You are on page 1of 100

Classic Boat

MAY 2015 4.75 US$13.75

T H E W O R L D S M O S T B E A U T I F U L B O A T S

THE YEARS

Best
BOATS
Our 2015 Awards

Caribbean calling
Antigua & St Barths
Back to Dunkirk Tree to Sea
The Little Ships return 25ft junk rigger
www.classicboat.co.uk
THAMES BAWLEYS NORMANDYS OVERLOOKED GEM DESIGN OFFICE VISIT 05

A potted history Destination Cherbourg Stephens Waring 9 770950 331141


Classic Yachts for
Sale & Charter
NICHOLSON
WORLDWIDE yachts
HA 0 E
RT ,000
C 25 L
R 3, SA

ER
O S $ OR
U F

EROS 115 William McMeek Schooner, built for an English lord in EMILY MORGAN Bowman 57 built at Southampton Yachts 1982.
1939, restored to museum quality in 2010. Sleeps 8 in 4 cabins. Thoroughbred, rigged for world cruising; 8 in 4 cabins.
For sale or charter New England or anywhere! For charter England, British Isles, ARC & Caribbean.

BONAPARTE 70 Sparkman & Stephens launched 1964. Fully restored BONNIE LYNN 72 custom schooner built for charter in 1998,
& updated. Bahamas charters year round with water toys for all! impeccably maintained. Sleeps 6 in 3 cabins excellent for families.
Sleeps 6 in 3 cabins. Available for summer US East Coast & Maine.
E

HA ,0 E
RT illion

RT 00
C m L

C 50 L
R 1.3 SA

R 2 SA
ER

ER

FIONA ROIS 45
O S $ OR

O US $ OR

SINCERITY 95
HA

1983 Cape Dory,


U F

Baglietto ketch for sale or charter


launched 1928. excellent condition.
Sleeps 4 in 3 cabins. Sleeps 4 in 2 cabins.
Available for summer For sale or summer
2015 charter in US charter in New
Greenland England.

The Finest Yachts in the Finest Cruising Grounds making dreams come true since 1949
Nicholson Yachts Worldwide Charter Yacht Vacations - Yacht Sales - Yacht Management
www.nicholsonyachts.com
T. US 001.401.849.0344 F. US 001. 401.849.9018 Email: info@nicholsonyachts.com
New England | Caribbean | Mediterranean | Adriatic | Baltic | Indian Ocean | Pacific | Alaska
CRAFTSMANSHIP

Contents CRAFTSMANSHIP

MAY 2015 N323


FEATURES
6

COVER: TIM WRIGHT


6 . PAPA 1
The third Nigel Irens schooner for
Covey Island Boatworks

COVER STORY
14 . ANTIGUA
We take a look at the must-do
classic regatta in the Caribbean

COVER STORY
24 . ST BARTHS BUCKET
Spirit-of-Tradition frolics
TIM WRIGHT

36
WINNERS
PAGE 28

36 . TREE TO SEA
24
TIM WRIGHT

A 25-footer built in carvel from a


forest in Shropshire

48
NICOLA PROCTOR

COVER STORY
48 . DUNKIRK RETURN REGULARS
18 . TELL TALES
A preview and fleet review of this 45 . SALEROOM
years commemorative voyage 46 . OBJECTS OF DESIRE
95 . LOOKING AHEAD
54 . VICTORY CLASS 96 . LETTERS
EMILY HARRIS

Racing in the great Portsmouth 98 . STERNPOST


keelboat class ONBOARD
67 . NEW CLASSICS
58 . CHERBOURG 68 . LAZARETTE
Reasons why you might like this 69 . BOOKS AND SUNDOWNERS
overlooked Normandy gem 71 . CLASS NOTES
73 . GETTING AFLOAT
82 . STEPHENS WARING

58
CRAFTSMANSHIP
We visit the Spirit of Tradition 80 . YARD NEWS
FABIO NODARI

naval architects in Maine with an 87 . BOATBUILDERS NOTES


eye for a classic line 91 . ADRIAN MORGAN

For the latest news or to browse classic boats for sale please visit classicboat.co.uk

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 3


TC 85 VELACARINA

Hoek Design - Claasen Shipyards - 2004 - Aluminium - LOA: 25.70m - Beam: 5.70m Draft: 3.00m
This stunning Truly Classic was built to the highest specifications, with full carbon masts and booms, main and head sails on furling systems,
hydraulic winches, bow and stern thrusters and a fold down transom with bathing platform, etc.. Comfortably sleeping 6 guests plus 2 crew.
Asking price Euro 3.250.000 VAT paid.

Please contact Pieter van der Weide T +31 (0) 299 315 506 info@hoekbrokerage.com www.hoekbrokerage.com
As she was: Britannia
at Son in Norway

SIGURD COATES

FROM DAN HOUSTON, EDITOR


classicboat.co.uk
Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London, SW3 3TQ
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor Dan Houston
+44 (0)207 349 3755
A surreal moment in the Sube
cb@classicboat.co.uk We all know that restoration can be as emotionally tiring as it can be
Deputy Editor Steffan Meyric Hughes
+44 (0)207 349 3758 financially draining and that taking on an old boat to restore is going
steffan@classicboat.co.uk
Senior Art Editor Peter Smith to be a difficult thing to achieve. Much better, many say, to build a
+44 (0)207 349 3756
peter.smith@classicboat.co.uk replica alongside, dont fret about what to keep or throw away, and
Senior Sub Editor Henry Giles
+44 (0)207 349 3708 grave in a few token pieces from the original to make sure you dont
henry.giles@classicboat.co.uk
have to pay VAT. But sometimes alas, that process too can be fraught
Contributing Editor Peter Willis
peter.willis@classicboat.co.uk with difficulty, especially if it ends like the replication of Britannia.
Technical Editor Theo Rye
Publishing Consultant Martin Nott Regular readers will remember our occasional and probably wide-eyed reports on how
Proofing Vanessa Bird
she was built in Archangel, northern Russia, from 1993 to a launch and tow around the
ADVERTISING
Advertisement Manager North Cape to Son in Norway in 2009. There her champion Sigurd Coates ran out of
Edward Mannering +44 (0)207 349 3747
edward.mannering@chelseamagazines.com steam (fiscally) and let it be known he would sell her or take a partner, for around 1m.
Advertisement Production
Allpointsmedia +44 (0)1202 472781
allpointsmedia.co.uk
I must confess that when I met the new owner in 2011, I had a double-take. I was
Published Monthly ISSN: 0950 3315 invited to meet Scott Ward at the Sube bar at St Tropez which is a good place to have a
USA US$12.50 Canada C$11.95 Australia A$11.95
Subscribe now: +44 (0)1795 419840 friendly meeting but when he walked in I thought Id happened upon the film set of a
classicboat@servicehelpline.co.uk
http://classicboat.subscribeonline.co.uk Robert Palmer video. Behind him traipsed in a bevy of young beauties toting their ipads
Subscriptions manager William Delmont
+44 (0)207 349 3710 will.delmont@chelseamagazines.com for all the world looking like slightly dressed-down extras from that song Addicted to
Subscriptions Department
800 Guillat Avenue, Kent Science Park,
Love. While they draped themselves across the leather sofas and tapped their screen he
Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8GU
Managing Director Paul Dobson
YACHTS
YACHTING told us of this charitys plan to finish the Britannia
M A R A bevy of beauties project... bringing her to Cowes.
Deputy Managing Director Steve Ross
Commercial Director Vicki Gavin CHELSEA CHELSEA
M ARINE INE
Publisher Simon Temlett
draped across the Was it too good to be true? If Im honest it kind of
MAGAZINES MAGAZINES

Digital Manager Oliver Morley-Norris

felt that way, even then. But the boat was towed from
The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd
Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London, SW3 3TQ
+44 (0)207 349 3700 chelseamagazines.com
leather sofas Norway, placed in full view at Venture Quays and
Copyright The Chelsea Magazine Company
2015 all rights reserved then unceremoniously stripped by the team behind the multi million restoration of
Lulworth. Then suddenly the tent was in tatters and rumours started to abound the
YACHTS
YACHTING

Follow the Classic Boat team CHELSEA project was stalling. Last year she was taken off to Hythe and now we hear the project
CHELSEA
on Twitter and Facebook M ARINE MARINE
wants to build in aluminium, but not with the experts at Claasen or Holland
MAGAZINES MAGAZINES

Classic Boat is part of the Chelsea Marine Magazines


family, along with our other monthly titles
i
Jachtbouw; in Miami, Fla... where they can get a good price.
Classic Boat
MAY 2015 4.75 US$13.75

Sigurd Coates has seen his life-dream dashed, the 65-ton lead keel he put in was sold to
SAILING TODAY
CLASSIC BOAT

GO FURTHER I SAIL BETTER I BE INSPIRED


MAY 2015 | ISSUE #1685

T H E W O R L D S M O S T B E A U T I F U L B O A T S

pay expenses some time ago and the Walsted craftsmens mahogany hatches he paid
MAY 2015 sailingtoday.co.uk 4.20
MAY 2015 . ISSUE No 323

4.30

THE YEARS BA YOURGULLS

Best
Issue #1685 | May 2015
CRUISING
MAY 2015 ISSUE N 217

Easy
yachtsandyachting.co.uk

R GU EY
05
SUMMER TRAVEL SPECIAL
POCE IDE E
9 770044 000205

RT L TO
VE O
LL N
A ESSENTIAL
BOATS Our 2015 Awards
Orient
Charter on Turkeys PLUS European Venue Guide
REGATTAS

85,000 for were removed with chainsaws because they should have been teak. Im very
ancient Carian coast
XXXX | XXXX | XXXX | XXXX

NEW BOAT TEST


Impression 35
PAPA 1 . LEAF OF BRISTOL . CHERBOURG . DUNKIRK LITTLE SHIPS

TURKEY DUTCH CANALS IMPRESSION 35 BARCELONA CLOTHING

Built in the Alps for


roomy cruising

disappointed, he told CB. I sold her for far less than I was asking on the promise I could
IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS INTERVIEW

VOLVO IAN
Caribbean calling
Antigua & St Barths INTERVIEW OCEAN WILLIAMS
On board with the
Back to Dunkirk Tree to Sea
Germn Frers
The superyacht designer RACE
Halfway stage report
Match Racing
World Champ
05

The Little Ships return 25ft junk rigger who prefers small boats
YACHTSANDYACHTING.CO.UK
9 771367 586100

sail her two weeks in the season. At the time our budget for getting her sailing was close to
www.classicboat.co.uk
GEOFF HOLT GOING DUTCH CLOTHING GUIDE SPRING TIME
THAMES BAWLEYS NORMANDYS OVERLOOKED GEM DESIGN OFFICE VISIT 05
Why sailors should rue Taking on Hollands Tomorrows trends Impress in the marina LUNA ROSSA LEEBOW TACK JOG RACING HUGH WELBOURNE
A potted history Destination Cherbourg Stephens Waring 9 770950 331141 Paralympics snub Standing Mast Route revealed today with our mooring tips
Latest Cup progress Step by step guide to Secrets to success from Cutting edge foil
from the Italian team perfect your technique coastal race winners technology uncovered
CB323 Cover MAY.indd 1 23/03/2015 18:46
ST217_001_Cover.indd 1 17/03/2015 18:18

For traditional For adventurous For competitive


boat enthusiasts cruising sailors sailors
1m, for a mast and systems. I still hope they succeed but I think they were too ambitious.
To subscribe, go to chelseamagazines.com/marine
While we also remain hopeful its hard to disagree.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 5


Flaunting
TRADITION
Inspired by worlds seventh best boat Marguerite T,
the 56ft Nova Scotian Papa 1 is an Irens/Steele melding
of the formers Pilot Cutter lines with a schooner rig
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS JANET HEIN
PAPA 1

V
Clockwise from essels clustered by design and rig filled lasting three years, was followed by a sharing of the
top: Papa 1 detail the docks for Antiguas 2014 Classic boat, one year sailing with partner Michael Scrim
including down Regatta. Colourful sloops took their Strzalkowski, the next with Steele.
below; the place at Carriacou Corner, nine Spirit Marguerite T, said to be one of the seven best sailing
tomato-drying boats neighboured out with the big vessels in the world, stole the show under the helm of
windows; stern; girls and in between moored an Steele at Antiguas Classic Regatta, sweeping up prizes in
dolphin handrail eclectic, impressive collection of schooners. Among them 1999. Steele sailed her on, to Bermuda, the Azores,
was one Alden, two Herreshoffs, a couple of beauties Ireland and finally to England where, for the first time in
from the yard of Gannon & Benjamin and numerous 85 years, she joined her fleet, taking part in the annual
custom designs displaying high-spirited personality both Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters Association Regatta with
on and off the water. her original builder on board. And, of course, she won
One eye-pleasing schooner, presenting her tranquil that, too. Steele continued the voyage, sailing on to
green, gold-leafed stern to spectators was Papa 1, Cowes where Marguerite T met her new family.
flaunting Nova Scotian heritage and tradition. The boats Having all that sea time with Marguerite T convinced
elaborate back story began years ago, when the Bristol Steele of her perfection; fast, comfortable, steady and she
Channel Pilot Cutter, Marguerite T, sailed into can easily be sailed with few hands. And so, he
Lunenburg and the life of boat builder, John Steele. announced, Lets build another one.
Steele, founder of Covey Island Boatworks, was He took the lines to designer Nigel Irens, requesting
convinced by a cast of characters to take on the rebuild modifications that would bring together the elements of
of the centenarian boat, and in the process became a two distinct styles. In short, he asked, Massage the hull
partner in her restoration and ownership. The project, to go with a schooner rig. Steele wanted to design all

8 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


aspects above the waterline and he wanted to get it just Above: Building
right. Ted Brewer was brought in to tutor him on all Papa 1, to the
elements from the deck up. It was, Steele explained, instruction:
my education of designing a schooner rig. Massage the hull
The project began in earnest in the spring of 2000 to go with a
when an entire aircraft hanger located in Shearwater, schooner rig;
Nova Scotia, was salvaged for its 30,000 board feet of Left: at anchor
old Douglas Fir, most of which went into Papa 1s
planking and frames, perfect material for a wood and
epoxy composite. Steele, who had been using reclaimed
timber for other Covey Island Boatworks projects and
was always on the hunt for perfect timber, next spotted
an ad in the paper for clear hardwood; maple, ash and
oak. A knowing logger had sawn, stickered and stored
the wood for 10-15 years in barns; exemplary wood that
found its way into what is now a strikingly elegant
interior. Local Black Locust was chosen for the cockpit
and skylights. Clear pine, smuggled from Halifax
dockyards decades before went into the cabin soles.
Boatbuilding and fishing has long been a family affair
in Nova Scotia so in the true style of Papa 1s birthplace,

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 9


Above: a rich mix Steele began by recruiting his son Dorian to assist in the
of form and build which took place at the family home. Dorians
function. Right: specialty was building the blocks, spars, standing and
John Steele heads running rigging. Daughter Lucy did much of the finish
for the start line work and daughter Zoe, who studied marine technology,
created all the plumbing and engine systems. Steele, busy
at Covey Island Boatworks, worked evenings and
weekends on the boat while his offspring helped her
come to life during the day. Family friend Reese Baird
was instrumental through the entire build.
Putting together a 56ft (17m) vessel requires some luck
in locating all the necessary parts and gear, especially for
a treasure hunter like Steele. A fair bit came from Tree
of Life, he said, alluding to a 70ft schooner, one of
Covey Island Boatworks premier builds. Dorian was
running her at time; she was in for a refit; the owner
wanted to replace anything that worked. The old stuff,
finely tuned and polished, made its way to Papa 1.
Self-tailing jib winches were procured from a Bermuda
salvage; her wheel came from John Gardner. One of the
most unusual amenities on Papa 1 came about because

10 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


PAPA 1

of a scallop-shaped, gilded sink on Marguerite T. She Clockwise from top positioned; cabinetry throughout the vessel, artistically
had a magnificent head, Steele recalled with a smile. It left: the tiled tree shaped, ventilated and adorned with old-school
became a bit of a joke how were we going to top and bathroom; hardware. Steeles favourite space is what they call the
that? He pondered options but not for long. In his cabinetry in the library, a spacious living area amidships where, during
basement, stored for years, was an antique, cast iron vessel; perfectly far north winters, they hunker down to read next to the
mini-tub saved from a Bridgewater, NS, hotel. His team polished wood; wood heater. The total package is an inimitable
installed it, plumbed in such a way that the cast iron tub favourite space, combination of homey comfort and nautical splendour.
radiates heat, then adorned it with a wall of tile bordered the library Launch day for this grand lady came in 2005 when
above with the spreading arms of a shade tree. When she ceremoniously slipped from Steeles yard into the sea.
asked about the significance, Steele responded, Theres She was then moved to a dock by the LaHave River
one sure way to cure seasickness sit under a tree. Bakery for a few seasons of rigging and finishing work.
There are countless definitive features on Papa 1 Each mast began as a hollow box built of West Coast
including two greenhouse-style windows that open into spruce, faired round above the hounds, then clad in
the cockpit, held in place with a slotted piece of wood. epoxy. Below, a one-inch-thick veneer of clear,
The idea (solid Steele genius) was to provide ventilation vertical-grain Douglas Fir was laminated on, shaped to
in the tropics but, he laughed, We joke that theyre for round, and coated with an oil finish. The entire process
ripening tomatoes. produced spars befitting a gaffer; sheathed and painted
Papa 1 is a rich mix of form and function; tucked above the hounds, traditionally oiled below.
throughout are eye-catching features: the mammal heads Papa 1 is powered by what Steele calls, Jenkins my
that begin and end the cap rail; the comfortably crafted favourite crew member who has never let me down. Its
galley, each piece of wood perfectly polished and a slow-turning, naturally-aspirated, Perkins 4-236, that

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 11


PAPA 1

PAPA 1
LOA
56ft (17m)
LWL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
46ft 7in (14.2m)
BEAM
13ft 6in (4.1m)
DRAUGHT
7ft 8in (2.3m)
SAIL AREA
1,750sqft (161m2)
DISPLACEMENT
77,784lbs

moves the boat efficiently with an assist from a Max Prop. the gentlemens rules; he likes to win but more than that,
Finally, she was dressed in Dacron and set loose to he enjoys a great sail. During the 2014 Antigua Classic
romp the bay for a validating sail for Steele and his team. Regatta, with steady winds of 25-30 knots, blown sails
Their goal, of marrying together a perfect hull with the and broken gear were the talk of the harbour but none
schooner rig, exceeded all expectations and every sail of that drama unfolded on Papa 1.
since the first has been an acknowledgment to the design. Her crew experienced a few waves over the bow;
Her 42 tons allow for effortless, graceful movement little spilled in over the gunnels. She charged around
through seas. When the boat comes about, she does so, the course, holding her own each race with the main,
steady and confident, without hesitation or antics. fore, staysail and just one of two jibs; the three
Top, left to right: She hadnt been sailing her local waters long when an topsails had the week off.
Marguerite T; art director called, inviting Papa 1 to star in the Tom Papa 1 can easily keep a large crew busy but Steele
Papa 1 ready for Selleck movie, Sea Change. At the time, she was painted rigged her to sail short handed which he and his wife
fitting; newly out white trimmed with a papayas orange and green hues. Mady do routinely in Nova Scotia, the Caribbean and
of the shed. Steeles offspring felt the colours were too girly so the waters in between. Jib and main sheets lead to the
Above: Papa 1 when the movie man said, Youve got the job but youll cockpit to highly efficient winches, all within easy reach.
featured in the need to repaint the boat, they scored a victory. Brown For a relatively new boat, she carries an old soul,
movie Sea Change paint covered the bright while Papa 1 served as home for evident in every aspect from bow to stern; perhaps
the bad guy in the movie. After the project, she was passed down from the legendary Bristol Channel Pilot
painted again, a toned down version of her tropical self. Cutter or a bit of Lunenburg lore built into her. But
Her brush with fame did not end there. She was hired more likely, her timeless spirit comes from Steeles
again by Hollywood as a crew-bonding platform for the expertise of crafting dozens and dozens of traditional
William Hurt version of Moby Dick. vessels. Papa 1 has allowed Steele to experience all that
Two years running she was invited to participate in he enjoys. I love sailing, he acknowledged. I
the Halifax Tall Ships race. Another invite took her to certainly enjoy living aboard but I really love designing,
the PEI Around the Island Tall Ships Race where she building; the process. I didnt do it for the purpose of
sailed with the Pride of Baltimore and other beauties. something like a trip. I did it to build the boat.
Steele enjoys testing his boat in races but adheres to And what a boat he built.

12 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


CRAFTED IN
NELSONS COUNTY

The Norfolk range, by Neil Many of our little boats return home
Thompson Boats, hails from the to the north Norfolk coast each
same county as Nelson. And winter for a check up and some
like our great naval commander, TLC, which is just one of the after-
these little boats have stature sales services were pleased to
beyond their size. offer our customers.

With their traditional gaff rigs and To find out more about our
woody finish, they regularly cruise exceptional craftsmanship, sail on
as far as Holland, Biscay and over to
beyond. Painstakingly hand-built, www.neilthompsonboats.co.uk or
one at a time, the range runs to call +44 (0)1263 741172
delightfully sea-worthy sailing and
motor craft that embody the spirit
and verve of the Norfolk coast and
its proud sailing traditions.

