Category: History

Nick Smith starts planking his latest 20ft motor launch project

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boatbuilder, clinker, fishing boat, motor launch, Nick Smith, planking, west country, Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association, WBTA

boatbuilder, clinker, fishing boat, motor launch, Nick Smith, planking, west country, Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association, WBTA boatbuilder, clinker, fishing boat, motor launch, Nick Smith, planking, west country, Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association, WBTA boatbuilder, clinker, fishing boat, motor launch, Nick Smith, planking, west country, Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association, WBTA

boatbuilder, clinker, fishing boat, motor launch, Nick Smith, planking, west country, Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association, WBTA

Nick Smith’s building a new copy of the 20ft motor launch Bamboo Viper he made some time ago.

The latest boat is for a customer who lives on Hayling Island and will be 20ft 4in overall. She will have a Yanmar 15Hp inboard, and khaya mahogany planking on New Forest oak.

The earlier photos reveal how he set out the plank runs for the new boat, while the rest show planks going into place – in another few days it will be time to get his gang together to steam out the ribs.

But first he’ll have to drill holes for the rib nails, mark the bilge level inside, prime the inside, spike the nails, and get a good stock of straight-grained knot-free green oak for the frames, and, of course, set up the steam box.

The photo of Bamboo Viper below shows what the finished boat will look like.

Nick Smith west country style motor launch Bamboo Viper

Bamboo Viper built by Nick Smith – the new boat will be very similar

Click here for more posts relating to Nick’s impressive old-fashioned motor launches.

Nick, who is a WBTA member, comes from Devon, learned boatbuilding the traditional way and specialises in new builds in clinker and carvel for sail, motor and rowing power from 8ft to 28ft with a special emphasis on West Country style and design, and also takes on repairs and refits from 25ft to 50ft. These days he’s based in Hampshire, and can be contacted by email at nick_smith_boatbuilder@yahoo.com and by phone on phone on 07786 693370.

Photographs of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

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Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

Fowey boatbuilder Marcus Lewis went to this years Thames Traditional Boat Rally and kindly sent me these shots – he knew in advance that I wouldn’t be able to attend myself.

Here’s what he had to say about them:

‘Hi, I thought I would send you some pictures of the Henley rally in case you were short of material this week!

It was super weather, bright sunshine some of the time, with a breeze on the river (bit more on Sunday) and the atmosphere was very relaxed and calm, no-one getting their knickers twisted!

There was a marvellous selection of craft, a large collection of Dunkirk Little Ships – even a motor launch that used to ferry passengers from Fowey to Bodinnick – and a very good commentary from people who clearly know the boats, the owners, and what they can get away with commenting on!

The boat jumble was ok, not over-busy, but there were a few treasures to be found if you were looking.

The illuminated parade was a little under-subscribed, but those that took part really made an effort.

An excellent event that was blessed with fine weather, and the red kites soaring overhead gave something for my partner Sue to watch when she got tired of looking at the boats!

Cheers, Marcus‘

Many thanks Marcus! It looks a very jolly party – I really must go along some time. I only have one concern: what exactly are the rules about how to dress for the occasion?

BBA student to build replica of Dorset crab and lobster fishing boat Witch of Worbarrow

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Witch of Worbarrow Dorset crab and lobster fishing boat

Witch of Worbarrow

A student at the Boat Building Academy is appealing for information and old photos relating to the Witch of Worbarrow, built in Weymouth in around 1902.

Student Ian Baird is building a replica of the rare Dorset crab and lobster fishing boat as part of his 38-week boat building training.

Now in the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, the original boat was rowed from Weymouth to Worbarrow Bay by Jack and Tom Miller, where it worked the crab and lobster grounds for many years, before becoming a gaff-rigged pleasure boat. In 1979 she was bequeathed to the National Maritime Museum by her late owner, Philip Draper of Arne, near Wareham. She is of historical interest because she is believed to be the only boat of her type still surviving.

Ian says that he wanted to build something that was unusual and local to his home county of Dorset. Recreating Witch of Worbarrow offers just that opportunity, and he wants to know much more about her history and the people who worked in her.

‘Apart from her life in Weymouth Bay and Poole Harbour we also know that she spent some time in Southampton Water or the Solent as there are old pictures of her close to the bows of the Queen Mary at Southampton,’ he says.

The project has attracted great interest from the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, which is planning to put the new boat on display alongside the original. The museum’s interest is that the original Witch is far too old to put on the water: ‘We don’t really know how she would have behaved on the water,’ says curator of boats Andy Wyke. ‘Ian’s reconstruction of the boat, which will follow as closely as possible to the original, will help us to learn a great deal about this historic fishing boat.’