Gavin Atkin's weblog for the sort of people who like looking inside boat sheds. It's about old boats, traditional boats, boat building, restoration, the sea and the North Kent Coast
Fowey held a rally for ex-lifeboats recently as these smashing photos by local chap Paul Richards show. Local boat builder Marcus Lewis reports that a great selection of ex-lifeboats turned up, and bright breezy weather helped the flags to fly.
All of the boats were made open to the public, who were asked for donations to the RNLI.
Thanks Marcus, and thanks also to Paul!
Boat building life goes on in Fowey for Marcus Lewis. Here’s what he has to say:
‘We’ve been ticking away down here in Cornwall, with several repair and renovation jobs, including a 15ft motor launch that came in for repainting and varnishing, and few other bits and pieces.
We are also just completing a pram dinghy that will be on display at the Plymouth Classic Yacht Rally 24/27 July, and also at the Henley Traditional Boat Festival 18/19 July.
The Mevagissey tosher I had has found a new home: she has gone to Essex to be restored. Hopefully the new owner will keep us updated with progress. [That would be great. Please get in touch tosher owner!]
We have also just delivered a 14ft Mayflower dinghy, Demelza, to her owner on the River Fal. It’s an ideal dinghy for exploring the creeks and beaches down there.
I have managed to buy the glass-reinforced plastic mould for the Mayflower dinghy, and I have a good friend who is a GRP laminator, so hopefully we will also be able to offer a plastic alternative – though I still say the wooden ones are best!
See Marcus’s work and contact him via his website, www.woodenboatbuilder.co.uk
For more posts from Marcus, click here.
Charter History: Experience a Traditional English Ship – CLASSIC YACHT TV ‘Bessie Ellen’ from Classic Yacht TV on Vimeo.
My thanks to  Fowey traditional boat builder Marcus Lewis for this one as well!