NeilThompsonBoats
Antigua
Season
opener
The great Antigua Classic is set to give
an April kick-start to the northern season
STORY JANET HEIN PHOTOGRAPHS ANTHONY MORRIS
TIM WRIGHT

E
Top to bottom: ach year, Antiguas Classic Regatta
a Spirit showcases dozens of the worlds most
Deckhouse 60 elegant yachts. Some, like Old Bob and
at the marina Lone Fox come back annually for repeat
off Antigua YC; performances, much to the delight of the
Nazgul, a Spirit watching crowd. And each year there are
76; and newcomers, flaunting pedigree and elegance spanning
Whitehawk, a over a century of sass and styles.
105ft (32m) Occasionally a family of vessels sails in like the
Bruce King Carriacou sloops, or the Js, there to race the fleet and
ketch, one another. In 2014, the Spirit Yachts numbered nine,
cold-moulded in ranging from 42ft-76ft (12.8-23.2m). With the perfect
1978, inspired blend of tradition and high-speed performance they were
by L Francis fast, formal and finely faceted with hand-crafted details.
A Spirit 52 in the Herreshoffs The Spirit fleet took top honours in the Concours
Antiguan swell. 1936 yacht dElegance and on the water, they racked-up even more
Last year, nine Toconderoga prizes. Nazgul of Fordell earned the coveted Mount Gay
Spirit Yachts raced Trophy, winner of the most competitive class.
in their own class
To see more pictures of Antigua classics visit classicboat.co.uk
COVEY ISLAND BOATWORKS
custom yachts for the world since 1979

902.640.3064 www.coveyisland.com

Tim Wright

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

BUY BRITISH, BUY QUALITY, ARE YOU

BUY Jeckells SAILS READY FOR THE


NEW SEASON?
CALL US ON
Weve been making sails since 1832, so nobody knows more about sail design and production.
We offer exceptional quality and service at an affordable price. 01603
782223

YEAR
CRUISING SAIL T: +44(0)1603 782223 E: sails@jeckells.co.uk W: jeckells.co.uk
GUARANTEE Jeckells of Wroxham Ltd, The Sail Loft, Station Road, Wroxham NR12 8UT

16 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


Logbook Out and about

1 2 3

4 5 6 7

8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15

Salt and sparkle


CHARLIE NOON

1 The new Messums Gallery 2 Richard Buchanan collects the Lifetime Achievement
award for his late father, Alan 3 Person of the year, Nat Wilson of IBTC 4 Sue
The new Messums Gallery, still on Londons famous Cork Street, was breath- Hardwick and Johnny Caulcutt (Mariquita) 5 The awards, made by Astins
taking on the evening of 12 March; its walls hung with the art of East Coast 6 Leonardo Bortolami (restorer) and Nerina Seligardi (owner) winners of the
boatbuilder-painter James Dodds. Jamie was on hand with CB editor Dan Restoration under 40ft award for the Dragon Acanto 7 Nigel Stuart, MD of Spirit
Houston, to give out the 14 awards seven voted and seven judged (see p34). Yachts, collects the Spirit of Tradition over 40ft award from James Dodds 8 Spirit
The evening was, like all CB bashes, a balance of seriousness and frivolity, of Tradition under 40ft went to GRP Solent Sunbeams, instigated by Alan Stannah
celebration and irreverence. Some very authentic souls and a few more (holding the award) and Roger Wickens (holding the certificate) 9 Colin Henwood
glamorous sorts brought a mixture of sea spray and sparkle to the evening. (left) and Simon McMurtrie of Lady Charlotte, winning Powerboat 10 Jim Horgan
Our favourite bon mot was from Galway-based Jim Horgan, winner of a and friends, winner of Traditional New Build for Droleen 11 Ken Wilkinson for Best
traditional boatbuilding prize for the second year in a row. With Droleen Restoration over 40ft (Kelpie of Falmouth) 12 Paul Spooner of Fairlie Yachts (left)
[12ft dinghy] you can be anywhere in Ireland in four hours. And anywhere with broker Barney Sandeman 13 Sarah Murray (left) and Nicola Dyer, Best
in Britain in 24. And I intend to be at them all. Boatyard for Underfall 14 Lawson Willard of Charles W Morgan, Living History
A huge thanks to all our sponsors for making it happen. award 15 Martin Black collects the John Leather award for Llewellyn Howland III.
SPONSORED BY

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 17


Tell Tales
Classic Boats address:
Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London, SW3 3TQ
For phone numbers, please see page 5

COWES

Britannia moves Stateside


A press release on 8 March adds yet or Endeavour is yours for a little even Britannia was outclassed by
another twist to the story of the under 20m). The yachts are now a 1935, her last season, where she
attempt to build a replica of far cry from the originals, sporting failed to win a single prize for the
Britannia, the Kings sailing yacht. all-carbon rigs, largely professional first time in her history.
Scott Ward and his team are now set crews and contesting highly charged In August 2014 a new initiative
to build a new aluminium hull in regattas in usually exotic locations. from the K1 Britannia team was
America. The team had originally Although Britannia was converted announced to raise 8m; they have
planned to finish off the yacht that from gaff to bermudan in 1931 to try also recently announced that they
was started in 1994 in Russia by and rate as a J under the Universal had established registered charities in
Norwegian Sigurd Coates. Rule, even after being generously the USA and now in the UK, the
Coates was unable to complete his measured she was still technically out object of which is: To advance the
dream and sold the hull in 2011. It of class; but being the Kings yacht education of the public in the
arrived under tow in Cowes in she was allowed to race. Built in historical, cultural or nautical
February 2012. Since then the team 1893 under an entirely different significance of any type of vessels
have been seeking funds. The original regime, it was remarkable that she which are of historical, educational
attempt to raise 500,000 (for could just about hold her own with or cultural importance.
interior design, systems and the likes of Astra and Shamrock V in It will be interesting to see how
engineering) via an internet crowd- the early 1930s (albeit with a little the plans for the new Britannia
funding exercise failed, and work help from the handicappers), but evolve in light of these aims.
faltered before the hull was taken to
Hythe in October 2013. There is no
word on the fate of that hull (mostly It's essential the hull is made from modern
pine with a GRP external sheathing). materials so that she will be able to compete
The recent press release claims it is
essential that the hull is made from against the other boats of her size/class
modern materials so that she will be
able to compete against the other
boats of her size/class; a reference
presumably to the J Class, of which
there are currently seven (with four
more planned). J Class owners tend
to be multi-millionaires (Rainbow, a
CB ARCHIVES

replica of the 1934 Starling Burgess


design, is on the market for 10.4m;

Partridge at 130
Partridge is one of the most beautiful and best loved yachts in
Partridge the world. The story (CB125) of how she was found in 1980 by
1885 19-year-old Alex Laird lying unrestored on the mudflats near
Tollesbury, Essex, and restored over 17 and a half years is a
legend of the yacht-restoration world. Its a bit harder now (but
still possible) to find great projects like this. In 1980, years
before the celebrated restorations such as Altair and Endeavour
had started, there were, on the East Coast, old hulls lying
around just waiting to be restored. And Alex had no idea of the
size of the project he had started.
She was drawn by J Beavor Webb as a gaff cutter, and
built by Camper & Nicholsons in 1885. She measures 49ft
2in (14.9m) plus bowsprit and boom overhang. Partridge
sailed again in 1998, and she still turns heads at regattas in
the Mediterranean today, as she celebrates 130 years. She is
DAN HOUSTON

fast too, adding the Rolex trophy for overall winner at


Saint-Tropez at the end of last year to her cabinet.

18 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


KITZBUHEL, AUSTRIA
Three awards for Andre Hoek
Leading Dutch naval architect Andre Hoek collected three awards at the
Showboats Design Awards on 25 February. The 151ft (46m) Pilot Classic
ketch Elfje won the Naval Architecture Award for Best Sailing Yacht, and the
156ft 6in (47.7m) Classic Wisp won the Exterior Design and Styling Award
and Interior Design Awards. Andre thanked the Royal Huisman yard and
interior designers Redman Whitely Dixon and Rhoades Young. Elfje also won
her class at St Barths Bucket, we learned as we went to press. See page 24.

CORY SILKEN CORY SILKEN

PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES MASSACHUSETTS, USA


No more boatbuilding at Mitec Onassiss Cat boat sold at auction
The recent news that Mitec, part of Pembrokeshire College, will Scallop, a wooden 12ft Beatle Cat dinghy commissioned in 1969 by Jacqueline
cease to offer boatbuilding as a subject, reached us in March. The Kennedy Onassis to teach her children John Jr and Caroline Kennedy to sail, sold for
colleges inability to take more students on is a result of Welsh $13,500 (9,000) at auction on 19 February, reports Barry Pickthall.
Government funding cuts. Those in the first year of the two-year Built in Massachusetts by Concordia Yachts, this dinghy, similar to ones the
course will be able to finish, but no new students will be able to join Kennedys used at their Hyannis Port home, was ordered after Jacquelines
the City and Guilds Level Three course. marriage to Aristotle Onassis, and shipped to the Mediterranean. It is number 1426.
Course instructor John Edginton told CB that this is a real loss, Peter Eastman of Howard Boats acquired Scallop in 2000, unaware of the
being one of the last government-funded boatbuilding courses in previous ownership. He says: Beatle Cats have traditionally had their names
Britain. Soon it will be impossible for young people to learn applied with cast bronze letters with screw holes unique to each letter. The name
boatbuilding without a lot of financial help from parents, he told was not on the boat but the
CB, referring to the expensive private courses run by the likes of screw holes were still in the
BBA in Lyme Regis and IBTC in Lowestoft and Portsmouth. transom and I was able to screw
The course took in a dozen or so students every year and the letters for Scallop. That was
C/O RR AUCTION

around 70 per cent went on to find jobs in the marine sector. Many the best part of her restoration.
of the rest, said John, found closely related jobs in fields like JFKs Star Yacht (TTs passim)
furniture and musical instrument making. Mitec graduates dont was withdrawn before the sale.
sit around on the dole, he assured CB.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 19


National Historic Ships UK

WIN
1Historic
National ,000 Ships
Photography P LUS
GoPro
CAMERA

Competition 2015
Upload your photos online for a chance to win
nationalhistoricships.org.uk
Competition Categories Category Prize: Two-year subscription to Classic Boat, plus your photograph published in
A. Historic Vessels on the National Register or National Archive of Historic Vessels
This category is for photos that feature all or part of a registered historic vessel, the magazine.
either on static display or in operational use, clearly identifiable by name or type. D. Faces of the Sea
See The Registers online at nationalhistoricships.org.uk for eligible vessels. This category is for maritime portraits and photographs of people ashore or
Category Prize: GoPro HERO4 camera, awarded by Portsmouth Naval Base afloat, which capture their passion for, and connection with, the sea.
Property Trust. Category Prize: 250 to be spent on wet-weather gear.

B. Traditional Maritime Skills in Action E. Your Local Historic Vessel or Seascape.


This category is for photos that plainly demonstrate a traditional maritime skill or Open to school children only, aged 4-18 years.

Photography
technique (eg, hands-on vessel maintenance, rigging, caulking, seamanship or Category Prize: an iPad for your school, awarded by Fat Beehive AND a visit to an historic
boatbuilding in the workplace/classroom). vessel for you and up to three family members, awarded by NHS-UK.
Category Prize: 250 to be spent on maritime training, equipment, tools, or educational Highly Commended Prize: A nautical print, awarded by Claudia Myatt.
material, awarded by the International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC Ltd).

Competition 2
OVERALL WINNER: National Historic Ships UKs Photographer 2015
C. Classic Boat Favourite: The Maritime Enthusiast One entrant will be chosen as overall winner from categories A-E and the winning photograph
This is a special category, judged by Classic Boat, for the best maritime photograph will be included in National Historic Ships UKs promotional material.
taken by an enthusiast. Entries may include maritime scenes, traditional or replica Overall Prize: A monetary prize of 1,000 to be awarded on a theme or activity involving an
vessels, close-ups of vessel parts, etc. historic vessel on the National Register of Historic Vessels, awarded by NHS-UK.
Highly Commended Prizes: Illustrated book The Anatomy of Sail, awarded by Adlard Coles

The Judges Calling


Competition photographers
Rules & Guidelines of all ages
Go down to the sea & shoot some w
How to enter: The competition opens on Wednesday 1 April 2015 and all entries must be
received by the closing deadline of midnight on Sunday 31 August 2015. To enter a

1,000 overall prize


photograph in any of the competition categories, you will need to complete an online entry
form and upload your images to the National Historic Ships UK competition web page,

Mary Scott Jock Wishart Peter Mumford Mark Dunkley Dan Houston Tracey Clarke Sam Willis
Upload your photos online for a chance t
available at: nationalhistoricships.org.uk. Entrants can submit up to two images
per category. For full rules, guidelines and entry forms, including details on shortlisting,
Maritime Polar explorer Beken of Cowes Council of Editor, Broadcaster Maritime judging and prizes, please visit nationalhistoricships.org.uk before submitting
Heritage marine Experts, Classic Boat historian and an image to this competition.
Enthusiast photography NHS-UK archaeologist
Photo: Category A, Highly Commended 2011, Maybird. Fastnet training by Mike Garlick

SUPPORTED BY

of CoWES
OGA
THE ASSOCIATION FOR GAFF RIG SAILING
OGA AdlArd Coles
THE ASSOCIATION FOR GAFF RIG SAILING

20 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


OGA
THE ASSOCIATION FOR GAFF RIG SAILING
OGA
THE ASSOCIATION FOR GAFF RIG SAILING
NEWS
NIC COMPTON

OLSO, NORWAY

Fiasco for Colin Archer rescue boat


P
lans to preserve the 1901 Colin which they could not afford. The preservation of the vessel is
Archer rescue boat Stavanger According to the museums critics, not abandoned, said Eyvind Bagle,
RS14 have stalled, reports Nic however, the figure has been inflated Below: a project to of the NMM, In the future, we hope
Compton. She was bought by the by including the cost of refurbishing restore Stavanger to create an exhibition for her outside,
Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue the entire Boat Hall, where she was combined with the and implement measures to restore
(NSSR) in 1997 in order to preserve to be exhibited, rather than just the museums financial the vessel. We still hope in the long
an authentic redningskyte for section needed for Stavanger. needs led to stall run we may be able to build a
posterity. Stavanger was then Meanwhile, the boat itself, which and damaging delay building for her on our premises.
considered the most original Colin had sailed 1,000 miles the year
Archer in existence. After a final before being handed over to the
farewell cruise around the coast of NMM, has suffered inevitable
Norway in 2009, she was lifted out shrinking and damage from being left
at the Norwegian Maritime Museum out in the elements for five years.
(NMM) in Oslo where an extension Were she to be relaunched now, she
was to be built to house her. would require a complete restoration
Instead, Stavanger remained which is ironic.
outside for the next five years, Stavanger is a special and unique
covered by a large tarpaulin, while reference for Norwegian maritime
her hull dried out. Plans to spray her culture, said former skipper Johan
with antifreeze (ethylenglycol) to Petersen. When we brought her to
stabilise the hull, as has been done the museum we were convinced she
with other historic craft, were would be preserved in her original
NIC COMPTON

rejected and, apart from some linseed state, as had been agreed. To see her
oil applied in the first year, the boat in this state with no immediate plans
was left to fend for herself. to take her indoors is extremely sad.
Finally, in December 2014, the While plans for a dedicated
NMM issued a statement saying the building for the boat have been
project had been abandoned. The shelved, the museum is in discussion
reason? Cost. According to the with donors about using the
NMM, the original 8.3m NOK promised housing funds for a
(670,000) had been unrealistic, and rehabilitation/management project
the actual cost was now around to preserve the vessel while her future
40-50m NOK (3.4-4.2 million), is being decided.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 21


TELL TALES

C/0 ROSE PARRY MANX NATIONAL HERITAGE


Britains
oldest yacht
on the move
The 1791-built Peggy (TTs
passim), thought to be
Britains, if not the
worlds, oldest sailing
KATHY MANSFIIELD

yacht (shes 26ft


6in/8.1m, clinker-built
and schooner-rigged) has
been moved from the
HOBART, TASMANIA Nautical Museum in
Record Aussie wooden boat fest Castletown to a
storage unit in Douglas
The biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival this February was as big, if not bigger, than the record set in 2013, reports by her guardian,
Kathy Mansfield. The crowds were stupendous, the weather perfect after a rather unsettled summer in Tasmania, and the Manx National Heritage,
boats were mind-boggling in number and variety. Boats had set off months before one couple sailed 1,800 miles to be to be stabilised,
there. Fortunately they arrived well before the show: the Tall Ships Endeavour and James Craig were caught by bad examined and
storms, one of them breaking a spar, and sadly had to turn back. conserved.

Sail-trading
ship to visit
Falmouth
The engineless, wooden
trading schooner Tres
Hombres will put into
Falmouth, Cornwall this
summer to offload cargo. For
a week starting 1 May, there
will be opportunities to visit
the ship, taste her cargo of
rum and chocolate and learn
more about trading under sail VENICE
in the 21st century. See
newdawntraders.com.
No rowing please, were Venetian
Venice, one of the worlds spiritual homes of rowing, has banned navigation by seemingly all
human-powered craft including rowing boats. A new law passed on 1 March excludes joles,
WORD OF dragon boats, rowing boats, pedal boats, canoes, kayaks and windsurfs from many of the citys
THE MONTH canals including the Grand. Andrea Bedin of the the Italian Canoe and Kayak Federation said: It
Dead-men is no longer possible to go from one area of the city to another Nobody considered contacting
The reef or gasket-ends us for our take on it, although we represent 14 associations with 1,000 members in Venice.
carelessly left dangling Venice resident Giacomo de Stefano (CBs 2013 Person of the Year), is involved with a legal Giacomo de
under the yard when the challenge against the ruling, which he describes as ignorant, violent and absurd... the excuse is that Stefano: the
sail is furled, instead of last year a German tourist was killed on a gondola by a vaporetto. Gondolas are exempt from the ban. ruling is ignorant,
being tucked in. Ren Seindal, a Dane who operates kayak tours of Venice, has some good maps on his website, violent and
Sailors Word Book 1867 rene.seindal.dk, detailing the restrictions and the legal challenge headed by kayak club Arcobaleno. absurd

22 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


A traditional, plank-on-frame builder dedicated to the preservation and celebration of classic craft.
Offering heirloom projects, bespoke craftsmanship, and exclusive service.

To learn about our portfolio of work or to simply have a conversation


about your dreams of restoration in the field of classic boat design contact us.

Bristol, Rhode Island


blockandbecket.com | 401.424.9844

Stubbornly Traditional
The 180ft (55m) 1995 Dykstra-designed,
Pendennis-built schooner, Adela
Spirit
CLASS
Spirit of Tradition yachts race
at the annual St Barths Bucket
PHOTOGRAPHS TIM WRIGHT
Top left: the
harbour.
Middle left:
motorsport boss
Eddie Jordan with
his wife Marie. He
raced on Lush, an
89ft (27m)
Oyster yacht.
Bottom left:
The Dykstra
schooner Meteor,
169ft (52m),
built in 2007.
Right: Drumfire,
78ft (24m)
Hoek sloop also
built in 2007
Above: Elena of
London, the
2009-built, 136ft
(41m) replica of
Herreshoffs 1910
schooner chases
the Hoek-designed
2010 ketch Marie,
a giant at
180ft (55m).
Right: New Hoek
yacht Elfje, one of
his Pilot Classic
boats. This one is
near the top of the
range at 152ft
(46.4m).
Left: Elenas crew
Winne
Awards 2015

SUPPORTED BY

28 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


ers
TIM WRIGHT

Spirit of tradition over 40ft Spirit of Callisto


Its been quite a year for Spirit Yachts, with a new outpost opening in Hong Kong
and a turnout of nine yachts at Antigua Classics in April. Among them was the 42ft
(12.8m) Spirit of Callisto, which won her class and a concours dlgance award.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 29


Winners Awards
Restoration under 40ft Acanto
2015

Leonardo Bortolami restored this International Dragon as


part of a PhD, the practical element sponsored by the
Cantiere Alto Adriatico shipyard. The restoration, covered
in Yard News at the time, has been a complete rebuild to a
scientific process developed by Leonardo as part of his
studies at the University of Ferraras architecture faculty.

C/O LEONARDO BORTOLAMI

Traditional
new build
Droleen
Jim Horgan, winner of
our small traditional new
build award last year
with his 16ft 3in (5m)
Galway Galley, continues
his mission to find small,
PETER WILLIS

historic Irish boats to


build. Droleen (Driln in
Irish), just 12ft (3.7m) long,
is a lively adaptation of a Powerboat of the year Lady Charlotte
trawlers punt. The plan
is to build six more to A century-old tourist boat from the River Dee with a riveted-steel hull,
C/O JIM HORGAN

encourage tourism. transformed into an electric-powered Thames launch by Henwood &


Dean. Cabin and interior were built separately while the elegant clipper-
bowed hull underwent restoration elsewhere. Its a perfect match.

30 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


EMILY HARRIS

Restoration over 40ft Kelpie of Falmouth


Francis Sweisguth is best known as the designer of the 1910 International
Star keelboat. This schooner was built to his design in 1928. She was found
in the USA by Charlie Wroe, skipper of the schooner Mariette, and restored
at Gweek Quay with a team led by carpenter Ken Wilkinson. Weve been
serialising her restoration with a six-part series in Classic Boat over the last
winter. Kelpie was a clear winner from our voters with about a third more
votes than the next rival.

Spirit of tradition under 40ft Solent Sunbeam


Four years ago, Solent Sunbeam sailors Roger Wickens and Alan Stannah, with our
own Theo Rye as naval architect, set about offering Alfred Westmacotts lovely 1922
Solent Sunbeam in GRP. It has, frankly, been highly controversial, but we have sailed
C/O ALAN STANNAH

both wood and GRP and they are, at least in terms of sailing experience, inseparable.
Misty, V67, is the seventh GRP Sunbeam and she was launched this summer from
Haines Boatyard in Itchenor, Chichester Harbour. The GRP boats have reinvigorated
interest in restoring wooden boats as well as their new, glass sisters.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 31


InnovatIon InspIred by tradItIon

Belfast, maine, Usa | +1.207.338.6636


stephenswaring.com

Solent Sunbeam
Classic Hull + Modern Rig = Pure Enjoyment
The GRP Solent Sunbeam,
Spirit of Tradition
Under 40 ft Winner

Showing the GRP Solent


Sunbeam V67 Minty
competing in Barts Bash
last Summer
Solent Sunbeams can be
Traditional, Wood/Epoxy
or GRP. All race equally
together.
For the Best One Design
Keelboat Racing, Sail and
Race a Sunbeam at Itchenor.
Barts Bash Itchenor .West Sussex
Photograph: Gary Blake www.garyblakephotomarine.co.uk

Come for a trial sail. Enjoy the Sunbeam Experience.


www.solentsunbeam.co.uk Tel: 07836 768225
WINNER Ask about crewing vacancies and opportunities to join the Solent Sunbeams.

32 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


C/0 BARNEY SANDEMAN

Best below decks Altair


Well its been Altairs year in many ways. And the timing of
her stunning achievement in this years Transat Classique
was on our minds when our judges sat to deliberate these
categories. Her French walnut panelling is original, as are
most fittings including her heads. Its a testament to the
work done on her in Southampton in the late 1980s, which
set the tone for many many restorations that have come
since. The Fife schooner, still in Lloyds 100A1, is well
travelled since her revival and carries owners in comfort.

Person of the year


DAN HOUSTON

Nat Wilson
Nat Wilson is the driving force behind
the 4.2m project to turn the 1930s
Boathouse 4 at Portsmouth Historic Editors choice Artisan boat works
Dockyard into a boatbuilding college,
with public viewing gallery and We were so impressed by our visit to Artisan earlier in the year
RICHARD JOHNSTONE-BRYDEN

small-craft display. It will be a second (CB317). The Rockport-based yard is set in woods behind the
campus of Suffolks International quaint Maine port and sheds are full of 20 to 40ft (6-12m)
Boatbuilding Training College that Nat boats many in a good state of repair. Proprietor Alec
has run since 2005 with wife Gill. Hes Brainerds method of operation includes telling owners when
behind the new Shipwrights School at their pride and joy needs a total rebuild, something he says
Bucklers Hard, open this year, too. saves them money in the long run. See more on p84.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 33


Best hull form Sonny
Winners Awards
The story of Sonny, a Germn Frers Senior yacht built in 1935 and then found and restored by his son was
inspiring stuff, in CB310. The lissom-lined double-ender was then sailed to Europe from Frers Buenos Aires
base and took part in several of the 2013 regattas. We caught up with her at Monaco where she was already
2015

making the competition nervous. Frers later won the St Tropez Rolex to crown a great season. Enough said.

