Photos by Paul Dyer, Jonathan Hall and Jenny Steer
A 15ft 2in Whilly Tern double-ended beach boat built to Iain Oughtred’s well known plans was among the boats launched at the Boat Building Academy’s latest launch day.
Built by Nick Wunderly helped by Chris Webster, this double-ended beachboat has a laminated black walnut centreline and her hull is cold moulded using three layers of veneers. The inner hull is made of quarter-sawn larch veneers and the outer two layers are khaya.
The beachboat was sheathed in glass fibre and epoxy, bright finished on the inside and painted on the outside. She has a gunter sloop rig with Douglas fir spars and sails made by Elvstrom Sails.
Nick has a degree in politics and political history from London Guildhall University and a master’s degree in politics. For thirteen years he worked in the Civil Service in project and programme manager roles. However, over three years Nick completely renovated his home in his spare time, and in doing so realised he enjoyed working with his hands, and decided it was time for a change.
Chris Webster worked alongside Nick as well as working on each of eight boats constructed by the class.
Chris joined the Academy from the Scottish Highlands where he worked as a senior instructor at the Outward Bound Trust. The Trust is an educational charity that uses challenging outdoor courses to help develop young people from all walks of life. He has qualifications in mountain leading, climbing, sea kayaking and open canoe leading and has also taken RYA powerboat and day skipper courses.
See the Whilly Tern boat building diary at the BBA’s website.