intheboatshed.net

The book that has filled my life for the last 18 months is finally published. Naturally, I think about this event in much the same was as I would regard having to gybe in a strong wind – but there’s no going back now. Having done the best I can to make sure everything’s as tight and ship-shape as can be, I’ll just have to grit my teeth, pray the book gets a favourable reception, duck my head and concentrate on following the best course out of the gybe.

Readers might be interested the blurb published by Amazon, and presumably provided by International Marine. I hope the book and I live up to it!

Ultrasimple Boat Building (Paperback) by Gavin Atkin

The first complete how-to guide for building the latest generation of quick and easy boats

In Ultrasimple Boatbuilding, renowned designer Gavin Atkin shows you how to create elegant, seaworthy plywood boats with a minimum of time, experience, and expense. Using clearly written and illustrated step-by-step instructions, Atkin explains the basics of stitch-and-glue construction, tools, materials, shop safety, and more, as he helps you choose and build the simple boat of your dreams.

Gavin Atkin is known around the world for his minimalist boat designs. His award-winning creations, including the celebrated Mouse, have been built by countless boat enthusiasts.

USA readers can buy it at the US Amazon site:

And UK readers can find it at the UK Amazon equivalent:

Rounding the Lightship, Photomezzotype from a watercolour of a Thames barge racing match by artist Ernest Stuart
Jeff Cole has sent me a scan of this sweet Photomezzotype of Rounding the Lightship, a water colour by the artist Ernest Stuart.

Ernest Stuart was a late 19th and early 20th century seascape and marine artist noted for his depictions of breaking waves. Apparently, this painting was exhibited between 1889 and 1915 at various noted galleries in the UK including the Royal Academy.

Jeff suggests this painting may have been from the same period as this painting on show at artnet by the same artist.

For more photos of the Thames follow this link. Don’t miss the shot of the older swim-headed type of Thames barge tucked away among Henry Taunt’s photos!

Two photos of Puffin on a grand day out with the Steam Boat Association and a new small motor launch both built by Nick Smith

Traditional boatbuilder Nick Smith has sent some more shots for our entertainment.

The first two shots of Puffin and other small steamers are from the Steam Boat Association rally at Bucklers Hard, near Beaulieu, a few weeks ago.

The little 12ft 6in mahogany runabout on the stocks in these photos is nearly finished and is now for sale – get onto Nick via the WBTA site now if you’d like to buy her!

Tell us about your traditional or traditionally-derived boat. Email me at gmatkin@gmail.com!