Category: Racing sailing craft

Splendid 1898 racer Aoma for sale in New Zealand

Aoma

THIS BOAT HAS NOW BEEN SOLD

Mike Black owner of the 1898 New Zealand classic racer Aoma has asked us to draw attention to the fact that the lovely old boat needs new owners who can restor her back to her old glory.

Built by Logan’s Aoma was one of the champion 30ft Linear Raters (other examples are Heather [renamed Ranee], Sunbeam, Petrel and Culwalla I [renamed Yuelba]), which dominated elite class racing on Sydney Harbour for years.

Constructed for the famous Sydney yachtsman CT Brockhoff, Aoma raced to her first win in her maiden race, and later won the prestigious Gascoigne Cup in 1905.

She has a triple-planked kauri hull, with the gaff rig and bowsprit typical of her era. Her hull is in great condition – it was Dynel sheathed 20 years ago and is still water-tight –

Along the way a few changes have been made; she has been adapted for the cruising life by raising her freeboard by three planks, fitting a 35hp BMW diesel, and adding wheel steering and a new coach-house. Her rudder has also been enlarged.

Aoma needs a new lease of life, maybe from a syndicate who could put the time and funds into her, and Mike is keen to see her restored to something like her original racing condition, so I don’t think he will be looking for a high price. I also gather that as a Logan boat, Aoma is regarded as part of New Zealand’s heritage and must remain in the country in the long term.

There’s more information here, and Mike can be contacted at info@blackchiropractic.com.au.

Marcus Lewis makes progress with Mayflower dinghy to be shown at the Southampton Boat Show

Marcus Lewis Boat Builder Mayflower dinghy Marcus Lewis Boat Builder Mayflower dinghy

Marcus Lewis Boat Builder Mayflower dinghy Marcus Lewis Boat Builder Mayflower dinghy

Fowey, Cornwall boat builder Marcus Lewis has sent in some photos of his latest project, a 14ft Mayflower dinghy that he’s currently building to take to the Southampton Boat Show.

Mayflowers, which are gunter-rigged and have steel centreplates, were formerly made in Plymouth by Skentlebery’s. If this sounds like the boat you’re looking for, I’d contact him soon as it might well sell at the show!

Meanwhile, those who saw the last set of photos from Marcus may be pleased to know that the newest Fowey River dinghy, No 61, swept the board in its class with eight wins in eight races. We were told that the folks that commissioned the boat were experienced racers, but Marcus will have every reason to be delighted with such success.

PS On the 4th September local small boat sailors have organised their two-yearly Try a Troy Day. Everyone’s invited to turn up to the Fowey Gallants Sailing Club between 10.30 and 2.30 to be taken out for a sail in a Troy, completely free – donations to junior sailing at the club will be accepted however! Marcus says that they usually get 100-120 people turning up, and that it’s a really great day, weather permitting!

Try a Troy at the Fowey Gallants Sailing Club poster

Adam Newton of Beer, Devon builds a gorgeous 12ft glued clinker rowing skiff

Adam Newton 12ft rowing boat Morning Glory Adam Newton 12ft rowing boat Morning Glory at Beer

New intheboatshed.net reader Adam Newton of the Boatyard at Beer has written to tell us about a clinker built rowing boat he has constructed. As usual, click on the images for a much bigger photo.

Here’s what Adam says about the boat:

‘I have just stumbled across your website and found it very interesting. I’ve just launched my 12ft glued clinker rowing boat Morning Glory which I built over the winter months. She is based on a Shaldon Regatta rowing boat used at local regattas, the design of which Phil Morrison, a designer of Salcombe yawls, Merlin Rockets and many more dinghies, altered to my requirements. (There’s a great article about the Shaldon Regatta here.)

I had a Shaldon Regatta and they are a very good all round boat, easy to row, stable and light enough to pull up and down the beach. There’s an article about the regatta on www.swmaritime.org.uk website.

I had been thinking about building a wooden rowing boat for a few years and finaly got round to doing it. The regatta is 11ft with a 4.6ft beam and a 3ft transom but i fancied something a bit racier hence the 12ft-4ft-2ft measurments of Morning Glory which I’m calling a Beer 12 design, as I live in Beer, East Devon.

‘The planks are spruce with oak ribs and mahogany seats and gunwales. I just intend to row it around the bay at Beer, but it’s also light enough (51kg) to put on the roof of my car and to go for a jolly elsewhere. You can’t beat an early morning row with the sun on your back, and she is a pleasure to row.’

I don’t doubt it! Thanks for the story Adam – any time you and your pals in Devon have something to share with intheboatshed.net readers, please let me know at gmatkin@gmail.com.

PS – Adam has kindly sent me these photos of Morning Glory’s build. Thanks again Adam!

'Beer 12' Morning Glory built by Adam Newton  'Beer 12' Morning Glory built by Adam Newton 'Beer 12' Morning Glory built by Adam Newton 'Beer 12' Morning Glory built by Adam Newton 'Beer 12' Morning Glory built by Adam Newton 'Beer 12' Morning Glory built by Adam Newton 'Beer 12' Morning Glory built by Adam Newton 'Beer 12' Morning Glory built by Adam Newton 'Beer 12' Morning Glory built by Adam Newton