Category: Modern boatbuilding

Modern and plywood boatbuilding and plans

Don’t miss the new Dinghy Cruising Association website

Dinghy Cruising Association website

I’d like to draw readers’ attention to the Dinghy Cruising Association’s splendid new website http://dinghycruising.org.uk.

It has always been packed with goodies – articles on dinghy sailing and cruising, advice about techniques and equipment and the rest – but  it’s now much easier on the eye and includes some new sections, including a weblog and a section on the legends of dinghy sailing, including Frank Dye and well known Association members.

I should add, though, that the DCA’s wise webmaster has gone to some lengths to makes sure visitors to the site realise its as much for casual dinghy cruisers (like me) as it is for the fearless adventurer and the hardy folks who camp in small open boats.

One striking pieces of news I picked up on visiting today are that Essex small boat sailing legend Charles Stock has had to give up his boat Shoal Waters after 50 years of regular use – the boat has passed on to well known boating weblogger Creeksailor. (For more on Stock and Shoal Waters, click here and here.)

There are also items here about the Everglades Challenge, Ben Crawshaw’s continuing adventures with his boat Onawind Blue, two of the DCA’s annual awards and our friend Dylan Winter’s journey around Britain’s coastline.

If you’re still with me after all these links… I’d say the DCA’s site is well worth a visiting regularly: http://dinghycruising.org.uk

 

More of Matt Atkin’s painterly photographs – this time, from Mumbai

Matt Atkin's painterly photos of Mumbai

Matt Atkin's painterly photos of Mumbai Matt Atkin's painterly photos of Mumbai Matt Atkin's painterly photos of Mumbai

Matt Atkin's painterly photos of Mumbai Matt Atkin's painterly photos of Mumbai Matt Atkin's painterly photos of Mumbai

Matt Atkin's painterly photos of Mumbai Matt Atkin's painterly photos of Mumbai

I doubt many people who visit Mumbai take time out of their business or holiday schedule to photograph boats, but my brother Matt Atkin did so, and the results he came back with more than justify taking his beloved Leica down to the waterfront.

Quite a few of these shots would look well on an artist’s easel. Many thanks Matt! I’ll put some more of these photos up in the next few days.

There are many things to find in these shots but I’m struck by the craft, many of which have the tubby quality that’s typical of many beach boats including  those of the UK.

For more of Matt’s photos, click here (Vietnam), here (Vietnam), here (Thailand), here (Hong Kong), here (Hong Kong), here (Hong Kong), here (New Zealand) and here (New Zealand). It’s getting to be quite a collection.

 

Edo canoe enquiry

EDO canoe 4

EDO canoe 2 EDO canoe 3 EDO canoe 3

Someone called Marianne has written from the USA to ask if anyone can tell her more about a kayak she acquired recently. It bears the brand Edo Western Corp, Salt Lake City, UT, Model#8102, Serial #148.

From the Wikipedia and elsewhere she has learned that company founder Earl Dodge Osborn developed floats for seaplanes, among other boats, but has not been able to find out anything about this particular product, including when it was made – Marianne suspects it was made in the 1940’s or 50’s, although the person who sold kayak said it dated from 1963?

I think it’s a wonderful period piece by the way – just look at those handles at bows and stern! As usual, if you can help, please either email me at gmatkin@gmail.com or use the comment link below.