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
Waterwitch Billentot seen in Whitby harbour
Waterwitch is the big sister to Maurice Griffiths’ famous shoal draft Eventide design. If you can forgive her boxy hull, I think she makes a good family cruiser, with her inboard rig and triple keel – some might even manage to live on board all year round. I noticed the one pictured above in Whitby harbour during the regatta and talked with the owner, who told me Continue reading “Maurice Griffiths’ Waterwitch”
Isabella
The Isabella, seen at Henley-on-Thames. A deliciously pretty boat, I’m sure you’ll agree! Her owners must be proud.
My researches reveal little about Isabella, but I think she may be one of the boats called Isabella listed at Jim Shead’s pages.
If I’m right she’s listed as
ISABELLA Built by Xxxxxx in 1988 – Length: 29 feet 2 inches (8.90 metres) Beam: 5 feet 10 inches (1.80 metres). a Diesel Inboard engine with a power of 16HP. Registered with EA Thames Region number W1132 as a Non Hire Annual.
For more from Jim’s encyclopaedic website devoted to Britain’s inland waterways, click here.
While searching for information about Isabella, I once again came upon this collection of photos from the Thames Traditional Boat Rally. I’ve linked to it before, but it’s well worth revisiting many times. Don’t go in there unless you’ve got a thermos of hot coffee and some sandwiches – you may not come out for hours!
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Said to be the oldest rowing boat in regular use, a pilot gig known as Newquay is being restored by the National Maritime Museum at Falmouth, in Cornwall.
Built in 1812 by William Peters of St Mawes, the red and white Cornish pilot gig has left her usual home at Newquay Rowing Club to allow NMM boat builder and restorer Ralph Bird to Continue reading “Rowing gig Newquay restored”