JAMES ROBINSON TAYLOR


Lifetime
achievement
Alan Buchanan
Alan Buchanan was one of
the last great yacht
designers who built mainly
in wood. Based in Burnham
and later Jersey, he oversaw
the design of some 2,500
boats. Both Ed Dubois and
CBs John Perryman trained NICOLA PROCTOR

under him and he was held Boatyard of


C/O MYSTIC SEAPORT

in high esteem by those who


knew him as well as the
the year
many who still sail his boats.
Underfalls
Before the judges could suck on
MATTHEW HOTTON, JERSEY EVENING POST

their pencils, one of our number


Living history award cited the work at Underfalls this
last season: Win Cnoops with a
Charles W Morgan new Eventide, now building two
Our new award was inspired by the restoration to sail of motor launches; John Raymond
the Charles W Morgan and her well-chronicled 38th voyage Barker a new pilot cutter plus
along the American eastern seaboard. Achieved with a restoration of the Breeze of 1887;
budget of around $12.5m, her sailing like this gladdened and Tim Loftus (Leaf p36) and
the heart of all who witnessed it, except perhaps for those restoring a Mylne yacht... plus
who restored the Cutty Sark, to not sail, for 53m, Sterling. other smaller projects. Well done!

34 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


JAMES LAWRENCE
Gr ith ade

ain
t B ide
rit
ea pr
in w M

SAILMAKERS LTD
BESPOKE SAILMAKERS

WINNER

Kelpie of Falmouth Photo : emilyharrisphotography.co.uk

22-28 Tower Street, Brightlingsea, Essex CO7 0AL


Tel: 01206 302863 Fax: 01206 305858 Email: mark@gaffguru.com or lawrencesails@btconnect.com

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 35


LEAF OF BRISTOL

FROM
TREE
TO SEA
A new, professionally-built carvel
yacht just 25ft long is a rare
occurrence, and one built to take
the oft-maligned junk rig is even
rarer. We went to Bristol to sail the
newly-launched Leaf of Bristol

STORY STEFFAN MEYRIC HUGHES PHOTOGRAPHS NICOLA PROCTOR

36 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


Tim Loftuss
daughter Megan
(10) holds the
half-model

1 Moulds on the loft floor, where much of the design


took shape. Tim saved the half-model (left), by taking
stations with a profile gauger (often used to shape plaster
mouldings), rather than slicing it like a loaf, the usual way.

T
he late astronomer Carl Sagan once said
that to make an apple pie, you first have
to invent the universe. And while a
tree-to-sea boat does not quite reach
those giddy heights, leaving as it does the
tricky bits like natural selection and
photosynthesis to evolution or a higher force, it is still a
magical transformation to pull off, the sort of project
boatbuilders dream of.
So Leaf of Bristols story really begins the best part of
a century ago when some pine cones and acorns fell to
the ground in a forest in Shropshire. A small part of that
forest was bought a few years ago by Tim Start, Bristol 5 The keel (2.2 tonnes of scrap lead melted in a
resident and a relative newcomer to sailing, after a visit custom-built steel mould over a bonfire), the keelson
by Bristol boatbuilder Tim Loftus to approve the trees (with mortices cut for the timbers), stem and the
suitability for boatbuilding. The resulting yacht, Leaf of sternpost are now in place.
Bristol, is built nearly entirely from those adult larch
trees and sessile oaks. The build project was run to the
tightest of budgets, on the basis that Tim Start would
provide the timber and full-time labour at Tim Loftuss
Bristol yard. He would also fit out the interior himself,
something he was finishing off as we visited.
The project presented a number of unusual challenges.
Firstly it was to be junk-rigged, a hefty, unstayed rig that
implies a number of structural considerations. Other
keystones were a length of 25ft (7.6m), a displacement of
five tonnes, a seaworthy, mid-century form and standing
headroom. Tim Start admired the Vertue (Laurent Giles),
Nor Sea 27 (Lyle Hess) and the Lukes 5-tonner, but
none was quite right. The Vertue and Lukes are too
narrow in the beam, and the Nor Sea 27 is a double-
ender, meaning higher build cost than a plain transom
and relative lack of accommodation and buoyancy. In
the end, Tim Loftus modelled Leaf from scratch. 9 Leaf in her distinctive chloroform green paint. The
Balancing headroom and appearance is always a stout bronze pintles and gudgeons were made at the
challenge. The answer on Leaf was to give a very strong nearby Bristol Foundry. They let us watch the pour,
sheer line. At the bows, this works by rising up to meet said Tim. Very frightening. The tiller is solid oak.

38 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


LEAF OF BRISTOL

2 A total of three (sessile) oaks and four larch trees 3 Freelance sawyer Martin Jones and his wife 4 The transom was glued up from 1in (25mm) thick oak
were selected by the two Tims and felled by tree travelled from Oswestry with their brand-new Bavaria boards. Fashion pieces were added after framing, but
surgeon David Tugwell and colleague Daren. This oak, sawmill and got to work on site in the woods. This giant before planking, so Tim could pick up the necessary
about to be felled, was used for the keel. can mill up to 14,000 board-feet in eight hours. bevels from the ribbands.

6 Transom and temporary battens in place. The 100 7 The larch planks went on without a hitch: If you get 8 Leaf is all timbered no sawn frames. It gives greater
steamed timbers went in in just two days, and the the tuck plank right, the rest will follow above and strength for weight (with none of the inevitable grain
wood was of such a quality that not a single one below it, Tim explained. They were caulked in cotton, run-out you get with sawn members), easier fitting of
broke during this process. then payed with red lead putty, the traditional way. beamshelf and stringers, and a more spacious interior.

10 The deck is two layers of marine ply (9mm and 11 The complex, hollow, Douglas fir mast tapers up 12 The Scout hut at Redcliffe Wharf had the only floor
6mm), finished with two layers of glass, to form a light, from its massive step to a full 11in (28cm) diameter at large enough for Leafs sail, so both Tims worked there in
strong box. Its over Lloyds spec, but Tim considered deck level, then down to the tip. Its walls, as well as its the evenings, making it in polyester sail cloth. A junk sail
it necessary to take the strain of the gargantuan mast. form, are tapered and it weighs 120kg (265lb). is cut flat, making the process relatively simple.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 39


40 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015
The single halyard and mainsheet are
the only lines you use on a day-to-day
basis. Its astonishingly simple

the coachroof line, which slopes gently down to a pair of Above, left to right:
foredeck coamings to meet the sheer. At the aft end, the cutting keelbolts;
sheer kicks up dramatically to disguise the height; this is junk battens; the
also a nod to the original Chinese junks with their high increasingly
poop decks. We never really lofted the cabin structure. popular electric
That was a case of getting the cabin sole as low as outboard option
possible; low-profile flooring helped here, said Tim
Loftus. Much of the boat came together on the loft floor airhead loo to remove complexity and through-hull
in the end. We mocked up what we could get away fittings, and the separately-accessed forepeak to prevent
with. The transom-hung rudder was a no-brainer on the saloon table becoming a congested through-traffic
account of budget and also the transom stern. LEAF OF zone. Junk rig really is astonishingly easy to handle,
Tim wont be drawn on the (very low) end price BRISTOL barring the endless yards of mainsheet. The single halyard
because the circumstances surrounding this build were so LOA and mainsheet are the only lines you use on a day-to-day
unusual and because hes fearful of being scalped by his basis. That all-important halyard runs back to the cockpit
fellow boatbuilders! A similar boat, with similar or
25ft (7.6m) along the coachroof and through a jammer. No winch
different rig, built to order the usual way with finished BEAM here, although one would not go amiss: its heavy. The
interior would be about 85,000-100,000 (+VAT), still 8ft 1in main is sheeted to the pushpit (there is no pulpit as there is
very reasonable for a 25ft hand-built wooden yacht. (2.5m) seldom need to visit the foredeck). At the end of a sail, the
On a cold January day, we sailed away from the DRAUGHT whole rig falls into its lazy jacks. Everyone on the
Underfall Yard where Leaf of Bristol was waiting 4ft 7in waterfront knows Tim Loftus and called out in
patiently with her crew of two Tims. A light breeze filled appreciation of this little green boat he has built. One day,
in as we tacked in Bristols floating dock, and it was
(1.4m) Tim Start hopes to sail her to the Med, and its hard to
enough to get a good sense of her unusual rig and SAIL AREA imagine a more confidence-inspiring boat to do it in.
spacious interior, which Tim Start is busy fitting out, in a 400sqft
simple, sensible manner with some nice ideas, like the (37.2m2) To see more pictures of Leaf of Bristol visit classicboat.co.uk

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 41


JUNK RIG
PROS & CONS
Junk rig is thought to date back to about
300AD, when it propelled Chinese craft with
sails of woven bamboo fortified by battens of
bamboo or pine. It has been in use in China ever
since, although it has also been appreciated by
yachtsmen over the years, not least Joshua
Slocum, who chose a three-masted junk rig for
his 35ft (11m) canoe Liberdade, in which he
sailed 5,500 miles in 1888. Slocum considered it
the most convenient boat rig in the entire
world. The real champion in the western
world, however, was Blondie Hasler, who
commissioned the heavily-modified, junk-rigged
Nordic Folkboat Jester in 1953 and sailed her in
the first OSTAR in 1960. Other notable junk rig
sailors have included Bill King (Galway Blazer)
and the ascetic Roger Taylor, who sails his
junk-rigged Corribee Mingming to extreme
northern latitudes. Its also known as Chinese
lug rig and generally thought to be the preserve
of cranks. It is, in fact, a singular rig with great
qualities, particularly to the short-handed
cruising sailor, and is overlooked only by the
ignorant. The bible on the subject is Practical
Junk Rig by HG Hasler and JK McLeod.

Pros
1 Very easy raising, lowering and reefing
2 Soft gybing due to the sail area before the mast
3 No flogging as the sail is rigid
4 No standing rigging, meaning no whistling
in the shrouds, and greater simplicity
5 Great all-round visibility
6 Good ability off the wind or before it without
the need for extra downwind sails

Cons
1 More expensive and complex to build/retrofit
2 Not great to windward in light airs
3 To some, the unusual appearance

Mike Richey sails


Jester in 1984
ROGER LEAN-VERCOE/PPL

42 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


B uilt for the Royal Naval Training
College of Dartmouth, a fleet of
identical yachts are back sailing
together. For charter and teenage
adventure holidays.

Sail - Race - Regatta


www.classicsail.co.uk
www.wickedsail.co.uk
See 5
our www.wickedlywonderful.com FREE
Trial Sa
201 y at OPEN
il
rar
itine icsail. Mob +44 (0) 7792 919413
WEEKEN
class .uk Tel +44 (0) 1243 512814 3rd D
- 5th
co Chichester Marina, West Sussex PO20 7EJ May

Thanks to all those involved in the restoration of


award winner
Lady Charlotte
____________________________________________
BOATBUILDERS
Colin Henwood and Joe Miller
Mike Wood, Tony Knights, John Adby, Ioan Havard
Jim Day, Brian Reford
SUB-CONTRACTORS
Wolstenholme Yacht Design, MW Vintage Restorations,
Thames Electric Launch Co, Kilworth Marine, Mac Hoods,
Classic Marine, Stevend Engineering, Busy Fingers,
Merlin Signs, Tealby Graphics, Ken Allum, 3D Marine,
G-Mech Marine, Henley Glass, Blastoff, IRCM
SUPPLIERS
Sykes Timber, Stones Timber, Tyler Hardwoods,
Robbins Timber, Davey & Co, Marineware, MEC Marine
and, of course, Lady Charlottes wonderful owner
Simon McMurtrie
____________________________________________
Come and see Lady Charlotte at the
Thames Traditional Boat Festival
18th/19th July 2015

UNDERFALL
U N D E R FA L L BOAT
B O AT YARD
YA R D
BRISTOL
B R I S TO L
New builds and repairs in at the western end of the C.G. Pettersson 1925
The Underfall Yard, situated
wood, steel and advanced
floating harbour in Bristol, offers the following services:
composites by Classic Boat Virgo is a classic wooden launch designed by the
New
awardbuilds
winnerand
Star Yachts, renowned C.G. Pettersson of Sweden in 1925 and now
repairs in wood, Loftus and
RB Boatbuilding,Tim fully restored to her former glory by the craftsmen at Clare
steel and advanced
Independent Composites Lallows boatyard at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
composites.
Rigging services by Dennis
Rigging
Platten ofservices of Rigging
Traditional For Sale 70,000
any size.
Slipway up to 140 Tonnes,
Slipway
includingup to 140
multi-hulls
Tonnes.
Moorings and hard standing
Moorings and
Marine engineering and
hard standing.
electrical services by
Marine
Motion Marine
engineering
On-site forgeandand blacksmith
electrical services.
RYA advanced level training
The works
courses by Blueprint Sailing Underfall
hops of th
e
experience Yard house
phone: 07967 386 004 or
WINNE
riggers, b
d shipwri
la
welders, cksmith and
ghts,

email:
07866 705 181
Tel: 07967-386004
info@underfallboatyard.co.uk
R
fibre com
specialists posite
Email: info@underfallboatyard.co.uk carpente d
an
web: www.underfallboatyard.co.uk
Web: www.underfallboardyard.co.uk
rs.
For more information please visit our website
Underfall Boatyard, Cumberland Road, Bristol BS1 6XG
Underfall Boat Yard, Cumberland Road, Bristol BS1 6XG
w w w.v irg o p e tterss o n .co m

44 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


Saleroom
RM SOTHEBYS

Bardot an
optional
extra
BY DAVE SELBY

If wood could talk, what tales a


RM SOTHEBYS

brace of Rivas could tell of Riviera


glamour and intrigue and the jet-set
life-style on the Swiss lakes.
Riva Florida hull no.341 is
better known as Nounours, an icon photographed together as the This brace of Rivas The RM Sothebys classic car
of the bejewelled lifestyle of bikini-clad beauty scythed over the including Nonours auction on Lake Como also features
St Tropez in its heyday. It was glittering waters and romped (right), formerly a 1976 Aquarama Special, hull
bought new in 1959 by film director aboard the pretty play thing she owned by Brigitte no.652, originally owned by Sheikh
Roger Vadim as a gift for actress kept moored at her famous villa, La Bardot, are the Hamad-al-Thani, Emir of Qatar.
Brigitte Bardot but intriguingly by Madrague. When she sold the Riva highlight of a sale Throughout his ownership the
then the famous couple were to a well-known restaurateur it at RM Sothebys sheikh kept Shaheen, named after a
already divorced and the French remained a fixture of the St Tropez species of falcon, on the Swiss lakes.
screen goddess was about to marry scene for many years. Now fully The series II Aquarama Special with
her second husband. Yet Bardot and restored, hull no.341 is estimated to its twin V8 Riva 350 engines was
her Riva remained an item through fetch 80,000-120,000 (65,000- restored by RAM Sarnico in 2003-5
the early 1960s and the pair were 100,000) when she comes under the and is expected to fetch 350,000-
admired, envied and often hammer in Italy on 23 May. 500,000 (290,000-420,000).

ARTCURIAL BONHAMS
Wheels as rudders First edition
The 1960s Amphicar was advertised as the sports car that Swallows and
sails. With its 1147cc Triumph Herald engine, the German-
built amphibian could lumber to 65mph on land and wallow Amazons worth
to 7 knots at sea with rather vague steering input via the
front-wheels acting as rudders. 11,875
Nevertheless over 2,500 Amphicars were sold from What makes one first edition of
1961-67, making it the most successful civilian amphibious Arthur Ransomes Swallows And
vehicle of all time. This 1964 Amphicar 770, a refreshed Amazons worth 1,187 and another
older restoration, seemed a bargain, making 44,100 ten times that amount?
(30,500) under the hammer at French auction house The 11,875 copy of the 1930
Artcurials February classic car sale. childrens classic was not only signed by
the author, but had a charming drawing
in his hand of a sailing boat on the
half-title page (pictured), making it a
unique trophy for Ransome collectors.
The Bonhams book sale in London
on March 18 included 26 Ransome
works, among them a 1904 first edition
of his little-known first book,
ABC of Physical Culture. Sold in a lot
BONHAMS

with six other early Ransome books,


it made 4,500.

Take a closer look at more Saleroom lots at classicboat.co.uk/saleroom

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 45


Objects of desire

New Panerai watches


These two new watches from Panerai will make collectors
tick. On the left is the Mare Nostrum, an attractive reworking
of the watch the firm made in 1943 for deck officers of the
Italian Navy. It has a brushed titanium, 30m waterproof case,
52mm face and hand-wound movement with 55-hour reserve.
Only 150 are being made. The watch on the right is the
Luminor Submersible 1950 Carbotech with a smaller, 47mm
face. It is inspired by a 1956 watch made for the Egyptian
Navy and is waterproof to 300m, with a 72-hour reserve. No
official prices have been released, but we found the Mare
Rostrum for 25,000 and the Carbotech for 11,000 online.

panerai.com

Candelabra
This is a minimalist,
modern piece from
Flensburg silver-maker,
boatbuilder and regatta
organiser Robbe and
Berking. Its called the
Grande Composition after
the way in which you can
change its shape, as seen
in the photos below. Its
designed by Brett Payne
and available in silver
plate (1,300/950ea)
or solid silver
(2,600/1,900ea).

robbeberking.com

Stormglass
Arthur Beale stocks a satisfyingly heavy and
well-polished brass storm glass, the kind of thing
you may buy for someone who already has a
barometer and barograph. Those scientifically-
minded people might not accept that gazing into
crystals can forecast weather, even though recent
research suggests that there might be something
in it. Either way, they look rather splendid.

97.66 inc VAT + 20.27 for hanging bracket


arthurbeale.co.uk

For more Objects of Desire, go to classicboat.co.uk/objects

46 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


v

V I SI T U S AT TH E JER SEY BOATSHOW F ROM THE 2 ND UNTIL THE 4 TH O F M AY

M O T OR LA U N C H E S - SU PERYACHT TENDERS - DUCHY 27 - SAILIN G YA C H TS


info@cockwells.co.uk | +44 (0)1326 377 366 | www.cockwells.co.uk | www.duchymotorlaunches.co.uk

Classic Boat May advert.indd 1 13/03/2015 15:48:57

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 39


I
The fleet enters the shipping lanes to dash across the
Channel. Most boats were not designed for these waters ts now three-quarters of a century since the
extraordinary mass rescue of more than 300,000
British and French soldiers from the beaches of
Northern France, where they had become
sandwiched between an advancing enemy force
and the English Channel. It is one of the handful
of iconic events in the Second World War that everyone
remembers, and it is particularly dear to the hearts of the
people of Britain because it was one of the few occasions
where the civilian population, or sections of it, felt that it
was involved, and that it could do something.
Known officially as Operation Dynamo, its
vernacular label the Dunkirk evacuation, or simply
Dunkirk. And as often as not, the word Dunkirk, like
the word Blitz changes from noun to adjective, and
becomes part of a phrase the Dunkirk spirit that
sums up a dogged resilience we British like to believe is

48 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


THE LITTLE SHIPS
PREPARE TO
REVISIT DUNKIRK
In this club its the boat, not you, which is the member.
And she has to be a Little Ship, one of the brave fleet which
rescued our soldiers from Dunkirk
STORY BY PETER WILLIS

RAY LITTLE

peculiarly our own. With much history recorded tales their participation documented, that are the durable
of heroism, endurance, self-sacrifice and a few myths, bearers of the spirit of this particular piece of history.
too, including the persistent belief that the Little Ships And, as the decades go by, it seems that more of these
were all motor-cruisers from the upper Thames, piloted historic vessels are rediscovered and restored. In each of
across the Channel by their enthusiastic owners. Quite a the ADLSs five-yearly commemorative Returns to
lot were, and there are instances of such boats crossing Dunkirk, there are a few new names.
the Channel under the command of their owners, but So it is this year and furthermore, the number of
as the register of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships vessels registered to take part suggests that if they all turn
records, and as its members demonstrate every five years, up (which admittedly is unlikely) this could be one of the
an astonishing variety of vessels made up the hastily- largest of the Returns so far.
assembled flotilla that went to the rescue. Its also likely to be one of the most visible. Typically
One fact though is inescapable. Inevitable human the fleet departs for Dunkirk from Ramsgate Harbour at
frailty means that for the first time, this years Return some ungodly hour of the morning as indeed it will do
will almost certainly be bereft of the presence of again this year, away by about 7.30am and even so a
dignified, medal-bedecked elderly veterans of the goodly crowd turns out to cheer it on its way. This year,
evacuation. Not for the first time, the reflection arises however, the organisers have decided to stretch the event
that it is the boats themselves, cared-for, restored, with out, and begin things the previous weekend, in London,

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 49


LITTLE SHIPS TO REVISIT DUNKIRK

MTB 102 The only Royal Naval vessel at Dunkirk to Tahilla 60ft 1922 Thornycroft auxiliary ketch built for Firefly At just 26ft one of the smallest of the Little
have survived, she is now based at Newsons Yard in tobacco baron DM Wills. At Dunkirk she was found Ships; in 1995 Dunkirk veteran, Dennis Kinnell told
Lowestoft and led the 2012 Jubilee Pageant. abandoned and was towed home by Southern Queen. her owners of how he was rescued by Firefly.

