Unidentified sailing objects on the Swale

An intriguing boat moored near Faversham

An intriguing boat moored near Faversham

A mystery craft sails into Herne Bay

A mystery craft sails into Herne Bay

The first  looks as if it could be  Scottish to me but I don’t recall seeing her  in the area before – is she a fifie? I’d certainly like to know more.

The second is very  striking when seen from a distance. I’m pretty sure she’s the Colin Mudie-designed sharpie I’ve seen over-wintering at Faversham’s Iron Wharf in past years. If so, she’s working as a pleasure boat, and having seen her hull I can say that she bears a strong resemblance to the Nonpareil sharpies that Thomas Clapham designed and built all those years ago. There’s a short description of the Clapham’s Nonpareil boats  here at the Wikipedia. Now, I wonder whether I might be able to persuade the kids they would enjoy a trip in her next week?

Some news from my inbox

Norfolk Broads boats racing, photo by Robert Henson, image from the Wikipedia

Norfolk Broads boats racing, photo by Robert Henson, image from
the Wikipedia. This photo is from 2004, but could easily have been
taken fifty years ago. That’s part of the magic of The Broads

•Fifty years ago, schools on the Norfolk Broads were teaching kids to build boats.

A lifeboat restoration at Walton, Essex is nearing completion. Read more here.

•A large wooden powerboat takes shape in a boatbuilding revival at Leigh, Essex.

Paul Gartside’s 29ft pilot cutter built in Turkey

Paul Gartside\'s 29ft pilot cutter being built in Turkey

Paul Gartside\'s 29ft pilot cutter being built in Turkey

Paul Gartside\'s 29ft pilot cutter being built in Turkey

Pilot cutter being built by Cem Gür in Turkey

Cem Gür and colleagues at Classic Boat Turkiye continue to be busy – now they’re concentrating their efforts on this 29ft pilot cutter designed by Paul Gartside.

Cem has also promised us some sailing photos of the Thomas Gillmer-designed Blue Moons we have posted about recently – so look out all you Blue Moon fans!

Have you got a project or a story to tell that you’d like to see on intheboatshed.net?  Please email us now at gmatkin@gmail.com .