Boat Building Academy student James Dickson built this pea green Selway-Fisher designed sailing dinghy together with another student Simon Swindells while on the BBA’s long course starting in September last year.
The photos are by Janine Cashin, Paul Dyer, Becky Joseph and Jenny Steer.
The 12ft6in Selway-Fisher Northumbrian Coble was built using glued clinker construction and is planked in Robbins Elite marine ply. All other solid timber parts are made of iroko apart from the spars, which are made of sitka spruce.
James, who was previously a partner in a prominent Scottish law firm, is from a long line of Eyemouth fishermen, and chose the Selway-Fisher design because it allowed him to build a boat in a modern way, but reminded him of a traditional coble.
Simon from London, has worked in sales for the last 20 years but tired by being ‘only being as good as your last month’, joined the Academy to start a new practical career.
The coble has been named Star of Hope after a fishing boat James’ family owned in the 50’s and 60’s, and which he believes is currently being used as a sailing charter in Rostock on the Baltic.
The newest Star of Hope capsized fully three times on launch day, ducking James and crew – though when they rowed themselves back to harbour they reported that this had more to do with human error than the weather or the boat .
Neither James nor Simon have yet decided what they’ll do next, but are exploring different opportunities in woodworking and boat building. Meanwhile, Star of Hope is to be used as often as possible for fun with family and friends.