Thamesa ex-Minnehaha, owned by John Tough, Llanthony Newly-restored, this 77ft Camper & Gay Venture, 45ft (13.7m) was built by Watercraft of
grandson of Douglas Tough whose yard organised the Nicholson had a particularly colourful Dunkirk, worth Molesey in 1938, and a year later found herself
collection and derequisition of the upper Thames boats reading up on the ADLS website (afls.org.uk) requisitioned to become HMY Gay Venture

New Britannic A former Ramsgate trip boat built Silver Queen Another passenger launch, reported Philante, now Norge, the Norwegian Royal Yacht, she
for 117 passengers was ideal for ferrying troops sunk at Dunkirk, she was later restored by the DLS was built for Sir Thomas Sopwith and took part in the
from the beaches. Recently restored Restoration Trust and has since led an active life Operation Ariel rescue from western French ports

where some of the Little Ships will congregate in the Major General Charles Ramsay, son of Admiral
Royal Docks on the Isle of Dogs. Commodore of the Bertram Ramsay, who was conmmander-in-chief of
ADLS Ian Gilbert explains: Its planned to be quite a Operation Dynamo and went on to head the Royal
big local event. Weve joined up with Museums at Night, Navys role on D-Day. Departure for Dunkirk is on
and on the Saturday, 16 May, well be having an Thursday, return on Monday (see the ADLS website,
illuminated sail-past at dusk. adls.org.uk, for further details).
Then on Sunday, the boats will be available for And the following weekend, those ships and crews
viewing there will be shoreside activities on the quay, that still have the stamina will head out again, this
for local families and particularly young people to find time to Ostend, for the Oostende Voor Anker
out what its all about. maritime festival, where this years theme just
The boats will then set off down the Thames on happens to be Rescue at Sea.
Monday, leaving about 1pm, overnighting at This years ships will, as always, include some new
Queenborough and reaching Ramsgate on Tuesday participants if any vessels that must by definition be
19th. The ships will be open for public viewing during more than 75 years old can be described as new.
the Wednesday (11.30-12.30 and 3.30-4.30), and guest The oldest participant will be the faithful Thames
of honour at a civic ceremony on Wednesday will sailing barge Greta from 1892. Probably the youngest,

50 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


DYNAMO REMEMBERED

Designed for a life of sea rescue


Nineteen lifeboats answered the call Restoration Trust to David and George Above left: DLS Ramsgate. Also making her post-
for Operation Dynamo, and two Hewitts Rescue Wooden Boats charity boats Lucy Lavers, restoration debut will be the 41ft
newly-restored ones will be taking part in North Norfolk. She had been and, right, former (12.5m) motor cruiser conversion
in this years Return. stripped for another restoration but Dungeness Caresana, formerly Dungeness lifeboat
Lucy Lavers, a 35ft 6in (10.8m) her hull was in good condition, though lifeboat Charles Charles Cooper Henderson. She was
Liverpool class lifeboat, was sent to shed lost the designs characteristic Cooper Henderson the first of the new beach motor
Dunkirk as soon as she had arrived at mahogany engine cover. This has been lifeboats at her launch in 1933.
Aldeburgh, Suffolk as its new No 2 rebuilt as part of her extensive Nothing is known of her Dunkirk
lifeboat. With other lifeboats she restoration to her original appearance. service except that she was found
remained on the beaches for five days, This is now almost complete and on 11 damaged and drifting with her crew of
ferrying troops to waiting ships. April she will be relaunched at naval ratings and was herself rescued
Following her retirement from Wells-next-the-Sea and then make her by the Margate lifeboat. The Dunkirk
Aldeburgh in 1969 she went into way down the coast, calling in at Little Ships Restoration Trust acquired
private ownership. In 2010 she was Aldeburgh and other ports (details on her in 2011, since when she has been
transferred by the Dunkirk Little Ship rescuewoodenboats.com), to under restoration at Shepperton.

and a new participant will be the Aldeburgh lifeboat Classic Boat, the partially-restored paddle steamer and
Lucy Lavers, sent off to Dunkirk immediately on distinguished Dunkirk veteran Medway Queen is to be
delivery at her station. towed round to join the Little Ships at Ramsgate.
Some additions to the fleet may include Norge, the The Dunkirk evacuation itself was blessed with almost
Norwegian Royal Yacht, 263ft (80m) built by Camper supernaturally calm conditions and mirror-smooth
& Nicholson in 1937. As Philante for Sir Thomas waters. The Return is usually quite a fraught affair, given
Sopwith, she took part in Operation Ariel, also observed the usual Channel chop, combined with the age of the
by the ADLS, in which 215,000 troops were rescued A stamp marks boats and the manifest unsuitability of many of them for
from Cherbourg, St Malo, Brest and other ports, 14-25 Operation offshore work. This year the flotilla will be escorted by
June. Malahne, a 176ft (54m) superyacht also built in Dynamo on a both the RNLI and the Royal Navy. Even so, there is risk
1937 by Camper & Nicholson and currently completing previous Return and extreme discomfort involved. The owners of the
a major refit at Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth hopes to Little Ships take them to sea as a salute to the
be relaunched in time to join the return her war service predecessors, and to the brave, desperate men they went
has been researched and her eligibility to qualify as a to rescue. But they themselves deserve to be saluted.
Dunkirk Little Ship currently awaits confirmation by the
ADLS committee. And, as reported in last months For more on this years Return, visit classicboat.co.uk

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 51


DYNAMO REMEMBERED

Great War
veterans
With the perspective of history, the
distance between the two World Wars
seems increasingly short a mere 21
years. So its inevitable that some of the
boats that served at Dunkirk also took
part in the Great War, and three of them
will feature in this years Return
Greta, the 1892 Thames barge is the
oldest vessel in the ADLS. Thames
sailing barges were routinely
chartered during the First World War
to deliver supplies, including
explosives to the Continent; In World
War II, Greta was chartered by the
Ministry of Supply to ferry
ammunition, and was diverted to
Dunkirk to assist with the evacuation.
MB278, a 30ft (9.1m) naval pinnace
built in 1914 by W White & Son Cowes,
served in WWI with HMS Sir John
Moore, then HMS Raglan, sunk off
Imbros. Just before World War II, she
was assigned to HMS Erebus and she
nearly missed Dunkirk when she was quickly repaired and given a new Above: Thames Chertesy yard for a refit in time for the
crushed in an accident in Portsmouth engine. She has the scars to prove her barge Greta, the 2010 Return, and became once again
dockyard and sank, in March 1940. Dunkirk service: a row of bullet holes oldest Little Ship in MB278. Mike will be taking her over
When hauled to the surface, her hull made by a German machine gun in her the fleet. again this year. Also taking part is
was badly damaged but she was hull, visible until her recent refit. When Left: MTB278, Omega, a substantial 43ft (13.1m)
the Admiralty sold her in 1948, her photographed during ketch-rigged motor yacht built at the
description did not do her justice, the 2010 Return Admiraltys Devonport dockyard in
round bilge ex-Naval hull of double- 1917. She later served as a patrol boat
skin mahogany with mahogany shelter for the Schneider Trophy races off
aft. Fair condition. No engine. In fact, Spithead. Following Dunkirk, she
she is of double-skin teak on rock elm continued in naval service as an East
and oak frames, with a third skin fitted Coast patrol boat, then a barrage-
internally athwartships. She later balloon vessel and finally for
became Susan K, then Roma. In 2010 accommodation before being handed
she moved to Michael Dennetts back, reconditioned, to her owner.

Resuced under sail


Although built in 1911, Moonraker is unlikely to have served in the
Great War. Shes a 28ft (8.5m) drop-keel sloop, built by Burgoyne of
Kingston on Thames, evidently with racing in mind. Her hull is
mahogany with glued splines between planks giving her a very rigid,
lightweight construction. Evidently though she did play a part in
Operation Dynamo, and in the first Return, organised by the Sunday
Times in 1965, when she was known as Dusty Miller. Ian Gilbert,
current commodore of the ADLS, and owner of Little Ship Papillon saw
her on the 2000 return. Seven years later, after her owner had died
and she had been left to rot away in Heybridge Basin, Ian was able to
buy her out of probate for just 1. Siince then shes been under
restoration at Colin and Stephen Messers Classic Restoration Services
at Windsor. Colin and Stephen will be sailing her in the Return.

52 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


ne 2015
th Ju
, 7
, 6th
5th

Thinking of buying a boat? Then look no further...


Classic boats Modern boats Wooden boats
Fibreglass boats River boats Sea boats
New boats Used boats Professional boats
Amateur boats Come try a boat!
See the widest range of boats for sale in one place, all set
around a beautiful lake beside the River Thames..

Enjoy family days out lazing by the lake in the sun.


New features include make a model boat, make a sail,
understand the art of knots, learn about navigation
and maritime history and outdoor skills. There will
be a Marine Village for some retail therapy,
and much more besides.

With thanks to the Railton


Owners Club who are bringing
the 24 Litre Napier-Railton
Endurance Record and
Track Racing Car from the
Brooklands Museum. This
truly classic car will make
its grand entrance
on Saturday, Admission to The Beale Park Boat & Outdoor Show,
6th June. The Classic Car Paddock and to the Beale Park Wild
Life Park & Gardens from:
Adult single (16 years+): 6.00 in advance
Children single (5-15 years old): 2.50 in advance
Children under 5 free
Family ticket (2 adults & 2 children): 15.00 in advance

To purchase advance tickets (at a reduced price) please visit


www.bealeparkboatandoutdoorshow.co.uk
Camping on site is available. Ticket prices include entry to the Beale
Park Boat & Outdoor Show, The Beale Park Wildlife Park & Gardens
and the Classic Car Paddock. Free car parking and easy access.

Email: info@bealeparkboatandoutdoorshow.co.uk
Location: Beale Park, Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire RG8 9NW
Opening times: Friday & Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-5pm

Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing -


absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.
Kenneth Grahame, author of Wind in the Willows
Above: Victory
class celebrated its
80th anniversary
last summer
Right: WL Wyllie
co-founded
Portsmouth Sailing
Club and painted
its name-board

54 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


PETER MUMFORD/BEKEN OF COWES

POMPEY
CEREMONY
Wrapped in Americas Cup glamour this summer,
Portsmouth also has its own historic regatta, newly
revived to mark some significant anniversaries

STORY PETER WILLIS

P
ortsmouth is set to become the centre of the the Prince Consort, Queen Victorias husband who had
yachting universe this summer when the died three years earlier, without having ever been
Americas Cup World Series races take place admitted to the Royal Yacht Squadron across the Solent
off Southsea beach. But the city will also be in Cowes. Its regattas were often watched by the Queen
hosting an event arguably dripping with herself from one or other of her Royal Yachts and it
even more historic associations. Inaugurated soon gained the patronage of their son the then Prince
in 1827, a year after the first Cowes Week, the Albert (later King Edward VII), a keen sailor.
Portsmouth Regatta was taken over by the citys Royal Founder members included Giuseppi Garibaldi, the
Albert Yacht Club in 1864, and run by it until 1908. Italian radical politician, also a member of the Royal
The regatta then lapsed until last year, when the London YC, and HC Maudslay, owner of the 47-ton
Royal Albert, looking to mark its 150th anniversary, cutter Sphinx and inventor of the sphinxaker, more
joined forces with the Victory Class, celebrating 80 familiar now as the spinnaker.
years, and the Portsmouth Sailing Club, founded in Thanks in part to the attraction of its seafront signal
1920, to relaunch it. The revived regatta was held over station near Southsea Castle, the RAYC absorbed
the last weekend of July, led by a strong 21-boat Victory Portsmouth Motor and Speed Boat Yacht Club and
fleet. With other classic keelboat classes Bembridge Portsmouth Corinthian YC. A later merger in 1971
One Designs and Redwings, Seaview Mermaids and linked it to the slightly younger Royal Naval Club. The
XODs and other yachts, over 50 boats took part. clubhouse is a splendid castellated building incorporating
It was a strikingly different affair from the 1864 a tavern patronised by Nelson, facing the Solent.
regatta, which featured professionally-crewed The anniversary was marked suitably by a Naval
50-tonners, racing for a 50-guinea gold cup, down to band beating retreat outside (and a cocktail party inside),
wherries, the local working row-boats, for which the also by the first presentation of a new trophy, the
prize was a suit of clothes made by a local outfitter. Portsmouth Regatta Cup, awarded to Clive Cokayne,
The Royal Albert had been founded to commemorate whose 1948-built Victory Zara, Z50, took two wins.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 55


PORTSMOUTH REGATTA

Above, left to Portsmouth Sailing Club, home of the Victory Class, race which, thanks to the lack of other traffic on that
right: HQ of the has always been in the thick of it, as far as local sailing day, is allowed a traditional start and finish in the
Royal Naval Club is concerned. Based at Point (aka Spice Island) in Old narrow and normally busy harbour entrance.
and Royal Albert Portsmouth, its tall clubhouse (formerly the French The Victorys neat black half-decker clinker
Yacht Club; design Consulate) looks directly on to the narrow entrance to keelboats are a specifically Portsmouth class (apart
on the Victory Portsmouth Harbour. Its co-founder and first from an offshoot fleet in Gibraltar), brought into being
Class yard; HQ of commodore, in 1920, was WL Wyllie, the marine artist in 1934 to introduce level-terms racing to the area. The
Portsmouth who lived just along the road at the turreted Tower hull design, summed up by CBs Robin Gates as a short
Sailing Club House. Wyllie painted a splendid name-board for the swept-up bow and sawn-off counter... designed to suit
club, which used to hang over its door, but is now the short, choppy seas of the Solent, was derived from
displayed inside the cosy, convivial first-floor bar. the Bembridge One Design, originated 30 years earlier
The club always was, and still is, very much part of with the help of the great Alfred Westmacott, but by
the local community 90 per cent of its members live 1934 abandoned by its home club. So when the
within three-quarters of a mile of the clubhouse. Portsmouth Harbour Racing and Sailing Association
The Victorys aside, there are few classics among its was founded in January 1934 to introduce a one-design,
members these days, but when I asked the clubs the Bembridge boat was a ready-made solution. Indeed
house manager Adrian Saunders about this, he replied, four of the five original Victorys were in fact re-
Below: Sydney We have got one Suhaili! Sir Robin Knox- registered Bembridge ODs. Proper Victorys were a
Grahams Johnson, a near neighbour and member, describes it as little longer, at 20ft 9in (6.3m). Naval architect Sidney
recently-unearthed a lovely club, very friendly. He occasionally joins Graham, the classs first official measurer, prepared the
1934 drawings the regular Victory outings, and helmed Z73 lines and drew up the specifications (which have only
of Victory Seagull in PSCs 2014 Christmas Day Hot Turkey recently been rediscovered). A bermudan rig, now as
then on wooden spars, was devised by Charles E
Nicholson. Most were built by Hampers of Fareham,
but quite a few also by Harry Feltham in his Old
VICTORY Portsmouth yard. Harrys boats had a reputation for

CLASS speed. No-one could understand how they could go so


fast, Eric Butler, one of his ex-apprentices once told
me, but Harry had discovered there was scope within
LOA the measurements to improve the wetted plane.
20ft 9in(6.3m) The classs fortunes have waxed and waned over the
years, but it has generally had an active fleet of 20-30
BEAM
boats. Building dried-up in the early 1960s but resumed
5ft 10in (1.8m) in the 1980s with four boats, Z69-72 by craftsman John
DRAUGHT Perry, a former Harry Feltham apprentice who is still
2ft 6in (0.76m) active in his workshop near the Camber.
SAIL AREA Then, in 2003 the club took the decision to build in
195sqft (18.1m2) GRP, with Z73 Zafirah (now Seagull). Six more have
DESIGNER since been built, with the latest Z79 launched last year.
SN Graham, The class members are getting younger again, and
after Alfred more enthusiastic particularly for the Tuesday and
Westmacott Thursday evening racing.
This years regatta shifted to make way for the
Americas Cup trials is on 26/27 September.

www.portsmouthregatta.org
www.porstmouthsc.co.uk
www.rnc-rayc.co.uk
www.victoryclass.org.uk

56 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


BR A N T A A NG D OM EN
1927 Abeking & R Asmussen 10 metRe YAcht 1907 gunnAR mellgRen 9mR slooP

Loa: 17.94 m |Beam: 3.22 m |Dr aft: 2.30 m |Price: EUR 275,000 | |Loa: 15.50 m |Beam: 2.64 m |Dr aft: 2.35 m |Price: EUR 148,000

G A EL S VA NE V I T
76 PhiliP Rhodes Abeking & RAsmussen ketch 1939 toRe holm inteRnAtionAl 8mR YAcht

Loa: 23.20 m |Beam: 5.20 m |Dr aft: 2.76 m |Price: EUR 1,200,000 | |Loa: 14.65 m |Beam: 2.44 m |Dr aft: 1.90 m |Price: EUR 280,000

L ES T ROIS MOHIC A N
39' bltjeR ketch 66' consolidAted commuteR YAcht

Loa: 12.00 m |Beam: 3.50 m |Draft: 1.80 m |Price: EUR 99,900 | |Loa: 20.12 m |Beam: 3.96 m |Dr aft: 1.22 m |Price: EUR 640,000

Member of t he Robbe & B erk i ng f a m i ly YA C H T S

+49 (0)461 31 80 30 65 baum+koenig@classic-yachts.de w w w.classic-yachts.de


Onboard CRUISING . SEAMANSHIP . EQUIPMENT

Cruising to
Ch erbourg
Pulverised in wartime, Cherbourgs
modern marina, rebuilt in 1975, was
destroyed in the 1987 storms. But today
the biggest port in France is a gateway to
the Cotentin Peninsula and beyond
FABIO NODARI PHOTO.COM

STORY GUY VENABLES

58 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


ONBOARD

JEAN-MICHEL ENAULT
T
he last time I was in Port Chantereyne,
Cherbourg was thirty years ago. I
vaguely remembered a dirty grey
industrial town with nothing to do but
play pinball next to moody dock
workers in acrid cafs. People seemed to
have pudding for breakfast, drank coffee from cereal
bowls and it always rained. For sailors it was a place
to stop to refuel and grab some sleep and provisions
before the sailing holiday started with heading along the
coast. This time, I could have been forgiven for thinking
I had somehow got on the wrong ferry and arrived
in a completely different place.
Vauban, the Marshal of France and famed designer
and engineer of fortifications, first realised the
importance of Cherbourg as a defensive naval base
against the English during a visit in 1686. The
harbours main sea dyke began construction a hundred
years later and took over 70 years to build. Then the
entire project of Cherbourg harbour began during the
reign of Louis XVI and ended in 1860 although you
could argue that this project never actually ends. The
vast outer sea defences, some 21/2 miles long with forts
Left: Etretat in all the way along them were originally constructed by
Normandy. Napoleon. The Titanic made her second-to-last stop
Below: here and passengers boarded from Cherbourg, never to
Cherbourg be seen again. It played a pivotal role in the Second
vintage map World War, being the stage for the artificial harbours
available from floated across the Channel and a strategic landing place
antiqua print for 2.3 million tonnes of GI gear and 110,000 men to
gallery.com support the landings at Juno, Gold, Sword, Utah and
Omaha. One harbour wall fort was used as an ammo
dump but was blown up so as not to let it fall into the
hands of the Germans. On the hills above Cherbourg is
the 19th-century, gunned hill fort cemented ominously
into the Montagne du Roule like a huge grey limpet.
The protection of the harbour is so safe that it
allows for schoolchildren in Optimists to be racing and
training all year round and we often saw long duckling
lines of them being towed back and forth inside the
ANTIQUAPRINTGALLERY.COM

embrace of the walls that act as a huge lagoon and


have Blue Flag recognition for cleanliness. No mean
feat, this being the largest port in France, with a vast
marina of 1,556 berths, 1,300 of which are annual, and

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 59


The Dunkirk Little Ship M.Y. Aberdonia
offers bespoke cruises on the River Thames
for parties of up to 12.
Based in Chelsea Harbour, South West London
Fully licensed and insured, owner operated,
established 1989.

Cruise with style Some availability still for Henley Regatta


www.lindhyacht.com www.classic-yacht-charters.com
The Marine leather specialist
07976 256266

Cruise the West Coast of Scotland...


on our Dunkirk Little Ship CHICO

Built in Fife in 1932 to a G L Watson design, Chico


has comfortable accommodation for six guests.
Cruises available in the Clyde area or from Oban,
with flexible dates and duration.
See www.motoryachtchico.co.uk
or phone 07885 456855 for further details

60 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


ONBOARD
COTENTIN PENINSULA

250 visitors. It provides safe entry at all states of


the tide and is well-located for visiting sailors
smack in the middle of Cherbourg-Octeville
town; and you need only cross the road to find
yourself among the quiet, tall caf-lined streets
with their lofty shade and slowed pulse. In an
excellent drive to beautify the town even more,
if youre registered as a National Historic Ship,
berthing fees are half-price.
The modern marina itself, rebuilt from being
bombed to rubble in the war, was finished in 1975,
given a 12-year breather and promptly dashed to bits
by the storms of 1987. As a project so large as
rebuilding such a monstrous port was an ominous
task, it was done in stages. To announce it is totally
finished is a bit like saying youve finished work on a

JM ENAULT
wooden boat: theres always more. The next project is
a 400-500 berth extension on the west side of the
harbour with another wall to connect it, all planned Above: harbour
for 2016 and a bigger dry-dock area for smaller boats. walls at
Another big phase is better road and cycle access. So Cherbourg.
far the work that has been done is transformational. Right: the ports
The sparklingly new clubhouse next to the visiting central market
pontoons has huge free showers, a nursing area, tourist
information, a library with English newspapers, a place
to do your washing-up, 24-hour access, free Wi-Fi, a
Clockwise from telly that shows constant weather updates and the
above: Le Mont thing that made me feel the most welcome was that in
Saint-Michel; the charging area for computers and phones, the plug
Port Racine; Utah sockets were both French and English. To top it all off
Beach monument; theres an excellent restaurant, LEquipage, upstairs, so
Chteau de you can walk, bedraggled and hungry from your boat,
Ravalet; Saint- be seated by a Maitre D and order the wine before
Vaast-la-Hougue, your crew have finished the tiresome job of tying up.
Normandy If, however, you feel like a leisurely stroll into town for
a meal, the best way to approach is probably to skirt
the eastern road along the seafront where exposed
features of the ancient fort wall appear along exotic,
flower-lined walkways, a nod to the historic ships that
used to land here and planted rare foreign seeds.
Once the swing bridge is in sight your nose will tell
you youre in the right area as the local dish of roasted
scallops or filet de porc aux pommes will waft
invitingly towards you. It is notable that Cherbourg
has gone from having no Michelin-rated restaurants 30
years ago to now having five in the town (one with a
star and the others with Bib Gourmand) and two
nearby where you can eat for as little as 15. Most
yachties tend to drift towards the tapas bar Le Yalta.
The decor is modern, food is good and plentiful, theres
a 22 (16) menu and they serve good wine (I
recommend the 25 chablis), and for the more
adventurous theres either La Satrouille, where
complex flavour and delicacy is key, Caf de Paris
which serves excellent seafood and LAntidote further
into town on Rue du Bl, famed for its onglet steak
(utterly divine). Many of the restaurants proudly
proclaim their local farmed salmon to be the best in
the world due to the constant flowing tides around the
pens inside the harbour defences. Just inland youll find
JC PETREMANN

the infamous Le Pily. We were advised that one has to


book well before you plan to leave England. Although

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 61


TrinityMarine.co.uk
TrinityMarine.co.uk
TrinityMarine.co.uk
The Worlds finest Marine
Antiques & Fittings

Submarine Sink C.1930. Occasional Scottish Highlander c.1860s Deck fittings from MY SHEMARA
stocks of these wonderful fittings.
Trinity Marine Scattor Rock Sheldon Lane Dunsford Exeter Devon EX6 7YT
Tel: 01647 253400 Fax 01647 252075
www.trinitymarine.co.uk contact@trinitymarine.co.uk

Peter Freebody & Co


BOATBUILDERS OF THE THAMES
ESTD 300 YEARS

+44 (0)1628 824382


www.peterfreebody.com
62 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015
ONBOARD
COTENTIN PENINSULA

