Fowey-based traditional boat builder Marcus Lewis sent over this clutch of photos of two new Fowey River dinghies that he built over the winter, and which were launched over the last couple of weeks
FR 63 Kittiwake and FR 64 May both had their maiden voyages on the River Fowey and will be kept and raced locally; Marcus comments that the sails owners specify for these boats seem to get more colourful with every new boat!
The launch of Kittiwake was accompanied by a dolphin swimming in the river – although I gather Marcus had quite some difficulty grabbing a shot to prove it.
Marcus is busy scraping, sanding, painting, varnishing and launching Troy Class Yachts and other dinghies for the season at the moment, but is looking forward to starting restoration work on a 1938 Uffa King National 12 that is about to arrive in his workshop.
I’ll post photos about the new project as soon as I have them, together with some historical information about the boats.
Slightly off topic. I have a Fowey River Boat approx 19 feet LOA built by A.H Watty of Fowey about 50 years ago. It had planks stoved in off Looe Island and was dumped on the beach there. A long time ago now I rescued it refurbed it and used it for a while then having purchased a Drascombe ceased. I want no money for it and if it were of use as a model for lines etc would be happy to pass it on. Can you suggest who I could contact?
Hi John – you might speak with Marcus Lewis – he’s a Fowey-based boatbuilder and might have a few ideas.
Gavin