Gavin Atkin's weblog for the sort of people who like looking inside boat sheds. It's about old boats, traditional boats, boat building, restoration, the sea and the North Kent Coast
Traditional carvel plans and boatbuilding
Fowey boatbuilder Marcus Lewis builds a Mayflower dinghy.
I don’t know how I missed this before – it might have been because the Traditional Maritime Skills people and I have been rather slow to make a connection. Still, they say say they’ve put me on their mailing list now.
They have an excellent set of videos on Youtube, including another timelapse presentation, this time of the building of the Grayhound.
This photo shows their first student launch day of a new international boat building school at Mesquer in the Loire-Atlantique department of France – François Vivier told us last year that it was being established and that he was associated with it.
Skol ar Mor is led by a boat builder from the USA, Mike Newmeyer, and recently celebrated the opening of its premises, a restored salt warehouse.
Read all about it at François’ weblog Boats to make the sea more beautiful – the relevant posts are here and here.
By the way, the sweet little grey skiff in the photo is a Vivier design – the Charlotte skiff.
Also, see videos here, here and here.
Chris Partridge was mightily impressed by the Stirling & Son-built 43ft gentleman’s racing cutter named Integrity at the Southampton Boat Show, and took these photos.
‘The boat is really lovely, superb craftsmanship and materials and supremely stylish with it. I definitely can’t afford to buy Integrity, but now I really want one of Stirling’s little rowing boats. Even for one of them, Ernie will have to oblige, however… ‘
Rowing for Pleasure weblogger Chris normally responds to sailing boats in a measured kind of way – for him a boat without oars is something of a missed opportunity, so this is pretty high praise.
I guess he must also have been impressed with what I think must be the poshest jakes ever seen afloat.
Integrity is for sale through brokers Sandeman Yacht Company – do check the company’s sales details as they include a stunning set of photos.
Many thanks for the photos Chris.
I should mention that Stirlings supply sets of plans for many of the craft they build.