JM ENAULT

a Michelin-starred restaurant, the formule menu Clockwise from Cit de la Mer that now houses an exhibition area
wont leave you doing the washing up and the locals above: Vauville dedicated to the Titanic and a great aquarium with the
and visitors alike give it le top as the inventive chef beach; Chefs-eye deepest tank in Europe. Just outside is the nuclear
Pierre Marion concocts dishes such as roast scallop on view from Le Pily submarine Le Redoutable that one can walk around
dark boudin sausage, or bream with pork and oysters. restaurant; (they still build submarines on the western edges of the
Indigestion can be burnt away by the variously the days dishes at port) and if you ever feel cramped on board a small
priced but excellent local Calvados and drinking can LAntidote. boat this is a salient lesson that you can feel equally
continue in earnest in The Black Dog Caf inland to Below: fresh cramped on a large one.
the west, while lesser mortals can shop in the shopping seafood from the But Cherbourg is also about its environs. To the
mall Les lis, on the east side of the swing bridge. Caf de Paris East of Cherbourg, within a days sail you can reach
During the day one can simply wander about. Inside Barfleur then the gorgeous fishing port of St Vaast-La-
the botanical gardens youll find the eclectic Musum Hougue where theres the nearest professional wooden
Liais full of rare and some comically-stuffed animals boat repairs available and oyster farms. (Gosselin
and Egyptian and Inuit artefacts put together by a single grocery shop and La Bisquine restaurant scored highly
Victorian nutcase with a lot of time on his hands. The in my journal.) Further still and up the canal is
hill fort holds the Libration Museum which covers Carentan, close to the four landing beaches.
Cherbourg in wartime and has a view of the whole To the west, its the Channel Islands of Alderney,
town. (Its closed from 12 to 2 when sensible Frenchmen Guernsey and Jersey and the delightful coastal passage
take a long lunch.) On Saturday, the market in Place via the Cotentin Peninsula from Dielette to Granville
Central is a cornucopia of produce. The Normandy passing Carteret-Barneville. There are modern marinas
farmhouse butter is so good I import it every visit, at each port and, from Granville, it is a short
only to spread it mournfully on English bread, onward passage to Iles Chausey, Le Mont-Saint-
the baguette having long succumbed to the Michel and St Malo. These places aside,
petrifying effect crossing the channel. Cherbourg has managed to reinvent itself from a
When you sail into Cherbourg, on your left stop-off ricochet industrial port into a delightful
is a vast red brick building that looks like destination in itself and is pitching hard to host
Grand Central Station in New York. This is La the Tall Ships in 2018. Well keep you informed.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 63


ONBOARD
COTENTIN PENINSULA

IMRAY CHARTS
Steps to making a passage plan to Cherbourg
Planning stage Weather offshore. Use these fixes to help
For the purposes of this guide we have As with all plans, start watching the calibrate your leeway.
a typical pilotage plan from weather early. And dont feel concerned HW Cherbourg is an average 3 hrs
Portsmouth, but either of the western about deciding not to go. But your before Dover with stronger streams (up
Solent ports of Lymington or experience and the boat will determine to 4 knots) 5nM north of the harbour
Yarmouth make good departure what weather conditions you are entrances at each side of its
points. In southwesterlies it makes comfortable in. Use synoptic charts breakwaters. In clear visability the port
sense to be as far west as possible to from the Met Office reproduced lies between the hadlands of Cap de la
keep the wind on the beam and of with easy access on sites like Hague (W) and Pointe De Barfleur (E).
course Poole, Weymouth or findafishingboat.com. Viewing these for The western entrance is easier,
Dartmouth are better still for having a few days beforehand gives you a good especially in a tideway.
an easy and fast sail under ideal sense of weather patterns. Approaching at night look for the lights
conditions. You should also choose of Barfleur and Cap de la Hague whose
whether it will be a night passage or a Pilotage and passage notes loom comes up as St Catherines fades.
day sail. Novices will find a night From Portsmouth follow the four port
passage tiring so factor that in as well. channel markers before steering 180 to Publications for navigating
The good thing about a passage to pass between the Spit Sand and Horse Reeds Almanac; Reeve-Fowkes Manual
Cherbourg from the Solent is that it is Sand forts. When No Mans Land fort of Tides for the Central or Western
conveniently around 60nM from the bears 333(M), steer 153(M) reciprocally Channel; Admiralty leisure folios 5600;
Needles Fairway buoy as it is from to keep the fort on that bearing. At The Channel Islands 1112; Cherbourg
the West Princessa Wy cardinal a Bembridge Ledge E Cardinal (8nM from peninsula 1106; Passage chart 2656;
mile south of Bembridge Ledge on the Portsmth) steer 215(M) for 1nM to the Admiralty tidal stream atlas 250;
east of the Isle of Wight. So assuming W Princessa Wy cardinal. Then steer East of Cotentin peninsula 2135;
an average speed of five knots the 210(M) to Cherbourg. Barfleur and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
effect of tide can largely be ignored Make an EP once an hour and 1349; Imray North Brittany C33a;
in these plans. That will change on take fixes on Dunnose cliffs and St Channel islands; and Imray
the EP on the chart of course! Cartherines Pt visible for 15nM The Shell Channel pilot.

64 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


Arthur_Beale_Classic_Boat_150311_Layout 1 11/03/2015 15:45 Page 1

Galway School
of Boat Building Established over 400 years
traditional wooden boat builders and musicians
Classes, projects, sculptures,
pavillions, talks, model boat
building and more
Range of wooden boats
in stock from 11 to 19 Londons Yacht
Chandler

Now
Open
Sundays!

WINNE
R
DROILN The perfect family boat, 12 x 6 with 100sq. feet of sail (Cat rigged)
194 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8JP
(353) 861234701 Furbo, Spiddal, Co. Galway 020 7836 9034
sales@arthurbeale.co.uk
www.classicboat.co.uk or find us on facebook
www.arthurbeale.co.uk

Artisan_ClassicBoat_2014Final2.indd 1 2/18/14 9:12 AM


CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 65
Yves Christian

William McBryde 56 ft Gaff Ketch 1952 280,000 Lying UK


YVES CHRISTIAN is a proper little ship drawn at a time when this was appreciated sea kindly and comfortable she has plenty of
beam, which with her firm sections and snug ketch rig make her very stiff. Originally designed for long sea trips and Mediterranean
cruising she has a 5 part sail plan so shortening sail is simply a matter of lowering sail and not reefing! Her current owners have

Valerie
attended with great attention and dedication to the period and detail of the boats structure, meaning that her systems and interior
are impressive. Theres little left to do but prepare a passage plan - very confident she will look after you.

Stow & Son 47 ft Gaff Yawl 1895 200,000 Lying UK


VALERIE has been beautifully and sympathetically rebuilt, commensurate with her vintage, which at nigh on 120 years makes her
a genuine historical artefact. Thus an object of such rarity, beauty and desirability can be experienced and enjoyed as was intended
by her maker so many tides ago. The simplicity of her finish and fit-out with the re-introduction of her original yawl rig makes her a
handy craft capable of being easily sailed by a small crew. Partial completion of her interior enables a new owner to specify his own
accommodation arrangements, for which an outline option exists.
33 High Street, Poole BH15 1AB, England. Tel: + 44 (0)1202 330077
email: info@sandemanyachtcompany.co.uk www.sandemanyachtcompany.co.uk
ONBOARD

New Classics
FRANCOIS VIVIER
STIR VEN 19: WEEKENDER
From Brittany The Stir Ven 19 is a new design drawn for builder

to Britain
Grand Largue. Shes a smaller sister to the popular,
22ft (6.7m) Stir Ven raid boat and her 240lt (52
gallons) of water ballast enables a light-ship
The designs of French small-boat displacement of just 535kg (1,179lb), making
specialist Franois Vivier have slowly her exceptionally easy to launch and
been gaining currency in recent years. recover. Shes available with or without
This is partly through their virtue, and a cabin and built in clinker ply. She
partly because the market in France is looks like a very versatile dayboat/
so flat that French boatbuilders are weekender at the size.
looking to sell in Britain instead.
Go Marine, an established British
broker, has recently added Vivier boats
from the Breton yard of Grand Largue
to its offerings, as we saw at the
London Boat Show in January, when it
exhibited a Stir Ven 19. Go Marine is
offering the Minahout, Lata, Bniguet
open, Bniguet cabin, Stir Ven, Stir
Ven 19 (open), Stir Ven 19 (cabin) and
the Maban. It is concentrating, at
least initially, on the Minahout, Stir
Ven 19 (open and cabin) and Bniguet.

See gomarine.co.uk or speak to John LOA 18ft 8in (5.7m) BEAM 6ft 11in (2.1m) DISPLACEMENT 535kg (1,179lb)
Butcher on +44 (0)1730 828286. All SAIL AREA 230sqft (21.3m) RCD Cat C PRICE 24,840 (open);
prices on this page are VAT inclusive. PRICE 28,840 (cabin). Extras: 1,924 (trailer); 1,030 (Suzuki 4hp outboard)

ALL PHOTOS C/O GO MARINE

LOA 15ft 5in (4.7m) BEAM 5ft 2in (1.6m)


BENIGUET: CRUISER DISPLACEMENT 250kg (550lb) SAIL AREA 135sqft (12.5m) RCD Cat C
The Bniguet is Viviers answer to the popular 19ft gaff PRICE 15,840. Extras: 1,052 (trailer); 620 (Suzuki 2hp outboard)
trailer-sailer formula. She sleeps two with room for a
chemical heads and galley, and Viviers claim shell sail MINAHOUET: RAIDER
rings around most other trailer-sailers looks well-founded. The clinker-ply Minahout is a distillation of two of Viviers most
These things are subjective, but doesnt she look pretty popular dinghy designs: the Aber and Ilur. The idea is that shes light
in her broad, clinker-ply clothes and proper laid deck? enough and narrow enough in beam to be good to row, but big enough
Finally at 700kg (1,540lb) shes towable with a 1.4lt car. for family outings. She is lug-rigged, with the mast able to be stepped
LOA 19ft 4in (5.9m) BEAM 6ft 11in (1.6m) DISPLACEMENT 700kg far forward, giving a simple cat rig for singlehanders, or further back to
(1,540lb) SAIL AREA 219sqft (20.3m) RCD Cat C give a sloop rig, flying a jib from the short bowsprit. Inside, she benefits
PRICE 36,000. Extras: 2,452 (trailer); 1,030 (Suzuki 4hp outboard) from a nice fit-out that includes enclosed lockers.

More at classicboat.co.uk/new-classics

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 67


ONBOARD

Lazarette
Mast hoops
Classic Marine has made its name by doing new things in
old ways and old things in new ways. For example, why
not make mast hoops from
stainless tube? They Saddleback co dry bag
are light, dont use Its sturdy, particularly well made, stylish and made from the finest thick leather.
up increasingly The Drybag from Saddleback is watertight when rolled up and is one of the
scarce supplies of classiest pieces of small luggage one can own. Ideal for a camera bag or
ash, last for many overnight bag as it has inner strength panels. It comes in different sizes (the
years (you need to medium is pictured above) and feels like part of a western saddle. Their tag line
re-cover every so Theyll fight over it when youre dead is spot on. They will. 205
often) and break so
rarely that you dont saddlebackleather.com
need a spare one on
the mast. A shackle for
attaching the sail can be welded on. Lifecycle traveller bike
26.53 for a stainless hoop and 58.31 Folding electric bikes have evolved quickly enabling this
for a leathered version which is model to hold a 37v 18Ah Samsung battery which powers
roughly half price of ash. a 250-watt motor making the ride equivalent to using a
silent moped. It weighs 22kg and the gears are now
classicmarine.co.uk
nicely spaced for when you want pedal assist. This gives
you a range of around 35 miles at 15mph. It works fine
as a standard folding bike without the battery too.
From 1199 and the suppliers will do finance.

electricbikeworld.co uk.

Lizard crew deck shoe Waterproof leather watch strap Digitalyacht Aquawear phone case
The upper is in mesh with an abrasion- Tested for a year without being removed, this A box of gubbins fixes to your boat then you
resistant rubber reinforcement over the toes. waterproof leather Hirsch Mariner watch strap wear a smartphone in this arm case. The box
Its Vibram rubber outsole is grippy on wet and didnt rot or smell, as most do with time. streams your instrument, AIS, GPS and nav
dry. Very much for warm weather allowing Perfect if youve got a nice watch to go systems on so youre informed anywhere, from
water to sluice out and dry quickly. 109 with a soft leather strap. 35 the heads to the mast top. Untested. 230

magicmarineshop.co.uk hirschag.com digitalyachtamerica.com

For more products for you and your boat, go to classicboat.co.uk/lazarette

68 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


ONBOARD

Books
The Sea Inside SUNDOWNERS
by Philip Hoare
WITH GUY VENABLES
Most of the books we review here are
genre-based: sea books, often good ones,
but books that no one else in their right Bullets
minds would read. This is an all-too-rare
treat a literary sea book if you will.
Philip Hoare first came on to our radars as
of silver
a fellow judge of the National Historic Ships We all do it. Find some booze from abroad and bring it back for
Photo Competition (see p20) and author of Leviathan, a story of whales that others to try. Its a way of reiterating that we have more exciting
won the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction. The Sea Inside is his open- and exotic lives. Few of us however have the resources to set an
ended, wandering way of making sense of the waters of the world that have so entire industry to recreate it for our own production. As we all
gripped him. Arranged in nine chapters it is part travelogue, part memoir, part know (Ive only just found out) Peter the Great left Russia on The
oceanography and part bestiary. And what a turn of phrase Hoare has: he Grand Embassy in 1697 and went incognito to The Netherlands
describes London as a city skewered on its own waterway, for instance. Its a and England to learn how to build ships in order to muscle up the
miscellany of fact, but a thoughtful, personal work too. Very classy stuff, and Russian fleet and to secure allied support against the Ottoman
this edition, with its lovely cover, is a joy as well; one to keep. SHMH Empire. He failed in the latter, not least because he and his
Pub Harper Collins, 2013, hardback, 374pp, 18.99 entourage wrecked the abode of diarist John Evelyn in Deptford
by getting drunk and racing round the house and manicured
garden in wheelbarrows, using the paintings for target practice
and burning all the chairs in the fire. Damage was estimated at a
CLASSIC BOOKSHELF massive 350. In the Netherlands however whilst he was working
as a labourer in a Dutch East India Company shipbuilders yard in
Kurun Around the Zaandam he developed a profound taste for kummel, namely
Bols kummel. So much so that he snaffled some back to Russia
World and got his booze scientists to recreate it. (I do wonder just how
by Jacques Yves le Toumelin much work he got done whilst getting drunk on kummel but he
kept the job for four months. There are, suspiciously, no
The image I had in my mind of Jacques-Yves records of the quality of his work.)
le Toumelin was that of an elderly man and In Danzig (now Gdansk) they came up with the sticky, and
one of the pioneers of French singlehanded frankly needlessly gold-flecked, Goldwasser but in Riga they
voyaging. It therefore came as something developed the excellent Wolfshmidt (now made back in Holland)
of a surprise when I began to read Kurun and what I consider the best there is, the
Around the World to discover a determined, lesser known and icily metallic Metzendorff.
fiery, young man, who ends up leaving Carraway seeds are the main
with a crew because his parents worry about him sailing alone. ingredient with aniseed and mint
Le Toumelin creates his first yacht Tonnerre in the time of the German in some of the others and the
occupation of France, initially using her as a fishing boat while he saves base is vodka. Its
the money to set out on a long voyage. He is on the brink of departure eminently classy over ice
when the Allied forces land in France, so, fearing for the safety of his in one of those tiny
parents, he leaves Le Croisic in Brittany and sets off by bicycle for Paris. glasses that Hercule
While he is away, the attic, where he stayed, is searched by the Germans, Poirot drinks from
who find a secret store of arms and ammunition. This leads to the (kummel was a
confiscation of all his belongings, including his boat. favourite tipple of
Undaunted le Toumelin sets to work again at the end of the war, until his) but theres more.
after many setbacks he is again ready to set sail, this time in a 33ft (10m) Mix two parts gin to
double-ended gaff cutter, which he names Kurun. Leaving France in one of kummel and one
September 1948, Jacques-Yves le Toumelin sets out on a two-year voyage of lemon juice and you
around the world, first heading for Morocco, then crossing the Atlantic and have a Silver Bullet, one of
entering the Pacific via the Panama Canal. He returns to France having sailed the best cocktails there is.
the Pacific and Indian oceans before rounding the Cape of Good Hope. Swap the gin for vodka and
Although I enjoyed the whole book I found the first part of his its a Tovarich which is also
circumnavigation, when he is accompanied at his parents insistence, to be very good. There is a
less inspiring than the second, solo phase. The style is slightly reserved rumour that you can mix it
leaving you sometimes wondering what he enjoys about the voyage. Once with Scotch. But that
he leaves Tahiti however, solo at last, his enthusiasm surfaces, giving the would be a waste of all the
reader the sense of sharing the story of a man who has lived his dream. RT above ingredients.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 69


Chandlery for traditional ships
and classic yachts
Webshop: www.toplicht.de
Free catalogue: The little Brownie

toplicht Hamburg O Germany


Skylark, one of eight boats built and launched by the Class of March 2011
2 day to 38 week courses developed by and exclusive to
Phone: +49 (0)40 88 90 100 The Boat Building Academy
Fax: +49 (0)40 88 90 1011 Learn to build, restore, repair and maintain
toplicht@toplicht.de 01297 445545 www.boatbuildingacademy.com

All systems complete


All
withsystems
masthead
All systems complete
complete sensor
with
withand masthead
masthead sensor
20 metres sensor
of cable
andand 20 metres
20 metres of cable
of cable
All systems complete
with masthead sensor
and 20 metres of cable

70 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


ONBOARD

Classnotes
Thames
THE NAME
The bawley Bona The name bawley is said to have
built by Aldous of derived from the term boiler boat, as

bawley Brightlingsea in 1903 this type was originally known. The


on-board coppers were large pots with
a wooden lid that sat amidships on a
BY VANESSA BIRD brick-lined cast-iron furnace. Once the
trawl had been brought on board, the

I
t is said that if the wind was in shrimps were immediately put in the
the right direction, you could copper and boiled prior to the boats
always smell a working Thames return to port, to ensure they retained
bawley before you actually saw her as much flavour as possible.
arrive back in port. Unlike many
other types of working craft, which CONSTRUCTION
processed their fish ashore, the In the late 19th century, a typical 39ft
bawleys were mini factory ships, (11.9m) Cann-built Harwich bawley
and were all fitted with coppers in was built with an elm keel and oak
which the days catch of shrimps deadwood, floors, frames, keelson,
were boiled prior to the boats stem and sternpost. Elm was used for
return to port. the garboards and two adjacent
The first boats of this type planks and pitch pine for the rest of
emerged in the mid-1800s and were a the planking. The sheerstrake,
development of the peter boat, a stanchions and covering boards were
double-ended clinker boat that is the oak, and the deck was 4in by 2in (102
first known type of fishing boat to be x 51mm) fir, laid on the oak beams on

DEN PHILLIPS
used on the Thames. From small, tar and hair felt.
open craft developed larger decked
boats that would travel greater SEASONAL WORK
distances, with transoms replacing The bawleys were used for shrimping
raked sterns, a more pronounced design, although the Medway during the summer months, and
sheer and the addition of a distinctive bawleys had vertical transoms and stowboating during the winter.
gaff cutter rig. Wet wells to take the were shallower in draught. They were Stowboating involved the boat lying at
fish were subsequently replaced with also fitted with tabernacle-stepped anchor with a large conical net
on-board shrimp boilers, and masts to allow them to pass under suspended underneath it, and relying
consequently the boats were beamy Rochester Bridge. on the tide to sweep fish into it, before
so as to provide stable platforms to The rig of the bawley is it was hauled up over the bow.
prevent spillage from the coppers. particularly distinctive, featuring a
The bawleys were also designed to boomless mainsail that could be LEIGH COCKLE BOATS
be shallow in draught, suitable for brailed up to a long gaff if sails A smaller version of the bawley is the
the shoal waters of the Thames needed to be shortened, and set on a Leigh cockle boat or galley. These were
Estuary. By the 1850s, the bawleys short mast. A lofty topmast carried a built in the early 1900s, and featured
of around 28ft (8.5m) LOA were large jib-headed topsail, while the SPECIFICATIONS an identical sail plan. Shoal in draught,
a common sight on the estuary, long bowsprit up to 17ft (5.2m) on LOA they had to be very strongly
trawling for brown shrimp out of some of the bigger bawleys carried 37ft (11.3m) constructed as the fishermen who
Gravesend in Kent. a choice of headsails. worked them along the Kent and Essex
They soon spread to other During the 1870s, around 100 BEAM coastline would deliberately run them
Thames Estuary ports, too, with bawleys were based at Leigh, 13ft (4m) aground on the sands to collect the
bigger versions working out of Leigh, although by the 1890s, numbers had cockles, before refloating them.
Southend and Harwich, the latter begun to decline. However, they were DRAUGHT Several cocklers, including Endeavour
trawling for pink shrimp as opposed still being used for shrimping as late 5ft 6in (1.7m) and Resolute, were involved in the
to brown. Most were built by the as 1914, when around 60 were based 1940 Dunkirk evacuation.
DISPLACEMENT
highly regarded yards of Aldous of at Harwich. Many were subsequently
Brightlingsea and J&H Cann of fitted with engines, while others were
14.2 tons Vanessas book,
Harwich, although a number were converted to yachts, and although the (32,440lb) Classic Classes,
also built by smaller yards, such as numbers now in existence nowhere is a must-buy.
SAIL AREA Please bear in
Heywood of Southend and various near match those of their oyster- 875sqft mind that this
yards on the River Medway. By the dredging counterparts, a handful (81.3m) book provides only
1870s, most of the bawleys built some of which even have their a snapshot of the
were carvel in construction, and by original rigs do still remain on DESIGNER myriad classes
the late 1800s, most were of a similar the East Coast today. Various in existence.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 71


NeilThompsonBoats
NeilThompsonBoats
For Further information contact us: +44 (0)1263 741172, info@neilthompsonboats.co.uk
www.neilthompsonboats.co.uk

Norfolk Gypsy III Norfolk Smuggler 25


This boat is hull number 17, is in great condition and has an impressive inventory, This beautiful boat is in immaculate condition. She has a cutter rig, a spacious cockpit and
including the stainless steel push-pit which is great for when sailing with children simple interior layout, with 4 berths, heads, galley and 5ft 10 standing head room. Her
onboard. She has been well maintained. Her engine has recently been overhauled and hull shape provides exceptional stability for costal sailing whilst the shallow draft allows
she will be ready to sail for comfortable creek exploration
23,000 Lying: Blakeney, North Norfolk 59,000 (included 1 year builders warranty)
Lying: Blakeney, North Norfolk

Norfolk Gypsy Ripple Southerly 35RS Sylvia of Blakeney


This boat is a great example of the Norfolk Gypsy and comes with an extensive inventory, This boat is in immaculate condition, she was built and commissioned in 2009 and has
including stainless steel pushpit and attractive green hull. She has been lovingly looked had only one owner who has lavished her with time and money. She comes with an
after by her previous two owners. She will soon be fully refurbished in our workshops extensive list of additional equipment and her shoal draught makes her an ideal boat for

Dimensions
and will be offered in a like new condition with an extended 1 years builders warranty. the East Anglian Coast.
28,000
Dimensions
Lying: Blakeney, North Norfolk 155,000 Lying: Blakeney, North Norfolk

Length Length
23 8 (7.28m)23 8 (7.28m)
Beam Beam7 6 (2.31 m) 7 6 (2.31 m)
ford, Holt, Norfolk
orfolk Draft18 (0.51m) 18 (0.51m)
Draft
1263 741172
Total sail areaTotal212
sailsqarea
ft 212 sq ft
nboats.co.uk Weight 1300kg
Weight 1300kg
knboats.co.uk
Norfolk Gypsy Panhaggerty Norfolk Gypsy Pisces
This boat is in good condition for her age and is being sold as seen. She is in good This boat has been well maintained and is currently being refurbished. She will be sold
mechanical condition and ready to sail. with an extended 12 month builders warranty and will be ready to sail for the 2015
season. The attractive white hull with cream deck make a low maintanance boat that will
look great for many years.
22,500 Lying: Blakeney, North Norfolk 27,500 Lying: Blakeney, North Norfolk
ONBOARD

Getting aoat

Three Dunkirk Little Ships from 10,000


EMILY HARRIS

Opportunities to own a boat bearing being midway through a major Above: the Little happy to provide the backstory to
the coveted Dunkirk 1940 brass plate restoration the price includes a Ships fleet at her present circumstances.
are relatively rare, but HSC Boats at number of fittings bought by the Dunkirk in 2010 Nada, 33ft 6in (10.2m), twin-
Henley currently has three on its owner for the refurbishment. Far left: screw, built by EF Elkins of
books, the cheapest of which is the Elizabeth Green was built at Elizabeth Green Christchurch in 1936, has recently
43ft 6in (13.3m) twin-screw motor H Milland of Twickenham Left: Mada enjoyed a fairly major renovation,
yacht Elizabeth Green, offered at in 1935 and has a particularly internal and external, and is for sale
only 10,000. complete and detailed and at 45,000.
There is a reason for this, of distinguished Dunkirk record. Deenar, a 32ft (9.8m) motor yacht
course. Essentially shes in pieces, Gillian Nahum at HSC will be conversion from a 1917 naval
pinnace has a rather racy postwar
history, followed by a tale of
sustained restoration since 1984 by
her present owner. 27,500.

