sens.
ON. 817 "Lawrence Ardern, Stockport", Barmouth 1939-49, Reserve 1949-1951. Became a trip boat at Saundersfoot in the 1970s, not seen since then.
ON. 835 "The Gordon Warren", Rhyl 1939-1949, Reserve 1949-1951. Now a fishing boat "Welsh Maid" at Conway.
ON. 836 "Norman Nasmyth", at Montrose No. 2 1940 - 1950 and Reserve 1950-1966. Seen as the yacht "Montrose" at Lamlash, Arran, 1986.
ON.837 "John Ryburn", at Newburgh 1941 - 1965. Believed to have been used as a flower planter at Manor House Hotel, Enniskillen, until destroyed in 2009. Bloody shame.
Are any preserved? 811 preserved, 816 (hopefully) to be preserved. There is no Surf class at Chatham museum.
Were they any use?(In your opinion). Matter of opinion; most were quickly replaced as station boats by Liverpools but Newburgh and Poole had longer service lives. Pretty ideal for use in Poole Harbour, I should think.