Half-decked Nick Smith motor launch for sale

Half-decked launch Isla on her trailer

Nick’s lovely traditional West Country boats don’t come up very often, but his boats are widely admired, and two students at the Boat Building Academy at Lyme Regis have used his plans in building their projects: see Phil Bevan’s recent 18ft motor launch and I’ve found a link to what looks like a very similar boat built in 2021 by Tony-something.

Isla is one of Nick Smith’s 16ft half-decked motor launches. It’s eight years old, but has only had two gentle seasons of use, and is said to be in immaculate condition.

Isla has room inside for two to overnight, and was built at the Nick Smith Boatbuilders workshop at Salcombe. She has a 14 hp Nanni diesel inboard engine, and a cover and trailer are included in the sale.

The vessel is currently lying near Salcombe, on a trailer and undercover. The asking price is £17,500.

Phone Nick at 07827644223; email nick_smith_boatbuilder@yahoo.com.

Isla sister ship Sauzon afloat

Further progress on the new traditional fishing boat

Last week I was lucky enough to be able to visit retired boatbuilder Eric Paine and his friend Len, who are together building a traditional timber-built South Coast fishing vessel. The project continues to be stunning!

Eric believes this to be the first new boat of its type to be built for 45 years.

To see earlier posts about Eric and Len’s build see Building a new traditional fishing boat for Dungeness and Progress on the traditional fishing boat for Dungeness.