Henley Sales & Charter, Tel: +44 (0)1491


578870, hscboats.co.uk
C/O HSC
C/O HSC

Sigfrid
Mini Joshua
The 34ft 6in (10.5m) double-ended steel ketch Sigfrid which has occasionally
appeared on the pages of Classic Boat, is now for sale. Although commonly referred
to as a small Joshua, due to her resemblance to Bernard Moitessiers famous boat,
Sigfrid is in fact an Oreade and was designed by Maurice Amiet in 1967. His
intention was to create a boat with the extended cruising and seagoing capabilities
of Joshua and Ophelie that was small and handy enough to still be enjoyable for
short daysails. Owner Richard Toyne believes that he succeeded admirably: for the
past 15 years Sigfrid has been his cruising home and has proven to be equally at
home on passage or for an excursion in the bay. She has a surprising turn of speed
for a long-keeled, displacement cruising yacht combined with an easy motion.
Increasing work commitments ashore mean that Richard is not sailing her as
much as he would like to so he and partner Magali are now looking for a buyer.
C/O RICHARD TOYNE

Lying: Gibraltar. Asking: 27,000. Tel: +34 950 497 825


E: info@yesyachting.com, yesyachting.com

For more boats to buy or charter, go to classicboat.co.uk/buy-a-boat

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 73


BOATS FOR SALE

Boats for sale


Looking to sell your boat? CLASSIC WOODEN CABIN CRUISER
Reach over 50,000 readers each month This carvel constructed cabin cruiser, with traditional lines and
varnished topsides, was built in 1923 by Mr Shuttler in Poole.
Lydia is now reluctantly for sale having been lovingly cared for
To advertise call Edward Mannering +44 (0) 20 7349 3747 by the same family in Guernsey for over 60 years. 2012 survey
report, which states that she has been conscientiously
Edward.Mannering@chelseamagazines.com maintained throughout her life, is available on request.
ian.southerndown@guernsey.net
Copy Deadline for next issue is 16/04/2015

FRANCOISE
Francoise is a delight to manoeuvre- aided by two bow thrusters, Chloe May for Sale JANET
her low freeboard Tjalk shape and wide side decks, stepping ashore SWEDISH MALAR 22 SQUARE METRE, 34FT LOA
1980. Built and registered in Dartmouth. Designed by Percy Dalton after the style of Lovely 12ft clinker/mahogany oak framed motor launch. Built by
a Falmouth
is just so easy. Retaining traditional features, she is now superbly pilot cutter. Iroko on Oak, copper fastened.
Built in 1946 from the Gustav Estlander one Survey available.
design Fast, strong,
by Eriksson of sea kindly.
L H Recently
Walker of Leigh on Sea c1950. Ex steam launch converted to
equipped for comfortable year round live-aboard for a cruising nished
Stragnas.herSwedish
second Atlantic
pine on circuit including
oak, mast Antigua
and spars Classic.
Arctic VeryFull
spruce. economic FordStuart
85hp.10'6"
Turner petrol engine and restored by Henwood and Dean
couple and guests (6 berths). 1902 hull is 19.8m. Superb condition. clinker dinghy. 150lb
restoration sherman
2011/12. anchor
Generous suitsplus 75lb good
of sails, CQR.condition.
Excellent traditional
Asking rigging just overhauled.
2003/4. Comes with trailer, cover, nav. lights, fenders. Current
Ret ongoing in Devon, now painted Dove Grey. Beautiful and much admired.
Lying Central France. 195,000 (VAT exempt). Contact: orbit145@ price 19,750. Lying in Plymouth, please call 01752 869000 or
www.yachtchloemay@wordpress.com. 130,000, 07768 536352 safety certificate. Full documentation.
yahoo.co.uk or call 00 44 (0)77950 96697. e-mail info@cremyll-keelboats.org.uk 8,950 ono. London Tel John 02089971936

CHLOE MAY FOR SALE


1980. Built and registered in Dartmouth.
Designed by Percy Dalton after the style of a
Falmouth pilot cutter. Iroko on Oak, copper
fastened. Survey available. Fast, strong, sea
kindly. Recently finished her second Atlantic
circuit including Antigua Classic. Very
economic Ford 85hp.106 clinker dinghy. 150lb
DUNKIRK LITTLE SHIP fisherman anchor plus 75lb CQR. Excellent
30 Single screw Motor Cruiser built 1938 Timms Boatyard. 4 berths in 2
traditional rigging just overhauled.
cabins, two hob galley microwave, electric wc, holding tank, hot/cold water,
Beta Marine BV 1903 water cooled diesel, dc electrics plus 230 ac onboard Refit ongoing in Devon, now painted Dove
inverter. Webasto heating Garmin GPS, Icom VHF radio. Grey. Beautiful and much admired..
Lying Marlow.
Total refit - superb condition www.yachtchloemay@wordpress.com.
49,750. 130,000, 07768 536352
Contact: Jamie on 07710 653 895 Email Jamie@skylapublishing.com

Looking to sell your boat?


Reach over 50,000 readers each month
There are two styles of Boats for Sales ad to choose from and with our special offer,
if you buy two months, your third month will be free. Pick the style which suits your
requirements and email: Edward.Mannering@chelseamagazines.com with your text and
image or call +44 (0) 20 7349 3747. The deadline for the next issue is 16/04/2015
SAMPLE STYLE A STYLE A. 5cm x 2
SAMPLE STYLE B
STYLE B. 5cm x 1
columns. Either 160 colums. Either 55
GOLANT GAFFER
No. 8. Excellent 2 berth coastal words or 80 words words or 30 words
cruiser, built 1999. Length 18
9 Beam 7 Draft 2 9 long plus colour plus colour
keel, designed by Roger
Dongray. Yanmar GM 10 photograph. 275 photograph.
regularly serviced. Very
attractive boat
inc VAT and 155 inc VAT and
lovingly maintained,
Lying Fowey.
Internet Internet
12,000 ono.
Email: name@classicboat.co.uk CUTTER
0000 11111111 Built 1991, mahogany & epoxy hull similar to GRP, 1930s spars &
fittings, beautifully maintained. Visit www.idclark.force9.co.uk for
photos and specification.
25,750 Contact 00000 111111

74 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


BOATS FOR SALE

FOR SALE 27FT 6INS R 6


WOOD HULL

NOMAD
BUILT 1977 M
Charlton South
Shields Hull in good
condition interior
requires attention

A GEM hence the price.


4000 Contact:
07889 169207 or
01890 750472 Boat
on the hard at
E280,000 Eyemouth.

126 CLINKER
A 126 clinker built sailing
dinghy by John Perry of Old
Portsmouth in 2012.
A simple gunter sloop rig on a
spruce mast with Lucas Sails.
Planked in larch on spruce ribs.
Ideal for sheltered waters.
Swallows and Amazons springs
For further details email: to mind.
Excellent condition. Comes

bbinkhorst@gmail.com
with a winter cover and
launching trolley.

Portchester.
10950.
Jeremy Lear 077 6872 4338

CLASSIC GENTLEMANS MOTOR CRUISER MOOSE


Originally built by Pearns and Co
as a Looe Lugger in 1925.
Extensive restoration carried out
by the previous owner in 1990s
and recommissioned as a gaff
rigged cutter. Under present
ownership since 1997 and sailed
in Ireland, Scotland and England.
She has 4 berths, heads, VHF,
chart plotter, tiller autopilot and
cooker. Dinghy and outboard.
Anchors CQR 35 pound with warp and chain and a fishermans
anchor. Windlass electric 24 volt. Retractable bowsprit. Length 32
ft, draft 4 ft 3 ins, beam 9 ft 4 ins. Displacement 7.8 tonnes.
Construction pitch pine on oak. Rig gaff rigged cutter. Engine Beta
marine 42 HP. Berthed in Dingle Marina, County Kerry. 30,000
Contact: paulmoroney06@eircom.net

Called Serenity of Hamble, this elegant mahogany-hulled 37ft


craft was built in 1958 by Gibbs. She was restored to a very high
standard by Mills Dockyard, Trent Lock, Notts. four years ago and
given a GRP sheath. Since then a new Kubota nanni 50HP diesel
engine and gearbox (70 hours only) has been installed and she
has been completely rewired. This beautiful boat is currently at Mills
Dockyard for an exterior refreshment. ROMILLY CORRIEMHOR
Offers over 45,000. Beautiful boat. Fitted out for coastal cruising so she enjoys a
high level of equipment - Cockpit tent, Sprayhood, Instruments,
Contact 07802 485587; john@john-gilbert.co.uk self steering, etc. 17,500. East coast of Scotland but can deliver.
Contact Stephen.booth@crondall-energy.com

31 GENTLEMANS REGATTA WEST SOLENT W23


MOTOR LAUNCH NATICA
Designed by Berthon. Built in 1928.
She is an individual and stunning Lying in Cannes, France
Motor Yacht designed by Andrew Natica was totally restored in 1997.
Wolstenholme and built in 2001/2. Her After a collision during the Voiles de
hull is constructed from cedar and Saint Tropez in 2012 with little
sheathed in West System, her domages. She went to the best
superstructure is made from Brazilian shipyard in the south of France for
restoration of wooden boats, Chantier
mahogany and her large cockpit was PASQUI in Villefranche.
built in mahogany and cherry. The She is now brand new, with new
cabin interior joinery is also in painting, new varnish, new beam, new
mahogany and cherry and teak was main sail. We have sailed in The Voiles
used for decking and floors. She is a de Saint Tropez 2014. About the West
joy to drive and has a comfortable Solent: www.westsolent.org.
cruising speed of around 8 knots. e95 000.
Price 126,000. Tel No 01692 630358 xavier.rougetluchaire@
Email m.read46@sky.com wanadoo.fr
Tel: +33 6 85 21 01 38

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 75


BROKERAGE

Brokerage To advertise call


Edward Mannering +44 (0) 20 7349 3747
Edward.Mannering@chelseamagazines.com
Copy Deadline for next issue is 16/04/2015

2 Southford Road, Dartmouth, South Devon TQ6 9QS


Tel/Fax: (01803) 833899 info@woodenships.co.uk www.woodenships.co.uk

65 Topsail Schooner built in Belgium in 1945. As close to a yacht as any traditional 37 Buchanan Vashti built in 1963, one of the few genuine Vashti class yachts built.
ship will come, she is one of the most stunning ships in UK. Currently coded Cat 2 Mahogany on oak hull, recent teak over ply deck, all teak coamings. Yanmar 3GM
with Cat 0 capability. 16 berths in nicely appointed cabins. Superb condition of rig, diesel, new standing rigging and good sails, well maintained in present ownership,
machinery and systems, recent refit and ready for the season. 395,000 afloat ready to sail this spring. Suffolk 52,000

45Osborne Twin engine motor yacht built by Osbornes 1962. 42 Murray Peterson schooner built in Maine 1963. One of the Silvers Bermudan sloop built by Silvers Rosneath yard in 1935
Fantastic handed twin 120hp GMs gives her 10 kts. 6 berths in 2 best examples afloat, Mahogany hull all bronze screw fastened to as a prototype cruising yacht. Major refit in present ownership
sleeping cabins + saloon. 2 x heads and showers. Enclosed helm. heavy oak frames with solid swept teak deck. Good rig and sails, including new engine, sails and rig. Smart little boat and very
A very surprising motor yacht, 100% competent at sea or in the Ford 120hp diesel, 5 comfortable berths. A stunning yacht in nice spacious below, 3 berths with separate heads and galley. Eye
canals. 5 years cruising around Europe, priced for a quick sale this condition, has taken part in many Med classic regattas in recent catching little yacht with a well documented history. Hants
spring Devon 25,000 years. France 195,000Euros 11,500

31 Miss Silver Ketch built by Silvers Ltd, Rosneath, in 1963. 136 Ian Oughtred Tammie Norrie class dinghy, built by 26 Fred Shepherd Motor Yacht built by Lukes of Hamble in
A very popular design giving a sheltered central wheelhouse, professional shipwright John Bray in 2007. Larch on oak all 1939. An immaculate boat, varnished teak hull and all bronze
twin aft cabin with heads and a spacious saloon forward with copper fastened, gunter rig with a small jib, rows and sails with fittings. Unique sliding roof on the wheelhouse for summer days.
twin berths, galley and heads. A very comfortable cruising yacht, equal ease. New road trailer with piggy back launching trolley, Large cockpit aft with plenty of seating. Volvo 3000 MD11D
well documented major rebuild in recent years. Perkins diesel, a very complete package ready to go exploring this summer 25hp diesel gives 6 knots cruising. A very unusual and eye
Bermudan ketch rig. Smart and tidy yacht. Hants 34,000 Somerset 5,250 catching boat, ready for the summer. Cornwall 20,000
Another fascinating selection of traditional and classic yachts only from Wooden Ships. Call for true descriptions, genuine honest values and a service from people who know their boats.

76 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


BROKERAGE

33 High Street, Poole BH15 1AB, England. Tel: + 44 (0)1202 330077

59 ft William Fife III Ga Cutter 1897/2001 50 ft Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter 1889/2002 52 ft Sparkman & Stephens Sloop 1944
SAYONARA was almost unbeatable in the early years of Australian Built by Hambly; known for producing famously elegant working cutters, Designed by K. Aage Nielsen while at S&S Olin Stephens considered
yachting and was to become the founding yacht of the Sayonara Cup, MARIAN is the 2nd oldest of the remaining Bristol Channel pilot cutters. him the best designer they had ever had. Nielsens manic attention to
having won the rst three challenges followed by a long career saying In 1999 master shipwright David Walkey, notable surveyor David Cox and detail extended to his demanding the best from his builders and CICLON
goodbye to all her competitors. A million dollar restoration in 2000 designer Ed Burnett were all involved in the rebuild that has left MARIAN was no exception - and benetting further from being the yard owners own
brought her back to life again; leaving her not only in impressive condition immensely strong - the qualities that served her during her working life boat! Launched in Cuba in 1944 she was rarely off the podium beating
but demonstrably able to prove herself fast in both light airs and heavy contribute now as an incredibly seaworthy, comfortable vessel with long such legends as STORMY WEATHER and TICONDEROGA. Of course
weather - a very exciting opportunity to compete in the prestigious vintage legs and she is one of the fastest cutters aoat. The beauty, simplicity and beautiful and fast is it time now to reintroduce her to her sisters?
gaff class in an early William Fife III design, that sailed well is surely almost humble presence of this boat will take your breath away.
destined to win silverware again.
590,000 VAT not paid Lying Australia 380,000 Lying UK 275,000 Lying Cyprus

51 ft Westernman Pilot Cutter 1998 56 ft Sparkman & Stephens Motor Sailer 1958 47 ft Jack Laurent Giles Yawl 1951
Designed for ocean voyaging by Nigel Irens on the lines of Bristol To many, a motor sailer was a motor boat with a sail - or even an under As with Jack Laurent Giles Vertue design ISMANA displays that
Channel pilot cutters and built to Ed Burnetts drawings by Covey Island canvassed sailing boat with large auxiliaries. By the 1950s this was not purposeful charm blending style with function as only he knew how - a
Boat Works in Nova Scotia. ALEXANDER T formerly ELEANOR MARY what Sparkman and Stephens had in mind however ! KARMA ex EGRET style that has the onlooker captivated; more subtle than the very long
is an extraordinary marriage of yesterdays traditional sailing ideals with does not carry her masts for decoration and the original coffee grinder overhangs that seduce so easily and far more seaworthy as a result - her
todays technology and design. Built to MCA Category Zero to maintain winch on her counter is further indication of her designers intentions for current owner has fully restored her with the help of Hubert Stagnol and
a standard; not to charter, she of course has the potential to be used by the yachts performance. In her cruising role she is of course spacious, well he seems to have known exactly what he wanted to achieve. Her structure
a school or a trust or simply continue as a wonderful family boat for safe rigged and equipped for some real comfort. She remains in impressive and is impressive enough but its in the simple detailing and original ttings on
adventure almost anywhere in the world. original condition. deck and below that make this boat very special.

295,000 Lying France 280,000 Lying Denmark 192,000 Lying France

48 ft John Bain Silver TSDY 1937 49 ft Alfred Mylne Ketch 1920 36 ft J Pain Clark Ketch 1925
John Bain is considered the father of family owned and operated power Beautiful boats were to be found aplenty from the board of Alfred Mylne It is for good reason a yacht survives nearly 100 years - LOLA is built from
yachts and the Silver Leaf Class (1932-1951) ranging from 42 to 52 feet and GUDGEON has proved to be useful with it as she has been sailing teak at one of the best yards at the time, William King & Sons and her
in length, of which CAIRNGORM is a ne example, demonstrates exactly pretty well non-stop since her 1920 launch. Her rig is now Bermudan yawl history is colourful. Her current owners of nearly 20 years describe her
why elegant and timeless in appearance, good sea keeping ability, high rather than gaff, making her a remarkably easy boat to sail. Extensive rets as well mannered and utterly dependable - proven over 30,000 cruising
quality materials and precise construction. This boat has beneted from in the 1980s attending to her structure - and more recent updates to her miles...a denite character combined with understated good looks.
a very comprehensive maintenance regime and an owner, one of only interior and systems make her an interesting option as a vintage yacht
four since she was launched in 1937, who fully appreciates the vessels ready to be enjoyed by a family. A recent price reduction makes for an
character beautifully unspoilt yet well equipped and versatile even in opportunity!
this modern era.
175,000 Lying UK 75,000 Lying UK 48,500 Lying UK

email: info@sandemanyachtcompany.co.uk www.sandemanyachtcompany.co.uk

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 77


BROKERAGE

For more information about any of these boats


call 01491 578870 mobile 07813 917730
email gillian@hscboats.co.uk
www.hscboats.co.uk

J4 - an Albatross Mark III runabout Golden Butterfly - an electrified varnished BROOKES MARINE LAUNCH - 19,950 SANDERSON MARINE 30 - 26,950
mahogany gentlemans launch One of only five ever built, this rare classic has been Extensively maintained and well presented classic Broads
fully restored with many original features being retained. cruiser with many modern upgrades. Reconditioned
Yanmar inboard with very low hours. Surveyed 2013. BMC 1.5. Shore power, warm air heating throughout.

