intheboatshed.net

Following on from Alan Thorne’s Boat Building Experience and a number of other community projects, Faversham Creek Trust is this weekend hosting a presentation by Alec Jordan of Jordan Boats at the Purifier Building, 2.30pm Saturday 21st September.

Over the past decade or so, Alec has been involved in the pioneering coastal rowing movement, in which communities build and race boats built to legendary designer Iain Oughtred’s St Ayles Skiff plans.

Alec will show inspiring photos and talk for 30 minutes followed by a question and answer session. I do hope Faversham takes up the challenge, while but maintaining its established interest in rowing the skiffs it has already built to the Julie skiff plans!

Intheboatshed.net followed the coastal rowing project extensively during its early days.

Salcombe trained traditional boat builder Nick Smith has been working on this nearly finished motor launch, his first major project since moving back to Devon some months ago.

The boat needs some more varnish work and some hardware odds and ends, but it’s looking fabulous already.

Contact Nick via his website http://www.nicksmithboatbuilder.co.uk/

Basics of sailing upwind well

Our boat designing and sailmaking pal Mik Storer has decided to share what he’s learned over the years about beating – arguably the most challenging and important point of sailing.

‘Many beginner sailors find sailing upwind more intimidating that it needs to be this explanation will give you an understanding that you can practice next time you go sailing – a basic lesson for beginners and some ideas that will also help intermediate sailors.’