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Eric Allen builds and sails a model Ella skiff

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Nereid model of Gavin Atkin Ella skiff

Nereid model of Gavin Atkin Ella skif Nereid model of Gavin Atkin Ella skif

Eric Allen took these photos of a model he made using my Ella skiff boat plans – and I think it’s rather cute. He calls it Nereid, and here’s what he had to say about it:

‘I recently built a somewhat modified Ella skiff sailing version model, and figured you would appreciate hearing about it (as it is built from your design). I tweaked it to give it a Marconi rig and a jib, and added an over-sized bronze keel.

It was built on the cheap, and I have precious little experience, so it may not be the prettiest, best constructed, or most finished model, but it actually does sail. Quite well, in fact. It loves to beam-reach, and can really zip if it catches the wind on a broad-reach.

I am glad I found your website. I was looking for plans to build a simple yet nice-looking free-sailing model, and your plans fit my needs perfectly. Thank you for such a useful site and such well laid-out, logical, and easy to follow plans.

Sincerely,

Eric Allen’

Well done and thanks Eric – receiving something like this is a great start to a day.

For more on the Ella skiff, including the full-size and model plans for both the rowing and sailing version, click here and here.

PS Have you used the little logos below yet? They allow you to share this post via Twitter or Facebook, save the link in Google or your own web browser, and finally you can email the link to a friend. Handy, I’d say…

Michael Kahn’s marine photos on show at Penobscot Marine Museum

Michael Kahn brings an element of abstraction to the windjammer exhibit at Penobscot Marine Museum

Michael Kahn brings an element of abstraction to the windjammer exhibit at Penobscot Marine Museum Michael Kahn brings an element of abstraction to the windjammer exhibit at Penobscot Marine Museum Michael Kahn brings an element of abstraction to the windjammer exhibit at Penobscot Marine Museum

Michael Kahn brings an element of abstraction to the windjammer exhibit at Penobscot Marine Museum

Michael Kahn’s stylish black and white marine photography is on show at the Penobscot Marine Museum until the 24th August

This striking shot is one of a collection of beautiful and smoothly textured photos by Michael Kahn currently on show at the Penobscot Marine Museum as part of its continuing exhibition Earning their keep: Maine’s windjammers.

Kahn, you won’t be surprised to learn, is captivated by boats. ‘Seldom in man’s history have we created something as beautiful and as functional as the  sailboat,’ he is reported to have said. ‘These boats symbolize more than just basic transportation. They represent the ability of man to work with nature. To harness the power of the wind and endure the strength of the sea is an awesome achievement.’

If you’re wondering about the rich texture of the image above, I gather it’s a Kahn  trademark and that his images are hand-processed gelatin silver prints. I think this man’s eye is just as impressive – see how the dinghy is moored to the sailing ship’s dophin striker, and how it’s partly framed by the bowsprit – and having clocked that, notice the delicious reflection on the water.

The museum’s press officer, who happens to be my friend Bob Holtzman, adds that Kahn’s work has appeared in a wide variety of magazines ranging from Cruising World and Family Circle to the New York Times. His work even made an appearance in the James Bond movie Die Another Day.

For more information, see the museum’s website. A book of Michael’s photos is also available from Amazon: The Spirit of Sailing: A Celebration of Sea and Sail.

PS Have you used the little logos below yet? They allow you to share this post via Twitter or Facebook, save the link in Google or your own web browser, and finally you can email the link to a friend. Handy, I’d say…

Tiernan Roe starts work on a Karl Stambaugh Catbird 16 small cruising sharpie

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Tiernan Roe, South-West Ireland, boatbuilder, John Atkin, Ninigret, Wooden Boat magazine, Karl Stambaugh, Catbird 16, Galway Bay, WP Stephens, canoe yawl, roeboats, weblog

It may not look like much at the moment, but this is the very beginning of a new project for Tiernan Roe. Tiernan is a South-West Ireland-based boatbuilder who has recently received a huge amount of positive coverage for a beautiful John Atkin-designed Ninigret 22 he built for a client.

The acclaim has come from quite a variety of sources, including the hard to please Wooden Boat magazine.

Here’s what Tiernan has to say:

‘Just thought you might like to know what I’m up to at the moment. I’ve started building a Karl Stambaugh-designed Catbird 16 cruising sharpie for a client to use on Galway Bay.

It’s to be a ‘sailaway’, as they say – so the client will be doing the rigging and painting. Oh joy!

I’ve attached a few photos of setting up the frames, and I’m hoping to do a bit of a stop motion video when I’m finished and when I get the time.

I hope all is well with you. As always I’m enjoying intheboatshed – only last night reading I was reading about canoe yawls in WP Stephens’ book, and now all I have to do is find a client who wants one.

Anyway if you have any queries etc. don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Teirnan’

Click here for Tiernan’s weblog. For  information about Karl Stambaugh’s Catbird 16, click here.