TRADITIONAL BROADS CRUISER - 12,500 ERNEST WOODS RIVER CRUISER - 20,500


Attractive example of a traditional aft cockpit Broads Fully restored and much improved by Colin Buttifant.
cruiser. Extensively overhauled winter 2014/15. New Built 1904. Electric inboard motor, generator and
Arabella - a trailable steam Kitty - a nineteen thirties Chris - a Chris Craft Sedan gear box and canopy. Well maintained. inverter. Ideal for racing or cruising.
launch built in 1898 with Chris Craft lovingly restored
valid boiler certificate by Alistair Garland

TRADITIONAL GAFF RIGGED RIVER CRUISER - 8,500 CAPRICE CLASSIC SPORTS LAUNCH - 29,900
Built in 1924 by Southgate Bros in Horning, Norfolk. Rare opportunity to purchase a used Caprice Launch.
Spacious accommodation for four. Excellent storage Built in 2007 and in good condition throughout. Low
Tramontana - a 1965 Chris Lady Penelope - a Silver A fine owners launch or throughout. Counterbalanced mast lowering system. hours Nanni 29hp inboard. Trailer available
Craft Supersport Arrow finished in pink ! tender equally suitable for
private or hospitality use. 25 Lower Street, Horning, Norfolk, NR12 8AA
Starring in a beach wear
advert and looking for a
Tel: 01603 784440
new owner to go and party Email: info@broadlandyachtbrokers.co.uk
Web: www.broadlandyachtbrokers.co.uk

FOR SALE
www.mjlewisboatsales.com
Tel: 01621 859373 - Email: info@mjlewisboatsales.com

35 128ft Barges 18ft43ft Classic Designs & Designers 34-128ft ex Work Boats

A Specialist Brokerage service for Classic vessels,Traditional Yachts & Work Boats

18-30ft One Designs 17ft -44ft Old Gaffers 28-44ft Smacks & Bawleys 26-34ft Modern Classics
Visit us: Downs Road Boatyard, Maldon, Essex. CM9 5HG

78 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


YACHTS CLASSIQUES
www.yachts-classiques.com
Email : fseruzier@wanadoo.fr - Tl : +33 (0)6 33 02 81 28
ALL THE BOATS ARE ON THE WEBSITE: www.yachts-classiques.com

RED HACKLE
FRERS 1981 - 18m06
Great confort
Full options
Excellent condition
Absolutey perfect
420 000

GERMAINE
NICHOLSON 1883 - 12m83
Historical yacht
16 year state of art refit
290,000
Featured in Classic Boat issue no 307

Awards 2014
ELLAD
WILLIAM FIFE III 1957 - 10m54
Complete refit 2012
1st Price Restoration Awards 2014
175,000

ETOILE POLAIRE
Abeking & Rasmussen 1914 - 33m
6 cabins
Last refit 2003 & 2007
New deck
Perfect for charter or private yacht
350 000

ROI DYS
Franz Maas 1965- 11 m DIONE
Steel yacht ENDERLEIN 1959 - 51
Can be sold with a Stunningly Beautiful
mooring to Ocean Racer
Antibes - 16 m x 4m 92 victories racing record
35 000 195,000
Mooring price : contact us
Craftsmanship

CB ARCHIVES C/O HMS C/O SOLENT REFIT

Motor yacht restorations power ahead


There is something of a glut of big 1930s motor yacht Main picture: after the second halves of the three names! Dr William
restorations at British yards right now. After the 210ft Malahne. Collier of GL Watson, in charge of the design work,
(64m), 1938 Thornycroft Shemara was relaunched last Above, left to has called it nothing less than the most ambitious motor
year, the 165ft (50m), 1937-built, CE Nicholson yacht right: Shemara, yacht restoration yet undertaken.
Malahne was relaunched, on 14 March, from Pendennis Chinda, Llanthony Four days before Malahne was launched, the
in Cornwall. Like Shemara, she emerged as a fabulous fait and RS Eden 1930-built 162ft 4in (49.5m) RS Eden sailed into Solent
accompli 30 months after going into the shed. Refit on Southampton Water. Eden is an American boat,
She was built for WL Stephenson he of Woolworth designed by John H Wells. She was restored from
and Velsheda, named after the first parts of his three 2006-7, but her new British owner has taken her out for
daughters names: Velma, Sheila and Daphne. Malahne is assessment. Also at Solent Refit is the 77ft 5in (23.6m)

80 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


Craftsmanship
Yard News
Edited by Steffan Meyric Hughes: +44 (0)207 349 3758
Email: steffan@classicboat.co.uk

C/O GREAT LAKES BOAT BUILDING SCHOOL


GREAT LAKES, USA

New pilot gig for Old Ironsides


The Great Lakes Boat Building School (est 2007), has nearly finished the build of a
historically-accurate 32ft (9.8m) rowing gig for Americas oldest sailing vessel the 1795 USS
Constitution (Old Ironsides). Shes built on Cornish pilot gig lines taken off the 1838 gig
Treffry which is still actively rowed by Newquay rowing club, and the schools Bud McIntire
told us shed be ready for a graduation day launch on 5 June. The school also built a 28ft
(8.5m) whaler for the last sail-powered whaleship, the Charles W Morgan (CB318).
C/O PENDENNIS

C/O BLOCK AND BECKET


BRISTOL, RI, USA

New trad yard


The attractively titled yard of Block & Becket opened its doors for business this January, in
one of the worlds classic yard hotspots Bristol, Rhode Island. The founder Keith Brown,
an IYRS graduate, specialises in plank-on-frame build, maintenance, restoration and build.
Projects include the restoration of a 1937 Herreshoff 12, extensive work on a 1930 Dawn
Corporation motor cruiser, and the building of a replica 1934 John Hacker hydroplane.
C/O SOLENT REFIT

DARTMOUTH, UK PLYMOUTH, UK
New rig for Capt
Oatess yawl The Vertue of small yachts
Guy Savage has reinstated As a few recent instances have shown, people throwing
Little Ship Llanthony nearing the end of a restoration the original mizzen gunter serious money at restoring smaller sailing yachts seems
in time to sail in this years return in May. rig to the 48ft 8in (14.5m) to be established as a minor, but growing, trend these
Silvers boats have enjoyed a sudden and vigorous Sibbick yacht Saunterer, days. The recent jobs on Misty and Nausikaa represent
renaissance in reent years. Harbour Marine Services built in 1900 and later the peak, but weve also reported recently on a
in Suffolk have just re-launched their third. She is owned by Captain Oates professionally-restored Stella (and we know of another),
Chinda, a 46ft (14m) John Bain Silverleaf design of the 1912 Scott Antarctic and at least one Vertue. These are the sorts of boat that
built in 1938 by Anderson, Rigden and Perkins in expedition. Guy and are traditionally owner-maintained, often seaworthy and
Whitstable, Kent. Also at the yard is Magyar, for an Chloe have sold her well-loved but also often worn-looking, particularly
owner in Bristol. Built by Saunders Roe, shes a sister to a new owner, who below. The latest is a Vertue from Will Stirling: we hope to
ship to Gralian, featured in CB280. commissioned the work. cover this at a later date, so well keep quiet for now.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 81


MEET THE
DESIGNERS

The Spirit T o Belfast, in Maine where I am meeting the


design duo of Bob Stephens and Paul Waring,
who are carving a name for themselves

is strong
designing Spirit of Tradition craft which are
extremely easy on the eye. The office is on the top floor of
a three storey red brick building on Main St, just a couple
of blocks up from the waterfront of a pretty harbour. Its a
pleasant airy office with extra light brought into the design
studio from a floor-to-ceiling artists window.
And I am a little surprised to see, alongside the wide
Bob Stephens and Paul Waring still computer screens with their CAD drawings of yachts from
unusual angles, draughtsmans tables with spline weights,
draw lines plans in their boat design like heavy black mini sperm whales the traditional tool
of the designer to hold the long splines in position to draw
process. Then they apply modern the curves of his designs lines.
We still draw out designs because it can actually save

design parameters and materials time at the beginning stage of the design process, Bob
says. A hand drawing is also a great presentational tool
for a prospective owner. It feels personalised and its a
good size to be able to see the whole concept of the boat
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS DAN HOUSTON at once. Of course I need no persuading about this and I
love lines plans which are made by hand they are far

82 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


CRAFTSMANSHIP

ALISON LANGLEY

more like a work of art than the printout, albeit at A1 Above, left: Bob 1997, which was just before we launched the W Class Wild
size, from a computer-aided design (CAD) programme. (left) and Paul in Horses. About this time Paul had arrived in Brooklin and
But Im just surprised to hear that its quicker. Bob and their Belfast the pair teamed up with Steve White to become Stephens
Paul avow this is so: We use hand drawings in two design office. Note Waring and White, aiming to design lightweight SoT boats
ways, Bob continues. First its a quick way to develop the spline weights that were fast and easy to sail but which also looked good
the ideas of a design process. And secondly we find that still used for against the backdrop of so many classics in the local waters.
when we are deveoping the construction details we also do drawing designs But after a couple of years the partnership ended and
that by hand because its quicker. But then we transfer that by hand. Stephens and Waring carried on as a partnership. Some of
to CAD and the drawings we give to a builder will always Above: Bequia their signature designs were from this time, with boats like
be CAD. Im quite surprised to hear this because ketch Hoi An, Geranium and Ginger, overleaf, redefining the way
re-drawing the whole boat must surely take time. But Paul people saw Spirit of Tradition boats. The the recession
adds that this is how they mainly work in the beginning struck and they had to endure some lean times: Sometimes
stages even though the drawing in his desk is number we would design a boat that never got built. Three years
four in the evolution of a design consultation. ago they moved to the Belfast office and more recently
With this faith in the speed of hand drawing its not too business has turned up with several projects.
surprising that Bob says he was ten when he realised he And they are excited about the future of their type of
wanted to design boats and started drawing properly aged boat which can take from any classic design or tradition,
14 when his parents gave him a draughting set. It was from a sandbagger to a sailing barge and apply modern
some time before he was able to make his living from design parameters and building materials to make it sail
drawing boats helping Joel White in his design office faster. It doesnt always have to be long overhangs and a
after a couple of years with his son Steve of the Brooklin little spoon bow. There are many traditional designs that
Boatyard. I did that for four years before he died in transfer well, Paul enthuses. Watch this space...

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2014 83


Ginger 2007 BILLY BLACK

The epitome of the SW


dayboat oeuvre, at 50ft
(15.2m), with low-slung
lines and a minimalist deck.
A small cuddy offers some
privacy. Her high aspect rig
makes her a racer. Built at
Brooklin Boatyard

Artisan 30
Currently a concept boat
to be developed with
Artisan boatworks BILLY BLACK

Hoi An 2003
Its only the large wheel
and high carbon rig
which marks her as an
SoT craft. A fast cruiser
at 50ft (15.2m) LOA with
swept wooden decks and
a go-anywhere appeal

Geranium 2006
Another Brooklin Boatyard
build, this 34ft (10.4m) is
reminiscent of many of the
BILLY BLACK

Herreshof and other local


dayboats of New England

84 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


CRAFTSMANSHIP

Traditional Tool

Jet boat which acts as superyacht tender


While the SW partnership mainly concentrates on sailing yachts Bob takes me out in Pandl to let me get the feel of the boat. Above: toys on the
they have designed a number of motorboats and Bob was keen Shes partly influenced by the local lobster boats which are so varnished engine
to show us Pandl, a 26ft 3in (8m) tender which is used to ferry common in these waters... but youd have to look twice to really console include a
crew to and from their 50ft (15.2m) 2003 creation, Hoi An. see the provenance. Its more in her lines than her steering and chart plotter and
But the boat is also a result of a design needing to cater for deck arrangement. She weighs just 5,200lbs (2,358 kg) which GPS. There are
specific needs, and so, for instance she has an open transom to gives her a feeling of stability without seeming heavy. The jet is seats for ten or 12
make it easy for owners to swim from her. Local experience of like a bucket which directs water. It takes a while to get used to people either side
the area being littered with lobster pots also led to her being but makes the boat very manoeuvrable. And an emergency stop
designed with a jet engine so theres no propellor to get caught just turns the bucket mouth from aft-facing to forward and you
up in a lobster buoy line, plus it makes swimming off the back come to a halt in the water in a couple of boat lengths. We dont
easier too. To be able to access local beaches she has a very try this at speed because of the open transom!
shallow draught of just 14 inches (355mm). Bob says there was a plan to put a gate across the stern but
I drew this boat while I was still employed at the Brooklin so far there has been no need to do that. We power up and in
Boatyard, says Bob. Shes very much a one-off and partly my notes I read that at 29.5 knots she tracks like a witch, with
designed for the owners wife to be able to visit her mother on no sense of waver, and you can walk around the deck without
a local island offshore here. It would be 60 miles by road but having to hang on. But do note the calm waters we were in.
only ten by sea. So she has a 240hp Yanmar four-cylinder turbo
diesel that powers her along at 31 knots with a Hamilton Jet. Tel: +1 207 338 6636, stephenswaring.com

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2014 85


COELAN Boat Coating the Original!

Shipwright School Instructor


IBTC Portsmouth is the new branch of the acclaimed IBTC in
Lowestoft, Suffolk and is setting up a Shipwright School at
Bucklers Hard in the New Forest. The aim is to recreate
17th &18th Century boat and shipbuilding activity on the
site where a number of the ships of Nelsons Navy where
built. We are looking for people who have proven skills and
knowledge and the desire to pass these on to motivated COELAN Plastic Boat Coating
Transparent coating for renovating and
and enthusiastic students of all ages. The applicant will enhancing plastic substrates on boat decks.
need to have excellent interpersonal skills, but does not NEW NEW COELAN Portlight Refresher
necessarily require teaching qualifications. Transparent coating for refreshing
porthole windows with a sealing
Salary 30,000 Apply by April 30th CV plus covering letter. effect, e.g. glass, PMMA, PC, PETG
and GRP, above the waterline.
www.ibtcportsmouth.co.uk admin@ibtcportsmouth.co.uk
Nat Wilson Tel o2392 893323
KEMPER SYSTEM GmbH & Co. KG
Boschstrae 14-16 48653 Coesfeld / Germany
Phone +49 (0)2541 920-0 Fax +49 (0)2541 920-400
post@kemper-system.com www.coelan.com

86 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


CRAFTSMANSHIP

Boatbuilders Notes
TOP TIP

Reflections on
sawing square
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS
ROBIN GATES

When you need to cross-cut a piece of timber


squarely but you dont have a try square to
hand, lay the back of the saw across the
face of the timber and adjust its position
until the edges of the timber are in line
with their reflections in the saw plate. At
this point the saw will be at right angles
to the edge of the timber and you can
mark your line. Working by eye in this
way is surprisingly accurate the saw need
be only a degree or two out of square for Timber and reflections in alignment: the
the timber and its reflection to be clearly out saw is square to the edge. Insert: timber
of alignment. The shinier the saw, the better this and reflections out of alignment as shown

ROBIN GATES
works, so give it an occasional wipe with an oily rag by the saw if not square
to keep the rust at bay.
ROBIN GATES

ROBIN GATES

Paring to the line String and nail clamp


A sharp bevel-edge chisel is a highly versatile tool, tough enough to If the parts of a glue-up are too awkwardly shaped to hold in
chop out a mortice yet fine enough to clean the corners of a dovetail place using the regular clamps you have to hand, then you
joint or, as here, the perfect tool for paring down to the line in a might like to consider tapping in a nail either side of the glue
situation where even a bull-nose plane cannot finish the job. The line and pulling the parts together by winding string around
technique is to push with one hand while the other holds the blade them. This improvised clamping method is not only adaptable
flat to the surface and also applies the brake, enabling you to sneak and quick to set up, but is also easily adjustable.
right into a corner taking very fine shavings with excellent control In this example a simple butt joint repair to a strut is
and visibility. Raise the pushing hand slightly to take a coarser clamped under gentle pressure and in perfect alignment
shaving, and skew the chisel to make a cleaner cut. Used in this way using string wound between pairs of small nails until the
its also handy for paring away glue squeezed from joints and cutting glue sets. Small holes left by the nails are easily filled
wooden plugs flush with their surroundings. and painted over.

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 87


CRAFTSMANSHIP

Boatbuilders
Traditional Tool
Notes

Compass plane
ROBIN GATES

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS little contact between its sole and the Clockwise from requires frequent clearing. Because
ROBIN GATES timber until the concave curve is well above: the contact with the timber is
established. If not handled confidently compass plane concentrated over a small area, the
Over the course of their career, from it will see-saw on its cutting edge and cuts a smooth sole of a well-used plane wears rapidly
seven years of apprenticeship to skitter across the wood leaving a concave; an in front of the iron. A graving piece
becoming a master of the trade, a succession of ugly scars, and if used adjustable foot has been mortised skilfully into the
shipwright would assemble a wide against the grain it will dig in like a varies its effective sole of this plane to restore the
variety of planes, particularly if doing mattock. The plane runs more cutting radius; the original profile but even this bears the
much joinery. One of the more unusual smoothly if skewed a little, and this chamfered striations of a hard-working life.
planes and a difficult one to tame example is assisted further by having a turnout One further detail to note is the
was the compass plane, which narrow mouth, which reduces accommodates the shapely chamfer or turnout provided
would be used to shape a hollow in tear-out, and a subtly cambered iron thumb when for the thumb on either side of the
timber too wide to be tackled with which, if set to take a fine shaving, is setting the iron escapement. The turnout comes into
the round-faced spokeshave. not exposed at the corners and so play when setting the iron, requiring
While essentially similar to the avoids scoring tram lines on the that the plane be held with fingers
smoothing plane, with its heavy work. The only drawback to the under the sole and thumb hooked
double iron secured in the wooden narrow mouth is that it clogs and inside the escapement.
stock by a tightly-fitting wedge, the
compass plane differs in that its sole is
radiused and echoing the rocker in a
racing dinghys keel the radius
increases from toe to heel. This
mid-Victorian example from the
London maker Joseph Buck is also
fitted with a stop, an auxiliary steel
toe raised or lowered by turning the
brass thumb screw so as to fine-tune
the effective cutting radius.
ROBIN GATES

The initial difficulty in using this


plane arises from there being very

88 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


Traditional sailing
at its very best...

Cruising Holidays
Tall Ships Races 2015
RYA Courses
Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions & Residentials
Youth Adventure Sailing

01803 88 33 55
Classic_129x202.qxd:Layout 1
7/3/13 10:27 Page 1
www.trinitysailing.org

10 to 150 hp - 14 very smooth, multi-cylinder, heat exchanger


cooled engines

We offer you the best, compact, reliable engines at very


competitive prices!

Easy engine replacement, we can supply special engine


feet designed to fit your boat

Engineered in the UK, at Beta Marine in Gloucestershire,


we welcome your visit

Installation, buy through our dealer network for an installation


package - see our website for dealer listings, or contact us

5 Year Self Service Warranty

The Y achtmans Ch oice


www.betamarine.co.uk
Tel: 01452 723492 Email: sales@betamarine.co.uk

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 89


Invest In A Painting
Epifanes offers you an unsurpassed selection of premium paint and
varnish formulas that combine exquisite beauty and tenacious abrasion
protectionat your local chandlery or call us at 1-800-269-0961.

Yacht Coatings
AALSMEER, HOLLAND n THOMASTON, MAINE n ABERDEEN, HONG KONG
1-800-269-0961 n www.epifanes.com
FOLLOW US
CRAFTSMANSHIP

Adrian Morgan
restored Fifes. Thus she leaks, is
held together by the love of her
owners, runs on a shoestring, is
idiosyncratic, cranky even, has been
known to flood, but has never
seriously been in danger of going
under. The paintwork is also peeling
and theres a distinctly damp smell
down below, especially in the
vicinity of the changing room
(which I suspect is Catherines
wetsuit, discarded last year in a fit
of pique having been pipped at the
finish of the Junior handicap by her
sister. They are now again on
speaking terms, by the way.)
The club is also classic in that it
hosts a small fleet of perhaps the
CHARLOTTE WATTERS

classiest (and classic-est) keelboats


ever produced in this country: the
Flying Fifteen, designed by Uffa Fox

An unlooked-for honour
in 1947 and going stronger than
ever with well over 4,000 boats built
and counting. Our fleet, in contrast
to the latest Ovington or Dingwall,
averages 30 years old, and some were
Adrian, barring last-minute glitches, has a new role born long before decimal coinage.
They are not as fast as the new boats

T
here may be some interruption to service for the simple reason that tweaks to the hull shape,
soon, or at least a sense that the column is allowed under the rules of the class to facilitate amateur
being distracted in some way. This probably building, have resulted in newer boats having waterline
comes as no surprise to the loyal reader who, under lengths nearly 24in (0.6m) longer. Also keels are
different guises, writes every month to say how much polished, hull weight is critical, and, of course, rigs can
he enjoys this page which he to turns first, with eager be bent and twisted in many ingenious ways. The latest
anticipation, when the new magazine arrives. FF News, for example, has a frankly unintelligible article
Thank you, Mr Cadwallader, Thripp, Prendegast etc, about masts by a man who has more FF masts stashed
of 32 Acacia Drive, Warton under Mendip, Burton over away in his garden than we have boats.
Sutton, Cheriton Fitzherbert and numerous other At national and international level racing is fierce and
addresses and noms de plume. I am touched. I really am. highly competitive, with, from what I can make out,
But my distraction is that a role, that of commodore, no most championships won by sailmakers and boat
less, of the ancient and royal Loch Broom Sailing Club, builders who come up with a new boat and sails every
has been thrust upon my unworthy shoulders. year. For classic clubs like us, this makes second-hand
I have been in training for a year now as these things sails ridiculously cheap, and old boats as well. For all
are pretty much sewn-up in advance, to maintain the superbly-restored classic FFs which fetch good
decorum and a sense of continuity, important in keeping money there are dozens of sad specimens clogging up
a steady ship in these high-latitude waters. Barring a driveways or festering under apple trees gathering moss.
last-minute coup by the secretary, or an audacious bid to And these are the kind of true, down to earth, expense
hold on to the reins of power by the present Keels are spared [sic] boats the LBSC prefers, truly classic, sailed
commodore, by the time you read this I shall be by those who love to sail and compete in club races. And
ensconced and in full control of the (R)LBSCs destiny polished, these are the members I shall be representing, and Id like
for as long as three years, the maximum term allowed.
That suggests my attention will inevitably be drawn
and rigs to think this holds true for many sailing clubs whose
members are unconcerned with buying a new mast or
by more weighty matters than banging out 666 words
every month for you, Mr Cadwallader, Smith, Hodgson,
bent in suit of sails every year, even if they could afford an arms
war. We just want to have fun and be as fast on a good
Ramsbottom, Thripp etc, etc. ingenious day as our rivals (or siblings). Not unlike Catherine.
The club is an ordinary classic club, in the sense of
any ordinary classic boat; we are not talking 3 million ways thetroublewitholdboats.blogspot.com

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 91


MARINE DIRECTORY

Marine Directory To advertise call


Edward Mannering +44 (0) 20 7349 3747
Edward.Mannering@chelseamagazines.com
Copy Deadline for next issue is 16/04/2015
BOATBUILDERS CHARTER

Boats plans to
make the sea
more
beautiful

000_CLB_MARITIMA 3/6/08 08:25 Page 1

www.vivierboats.com
DAVID MOSS BOATBUILDERS DESIGN
Quality boatbuilding in wood 8-50, clinker, carvel or strip-plank,
spar-making, painting , welding, lay-up facilities
Repairs - Restorations
Clinker Plywood Boats for
25ft canoe yawl
amateur builders
Catalogue 12
Clinker Plywood Boatbuilding
Manual 23 airmail
Struan Cottage, Bearnisdale, Isle of Skye 1V51 9NS
Tel: 01470 532732

Echomax Press Ad Classic Boat 2012:Layout 1 18/7/12 12:09 Page


EQUIPMENT
31ft gaff cutter
now building
Skippool Creek, Wyre Road, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancs FY5 5LF Telephone: 01253 893830
www.davidmossboatbuilders.co.uk
The only one to be seen with... Voted best buy
Echomax 230i Echomax Active-XS PBO Sept 10
CONRAD NATZIO Inflatable radar reflector
weighs just 420grms and
State of the Art Active Radar Reflector
returns a clear consistant amplified
Boatbuilder
deflates to pocket size. response to radar which helps ensure
A range of simple small craft plans for very Recorded an astonishing you are seen earlier and in poor
easy home building in plywood maximum response of weather: multiple below and above
For details, visit the website: 25.6m2 more than twice deck alarms consumes only 23mA
conradnatzio.retrench.com the ISAF, RORC, ORC on stand by An RTE is a preferred
or contact and WCC requirements. option in ISAF Rules 2012-13.
15 Lanyard Place, Woodbridge,
Certified response diagram Full specification available at www.echomax.co.uk
Suffolk IP12 1FE For 5 year use at sea for the race scrutineer. FCC Certification ID:
Tel/Fax: (01394) 383491 of the 230i check out Optional GF kit for dingy XZMACTIVE-XS
E-mail: c.natzio@btinternet.com www.Panbo.com or liferaft.
Echomax, PO Box 6032, Dunmow, CM6 3AS, UK.
Tel: 00 44 (0) 1371 830216 email: echomaxsales@aol.com

ALAN S.R. STALEY DESIGN


Traditionally carved
Shipwright decorative work for all craft
Boat Building 3 new Interior decoration - Sculptures - Gilding - Restoration
Spar Maker designs Trailboards - Sternboards - Billetheads
added
Repair & Restoration so far in Tafferels to Figureheads
of wooden boats 2015 tel. +44 (0)7836 32 34 31
Surveys of wooden ships
Visit our web site at www.selway-fisher.com
Tel: 01795 530668 MANUALS by Paul Fisher
www.alanstaleyboatbuilders.co.uk Stitch & Tape Boat Construction
Strip Plank Boat Construction
Clinker Ply Boat Construction
Sails for the Home Boat Builder
Plywood Boat Construction for Larger Craft
The Marine Directory is the Fit-Out for Yachts & Launches
- all manuals 18 + 3 P&P each
place to advertise, call now on SELWAY FISHER DESIGN
15 King St, Melksham, SN12 6HB
+44 (0)207 349 3747 Tel. 01225 705074

92 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


MARINE DIRECTORY

INSURANCE MOORING
Deepwater moorings and storage WEI R QUAY BOATYARD
Masters in all marine trades Traditional boatyard in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, South Devon

01822 840474

www.weir-quay.com
SHOES

BillyRuffian.
www.billyruffianshoes.co.uk
tel: 01234 720897
Traditional handsewn boat shoes

SURVEYORS EQUIPMENT
TONY TUCKER Combwich
Fellow member YDSA Marine Enterprises
30+ years experience as surveyor and A Division of Anglia Stainless Ltd
designer of traditional Specialist Suppliers of
& modern, timber, GRP & steel craft Silicon Bronze Fastenings
Pre-purchase, insurance, valuation, damage Woodscrews Bolts Nuts Washers
MCA Code of Practice Compliance; BSS, Machine Screws Coach Screws Coach Bolts
UK and abroad, Fin Bolts Studding Plain Rod
tel +44 (0) 1442 253775 0788 201 6471 Copper Boat Nails & Roves
info@tucker-designs.com Delivery Nationwide
Major Credit Cards Accepted
www.tucker-designs.com
Tel: 01359 251414 Fax: 01359 250103
WEBSITE www.angliastainless.co.uk
Shepherds Grove Ind Estate, Stanton
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 2AR

ilor
Date-A-Sa.com
The Marine Directory is the
THE NEW DATING SITE
place to advertise, call now on
Whether youre Captain
or Crew, bag yourself a +44 (0)207 349 3747
New Shipmate Today!

