intheboatshed.net

Sunny skiff model – download both model-making and full-scale plans here

I’ve been happy today to hear from a reader who has made a model of the Sunny skiff that she has been working on and has kindly sent them over. The model maker described the little boat as ‘a thing of beauty’, so I you can probably imagine I was very chuffed indeed.

I’m always pleased to see shots of models of my designs, so if anyone else has any to share, please send them over! I’m at gmatkin@gmail.com.

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Down in New Zealand someone’s selling an unused British Seagull outboard bought in 1971 but still in its box. I haven’t seen one of those for a while!

I’ve always liked the jolly logo of a matelot casually swinging an outboard in one hand, even if I’ve never actually seen anyone managing the trick of looking so relaxed while carrying an outboard of any make.

See details of the item for sale here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=250349313

Apparently it comes with a set of dye-line drawings for a 20ft British Seagull trunnel boat – and from the illustration this is a basic but good-shaped flat bottomed skiff with the outboard in a well.

Does anyone know any more about this boat please?

Thanks to Paul Mullings for pointing this out.

Read more about Seagull outboards at the British Seagull website.

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The moment of truth

Some time ago Australian surf rower Bill ‘Woofa’ Barnett wrote a manual explaining the facts of life for new sweeps – the people who steer surfboats.

Being a sweep is a highly skilled activity in which experience counts for a lot, and I gather good sweeps continue in the role for many decades.

However, for most boat users, the manual  will be an extraordinary, jaw-dropping document. It’s divided into two main sections covering coping with surf and competing in races. The first section is the one that caught my attention. Here’s a couple of quotes:

‘Going over a big greenie

‘This is spine chilling and the boat will land with a thud on the other side of this wall of water. Your job is to land well balanced, on your feet controlling the sweep oar, so that it does not slam down on the quarter bar or stroke’s head. Calm your crew and get them going again at top speed… Remember you are never safely through surf until you are atleast 100m past the regular break line.’

And:

‘Surf sense

‘Some of the greatest sweeps of all time could not swim, had no original surf sense, broke many boats and nearly killed themselves, many times. They succeeded with pure guts and determination.’

Read more at the Australian Surf Rowers League website: Sweeps Manual

After reading some of this manual, it comes as no surprise that the publishers accept no responsibility for anything that might go wrong when following these instructions. You only have to see a few photos to understand why!

My thanks to Dale for pointing this out!

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