15ft water ballasted small boat designed by Adrian Morgan for Loch Torridon
Stuck last week at home in the ice and snow like many in the UK, writer and Ullapool-based traditional boatbuilder Adrian Morgan got stuck into something he hasn’t done for a while – he sent intheboatshed.net some words and photos.
Naturally, I’m very grateful though I too could do without all that tedious white stuff.
In fact, it all got so bad for Adrian that he decided to start a very interesting weblog: The Trouble with Old Boats.
Here’s what Adrian has to say about the boat above:
‘This was launched in late summer for a client with a cottage on Loch Torridon. It’s built to my design developed from Norwegian original, but beamier and flatter-floored for more stability. She carries water ballast, so is light to tow and launch, but sits deeper for stability. She’s 15ft in length, and built of larch and oak with a standing lug.’
Oughtred Guillemot adapted by Adrian Morgan
And here’s what he has to say about this Iain Oughtred-designed Guillemot:
‘Built to replace a 12ft family dinghy that had been well used and loved for 40 years, this Oughtred Guillemot will be rowed on the choppy waters of the Firth of Forth. Stretched to just over 12ft from Iain’s plans for an 11ft 6in dinghy, she has enough length now to allow a rower forward and passenger aft, with another midships, or she can be rowed, swiftly, by one rower sitting centrally.
‘The planking followed Iain’s lines to the letter, once they emerged from below the waterline. Drawn for plywood, there was no way the garboards in larch could match the plywood’s width. I must admit to giving her a little more freeboard forward, as I was concerned she might dip her bow when fully loaded and punching into a head sea. I am not convinced I should not have stuck ruthlessly to Iain’s plans, but where’s the fun in building a one-off boat in solid timber if you can’t tinker a wee bit?
‘With her white-painted bilges, well protected against the rain water that is destined to fill her on her mooring, and varnished topsides, she is a simple, unpretentious little rowing boat of the kind once thrown up in their hundreds and thousands. The finish is smart, but not fussy. You can see your face in the transom, but a little wrinklier than for real. I hope she’ll last looking this good. If she lasts as long as her predecessor, then I will be happy – and in my 90s!’
Many thanks Adrian. I hope you enjoy your weblog as much as I enjoy this one!
If either of these boat tickle your fancy or even meet your needs, contact Adrian via his website: www.viking-boats.com