TIMBER

RobbinsTimber,Brookgate,AshtonVale
Trading Estate, Bristol, BS3 2UN, UK
l Tel: 0117 963 3136 l Fax: 0117 963 7927

l Email: timber@robbins.co.uk
Image of Thames Reach
kindly provided by l www.robbins.co.uk
Peter Freebody & Company

Elite Marine Plywood Free Comprehensive Catalogue


s
We make Mail Order Easy!
BESPOKE INSURANCE FOR CLASSIC
s

Cedar Strip All major cards accepted


Worldwide Mail Order
s

YACHTS AND BOATS


s

Hardwoods & Softwoods UKs Widest Range! s

t. 0117 929 9381 e. marine@hayesparsons.co.uk West System Epoxy


www.hayesparsons.co.uk
Hayes Parsons Marine is a trading name of Hayes Parsons Limited which is
authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in
Collano Semparoc and other Adhesives
England No. 816448 at St Lawrence House, Broad Street, Bristol BS1 2HF
Copper, Silicon Bronze and Stainless Fastenings

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 93


Subscribe to these top sailing titles
SAVE OVER 26 i
Classic Boat
JUNE 2014 4.75 US$13.75
CLASSIC BOAT

SAILING TODAY
YACHTS
YACHTING

CHELSEA CHELSEA
M ARINE
MAGAZINES
M ARINE
MAGAZINES

DECEMBER 2014 | ISSUE #1680


T H E W O R L D S M O S T B E A U T I F U L B O A T S CHELSEA
M ARINE
MAGAZINES
YACHTS

M
YACHTING

CHELSEA
ARINE
MAGAZINES
GO FURTHER I SAIL BETTER I BE INSPIRED

Winning
JUNE 2014 . ISSUE No 312

4.30
OCTOBER 2014 sailingtoday.co.uk 4.20
Issue #1680 | December 2014

ON TEST

OCTOBER 2014 ISSUE N 210


www.yachtsandyachting.co.uk

Total cruiser
12

again RACING CLASSES REVIEW SPECIAL


9 770044 000205

DINGHY BEST OF Exploration 45: the ultimate all-rounder?


1930 yawl
takes the BARTS BASH REPORT | DINGHY CLASSES A-Z | FARR 280 TEST | ISAF WORLDS
A-Z 2014
Awards Boat Show brief Wi-Fidelity
TECHNICAL

Transpac Our unique

DESOLATION SOUND
shortlist Whats hot at Southampton Stay online anywhere
class guide unveiled

GULLS EYE
DORADE . CONCORDIAS . NAPLES CRUISE . TRINITY HOUSE

SKIPPERS GUIDE


Swanwick Marina

ESSEX

GARCIA EXPLORATION 45
GREAT
Blitz hero GIFTS


SWANWICK
Fireboat that PLUS Christmas
saved St Pauls Concordia SPECIAL SOUVENIR REPORT
solutions
Desolation Sound
YACHTS
YACHTING

for sailors


BARTS BASH BEST FOR

MEDICAL KIT
CHELSEA CHELSEA

The ultimate
WWW.YACHTSANDYACHTING.CO.UK

Cootes club
BEST FOR
M ARINE M ARINE

BEST FOR
MAGAZINES MAGAZINES

10
Adventure where boats meet bears
East Coast pilot seaboat?

9 771367 586100
500 YEARS OF TRINITY HOUSE SAILING A KETCH TO NAPLES
Keeping the lights on Between regattas C
Seized keelboltsLASSICS
WORKSHOP ADVICE 06 FARR 280
First UK test of Farrs
latest hot one-design
WALLY BEAUTY
Racing onboard a
stunning Wally yacht
PARADISE
Dinghy sailing in the tropics
at new Mauritius centre
RACING
ISAF WORLDS
The inside story from
Santander
CHELSEA
CHEL
M
SEA
CHELSE
ARINE
YACHTS
YACHTING

CHELSEA
M ARINE
POWERLESS
The
16 joys of cruising
sailingtoday.co.uk
ESSEX RIVERS
OCTOBER 2014 Pubs, barges and mud
THEN AND NOW
How did they cope with
CRUISING
DOCTOR ABOARD
The medical kit you
9 770950 331141
MAGAZINES MAGAZINES
under sail alone on the lovely east coast 1940s nav technology? shouldnt sail without
CB312 Cover1.indd 1 29/04/2014 11:10 1680 Cover (1).indd 1 26/10/2014 19:48
ST210 What'sOn
ST210_001 V6.indd 1V2.indd 16 22/08/2014 16:25
19/08/2014 09:42

THE WORLDS MOST THE MAGAZINE FOR THE MAGAZINE FOR


BEAUTIFUL BOATS COMPETITIVE SAILORS CRUISING SAILORS
For over 25 years Classic Boat has Yachts & Yachting is renowned for Sailing Today is the essential monthly
celebrated the worlds most beautiful its excellent coverage of all aspects magazine for thousands of active
boats. Each issue showcases stunning of racing, from local dinghy and cruising sailors whose love of sailing
traditional boats afloat, examining keelboat events to the heights of the takes them around the British Isles,
their design, provenance and heritage Olympic Games, Americas Cup and across the Channel or further, to the
and championing their classic good Volvo Ocean Race. Each issue is blue waters of the wider world.
looks and craftsmanship. With its also full of vital information, Featuring new and used boat tests,
outstanding photography and expert including technique and tips from interviews with cruising personalities
editorial coverage, Classic Boat is the some of the best coaches in the and expert assessments of the latest
definitive magazine for everyone sport, interviews and profiles, kit equipment, Sailing Today is the first
seeking credible advice, reviews and and equipment guides, as well as choice for any cruising sailor in search
information about classic boats, tests of the latest new boats. of a compelling read.
events and gatherings worldwide.

BEAUTIFUL BOATS . RESTORATION TECHNIQUE . EVENTS CRUISING STORIES . DESTINATIONS


DESIGN . HISTORY . EVENTS EQUIPMENT . COACHING MARINAS . GEAR . PRACTICAL ADVICE

Each from only 39.95 for 1 year


(12 issues, usually 66)
TO ORDER
Go to www.chelseamagazines.com/marine-YY15
Or call +44 (0) 1795 592 810 and quote YY15
Looking ahead
YOUR
EVENTS
Things to do in the next few weeks Send us details NEXT MONTH
of your future
events
29-24 May
YOGAFF
Yarmouth, IoW,
+44 (0)1983 760665.
THE OGA event

Exhibition
28 March-31 January (2016)
Gallipoli: Myth and Memory
National Museum of the Royal
Navy, Portsmouth, nmrn.org.uk
This new exhibition tackles the
misguided historical reputation of
the Gallipoli campaign which has
NGATAKI
The 1933 sloop Ngataki, subject of
been distorted by national myth.
South Sea Vagabonds and a symbol of

Talk Kiwi can-do on a shoestring

7 May
PETER MUMFORD/BEKEN OF COWES
One Wild Song
A Quick dash for the
Horn, by Paul Heiny
Arthur Beale
chandlery, central
London, arthurbeale.co.uk
Writer and broadcaster Paul Heiney
on his voyage to Cape Horn, a
voyage that he made to come to
terms with his sons suicide. He will
also be signing copies of his new
book on the subject.

Sailing GREEK SCHOONER


SHMH

22-24 May Campbeltown Classics


Kintyre Peninsula, Scotland, 11-17 MAY An old Greek working caique, whose
scotsec@oga.org.uk
Flagship event of the Scottish OGA
Semaine du Golfe, France revival started in the 1980s
Probably the best small-boat raid in the world. Its not really a raid
though, nor a regatta, more like a long cruise-in-company
23-24 MAY
throughout the islands and wild tidal races of this amazing bay.
Brixham Heritate Regatta
A thousand boats take part from Tall Ships to coracles, and the
Brixham, Devon,
scenery, parties and festival atmosphere are second to nothing.
Tel: +44 (0)1803 853332,
Utterly captivating. semainedugolfe.com
brixhamheritagesailing.org.uk
TOP TO BOTTOM TINO RAWA TRUST, NIC COMPTON, EG MARTIN ARCHIVES

Other sailing magazines from the publishers of Classic Boat


IN THE LATEST ISSUE IN THE LATEST ISSUE
SAILING TODAY

GO FURTHER I SAIL BETTER I BE INSPIRED


MAY 2015 | ISSUE #1685

MAY 2015 sailingtoday.co.uk 4.20


CRUISING
BA YOUGRULLS l Easy Orient: charter in Turkey 4.30
Issue #1685 | May 2015

l Volvo Ocean Race:


MAY 2015 ISSUE N 217

yachtsandyachting.co.uk

Easy
05
SUMMER TRAVEL SPECIAL
R GU EY
POCE IDE E
9 770044 000205

RT L TO
VEL O
L N
A ESSENTIAL halfway analysis
Orient l Boat test: Impression 35 REGATTAS
Charter on Turkeys
ancient Carian coast
PLUS European Venue Guide

EG MARTIN We re-examine the


XXXX | XXXX | XXXX | XXXX

l Ian Williams: most


NEW BOAT TEST
Impression 35
l Gulls Eye: Barcelona Port Vell
TURKEY DUTCH CANALS IMPRESSION 35 BARCELONA CLOTHING

Built in the Alps for


roomy cruising

successful match-racer legacy of arguably Britains foremost


l Germn Frers: the superyacht IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS

IAN
INTERVIEW

yachtsman of the 1920s.


VOLVO
INTERVIEW
Germn Frers designer who prefers small boats OCEAN
RACE
WILLIAMS
On board with the
Match Racing
l Technique the lee-bow
tack
The superyacht designer Halfway stage report World Champ

JUNE ON SALE
YACHTSANDYACHTING.CO.UK
05

l Clothing: tomorrows trends


who prefers small boats
9 771367 586100

GEOFF HOLT GOING DUTCH CLOTHING GUIDE SPRING TIME LUNA ROSSA LEEBOW TACK JOG RACING HUGH WELBOURNE
Latest Cup progress Step by step guide to Secrets to success from Cutting edge foil
Why sailors should rue Taking on Hollands Tomorrows trends Impress in the marina from the Italian team perfect your technique coastal race winners technology uncovered
Paralympics snub Standing Mast Route revealed today with our mooring tips

ST217_001_Cover.indd 1 17/03/2015 18:18

Available at all good newsagents or order now post-free from chelseamagazines.com/shop Friday 1 May, 2015 (or subscribe!)

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 95


Letters
LETTER OF THE MONTH SUPPORTED BY OLD PULTENEY WHISKY

Navigating The cargo was immediately


inspected and with the deft hand

in London
Thank you for an excellent
of a professional iron all was made
good. The cargo is now in pride of
place on the fridge, soon to be
evening at the awards. As you dispatched for framing!
were concerned at my transport Pete Sedgwick, Summerwine Boats
problem I thought I would provide
you with a blow by blow account Reply: Oh thats very good thats

CHARLIE NOON
of the journey home: made us laugh! It was good to
We cast off from the Cork meet you and thanks for making it.
Street Pier and quickly tacked into After youd slipped we carried on
the Regent, heading east south east Above: Pete followed the Strand for some way. We loading at the Cork Street Pier
on a broad reach. On arriving at Segwick (left) out kept a weather eye on the dangers of until the stevedores had got the
the Piccadilly Rocks we dropped on his own was drifting into the Savoy Bar. Having cargo level with the gunwales.
anchor to secure the cargo as it the toast of the turned South we arrived at Waterloo Then we cast off and hoped to do
had slipped out of the trouser top streets of Mayfair Docks to see many Bulgines off- well on a beam reach heading NE
and immediately hove to in the loading cargo and at pier 8 boarded by N bound for Hanover. But with
Leicester tide race having been the Weymouth Packet without our decks awash we decided the
carried that far by wind and incident or delay. With a good wind conditions were too rough to
current. Here we had a slight and a fair sea we eventually arrived at continue and so we rounded up all
brush with several dolphins and Poole and traversed the town, keeping standing in the lee of the
sea serpents singing and dancing a close eye out for vagabonds and the Burlington Harbour Arms. The
before our eyes. Resisting the call like. Just past the hour of midnight landlady there helped to warp us
of the Sirens, we again upped we boarded our van and proceeded, in and we passed a happy hour or
anchor and with a good wind left again without incident, to Swanage two carousing in the warmth of
Cape Trafalgar to our port and and home. some good British cheer.

Is a 50-year-old GRP boat a classic?


Your comment about whether a designers and sailors. So the Tempest
50-year-old GRP boat is classic or not (a trapeze keelboat) and the Soling
raises the eternal question as to what (inspired by 5.5mR), both past
makes a classic. It does seem Olympic classes and sailed by the best
improbable that no classic has ever sailors of the time have definitely
been designed since boats stopped made that contribution. Others may
being traditionally built in wood. At be derivative classes, such as the
ROBIN CLABBURN

Charles Stanley Cowes Classics Week Camper & Nicholson production


(CSCCW) we want to be as inclusive classes and the Contessa 26, which
as possible, but were not a wooden owe a debt of gratitude to earlier
boat festival and were focused on designs, taking advantage of newer
Any news of Panther III? yachts that want to race, not working
boats, so to CSCCW any boat,
manufacturing techniques. In
addition, as most of our boats are
I was wondering if any of your American readers could shed however old, is not necessarily a one-design or development classes we
light on the fate of Hubert Scott Paines boat Panther 3. classic yacht. What we are is an event need to respect rule changes and
This boat was raced in Europe winning the 6 litre Coppa San Marco, that offers the race track and design trends throughout the life of
a 120m race down the Danube from Vienna and finally winning the resources for boats that time has the class and allow the boats to sail
Coppa Achille. She then went to America with Scott Paine to race. passed by and to provide an together if thats what the class wishes.
She is 23ft x 6ft beam powered by a Gray marine super six 330 cu international event at which a Is 50 years the right cut-off for
inch engine. The photos were taken in the mid 1990s to assist in the community can develop that respects GRP boats? It may be arbitrary, but
restoration of another Sea Arrow by the Military Power Boat Trust. heritage and provenance of the boats. it is a significant milestone and its
Panther 3 then belonged, I believe, to Jeffrey Ridgway in Chester CT. On that basis, what makes a not a fixed date that freezes in
She was in the open under a canvas so it is possible she has not classic to CSCCW are boats that in perpetuity which boats may join in.
survived. I would be very interested to hear of her fate. the past have contributed to David Elliott and Peter Taylor,
Martin Bingham, Lound, Notts advancement of the sport by Charles Stanley Cowes Classics Week

96 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015


LETTERS
Send your letters (and also any replies, please) to:
Classic Boat, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place,
London SW3 3TQ
email: cb@classicboat.co.uk

i
Classic Boat
APRIL 2015 4.75 US$13.75

CLASSIC BOAT
105
05
T H E W O R L D S M O S T B E A U T I F U L B O A T S

APRIL 2015 . ISSUE No 322


Three-year epic
1930s yawl built
to circumnavigate

regattas Cruising Maine


wooden boat
heaven
Top events to
enjoy this
summer

SOUTHERN CROSS . MERIDIES . VARNISH . BERMUDAN RIG 2


www.classicboat.co.uk
BERMUDAN RIG: PART TWO GENTLEMANS MOTOR YACHT FINISHING LINE 04

World domination! Bring out the Silver The last varnish test 9 770950 331141

CB322 Cover APRIL.indd 1 23/02/2015 16:02

Superb April issue


Congrats on a really super April
edition, every article and the
photographs were superb. A really
great issue to get us thinking
about getting afloat once more.
Just been talking to our yard in
Ludham and we should have

EILEEN RAMSEY/PPL
Demoiselle in the water by Easter.
Thanks also for publishing my
letter on the RAF yachts at Kiel
and it was intriguing to read the

Memories of Wyvern with the Navy at Cowes other letter. Just in case you get a
query and sorry if it was my typo
I was interested to hear of the ex-BRNC (Britannia Royal Naval College) yachts still sailing (CB320). I error, but the guy at the helm of
enclose some photos taken by Eileen Ramsay in 1963 at Cowes of Wyvern, the yacht sailed by Drake Flamingo in the photo was Tony
Division of BRNC. We had an excellent week, though won no prizes we had extra provisions on Blackman and not Tom. Tony is
board, including a dinghy (pictured), for the following week when another crew were sailing her to now quite a famous pilot and well
Denmark. Our crew consisted of Lt Cdr Schofield, helming, OC Drake Division, S/Lt Alexander, known aviation author.
S/Lt Campbell, Cadet Byrne 2nd L Myself + one other. David Hastings, Salhouse,
WJ Farr, Ayton, Berwickshire Norwich

In support of the Harwich Mayflower


I was interested to read David Thorpes years working on-site on the build of the
letter (CB322) voicing his concerns for Jubilee Sailing Trusts barque Tenacious.
the Harwich Mayflower. As the designer For research for this Mayflower I spent
of said ship I would like to provide some more than six months looking at as much
further information that, hopefully, may background information as possible. The
allay some of those concerns. new ship design was started from a blank
To answer Mr Thorpes question on the sheet and is based on 17th century-design
provenance of Westbrook Marine Projects practice and construction as far as possible.
Ltd. I have been fortunate to have been In addition, as she will be a commercial
involved in the design, construction and vessel, I have incorporated all the latest Above: artists enough for two Mayflowers each with
operation of many sailing ships since marine safety regulations in the design impression of the different objectives. As well as the ability
forming the company in 1985. As a Naval which included, among many others, Mayflower at to cross oceans, Harwich Mayflower will
architect I have worked in the marine watertight subdivision and rigorous Harwich sail around the UK and give those people
industry on projects from J-Class yachts in stability requirements. not in a position to visit the Mayflower II
the 1970s to the present day where I am the Mayflower II was a major achievement in the USA the experience of a 17th
owners sailing representative for the build in both construction and voyage and all century wooden ship that formed such
of the new ship for the Marine Society and those involved are to be congratulated. an important part of world history.
Sea Cadets. Between times I spent three However, I am sure the Atlantic is large Graham Westbrook, Southampton

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 97


Sternpost

Sailing to your budget


High-end Elena; Mid-range Spirited Lady

TIM WRIGHT
and entry-level, the Harrison Butler Cora. All seen at Antigua

Damage limitation
Nigel Sharp challenges the notion that wealth is a prerequisite of yachting

F
or much too long there has been a popular who love the sea get what boats they can and go a-sailing
misconception very often promulgated by the how and best they can, regardless of varnish, pumice
non-marine media that leisure boating is stone, paint and spotless sails.
necessarily expensive. CB readers, however, will know as High profile events such as the Americas Cup have
well as anyone else that, while there clearly are some never helped either: Many disagree with your frequently
people who are willing and able to lavish unimaginable expressed view that the Cup has done a tremendous lot
sums of money on their boats, there are many of good to yachting, J Richards wrote in a letter to
inexpensive ways in which it is possible to get afloat. Yachting World in 1934, for they think it has done more
Harrison Butler thought so too. We must explode
Ones harm than good it does a lot to invest yachting with the
the popular fallacy that to own a yacht is synonymous enjoyment reputation of being a rich mans game only.
with wealth, he said when presenting a paper to the Is it possible, wondered Yachting Worlds editor
can be EF Haylock in January 1947, in a piece about the
Congress of the Small Craft Exhibition in 1923. The
ownership of a car carries no such stigma, and yet measured by boatbuilding licence scheme brought about by post-war
yachting is far less expensive than motoring. the time it is timber shortages, that the responsible high-government
A decade-or-so earlier Yachting Monthly had officials are not yachtsmen and, doubtless in common
published a piece entitled Economical Yachting by HJ possible to with many others, look upon all forms of yachting as the
Cheetham. It is somewhat remarkable that in waterside devote to the pastime of a rich and privileged class? Far from it, many
towns and villages yachting should be considered a of our keenest small boat sailors and cruising men are
pastime only for the wealthy, he wrote.
water and to comparatively poor and, taken individually, outnumber
The growth of this idea can be readily imagined Gods air the owners of the luxury yacht by hundreds to one.
from the advent of someone if we may describe it in During the war itself, the Sunday Times published a
these democratic days in a higher social scale. piece by the Marquis of Crewe who thought that
And yet yachting or boat sailing is not beyond the yachting is the most costly of all pastimes, whether
reach of even the most plebeian, and it may be that the cruising or racing. This prompted AL Prynne, Hon Sec
less liberally endowed a man is with the worlds goods of the RNSA, to write a letter to the Yachting World:
the more enjoyment does he get out of the pleasure he Much harm can be done by columnists who write in an
takes upon the waters. The extent of ones enjoyment authoritative manner about subjects of which they are
need not be measured by the depth of ones purse, but ignorant, and in this case a false statement might easily
rather by the amount of time it is possible to devote to choke off recruits to one of the healthiest and most virile
the water and to Gods air. of all recreations. Haylock, too, thought that I am
F Cowper, writing in Yachting World in 1921, agreed hoping that we shall see an end to misrepresentation,
with the less is more philosophy: All the elegancies and which must have caused many a man who could afford a
refinements of the conventional yacht are but luxuries, boat to think such a thing was beyond his reach.
and do not tend to foster that hardihood and adventure Sadly we have yet to see the end to
which is the very essence of practical boat sailing. Let all misrepresentation, and I wonder if we ever will.

98 CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015

You might also like