Category: River boats

Restored Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II back on the water

Jamesia II afloat April 2011

Restored Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II back on the water. Click on the image for a larger shot

Mat Gravener has sent us this shot of his repaired and restored Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II back on the water following lots of work over the winter. She’s certainly looking as pretty as a picture.

Mat reports that she was launched on the 23rd April 2011 and immediately floated on her marks. She took on a little water but, as he says, that was to be expected after being out of it since 2004!

He then sailed her back to her moorings and found she performed very well, even with just the mainsail set.

For more posts featuring Jamesia II and Mat’s earlier projects, click here.

 

Pete Williamson’s amazing photos of boats and boatbuilding in Vietnam

Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders

Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders

Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders

Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders

Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders Pete Williamson's photos of Vietnam boats and boatbuilders

This remarkable set of photographs from a boatyard on the Vietnamese island of Kim Bong were taken by Pete Williamson recently while on holiday in the area. They are published with his permission.

Here’s what he says:

‘The islands of Kim Bong and Thanh Ha on the Thu Bon river near Hoi An are I believe subsidised to preserve the crafts and way of life of the people, and are a major tourist attraction.

‘The wooden boat would apparently take three months to build, and sell for $1000 US!

‘The ”coracles” are in some ways similar to Welsh coracles, but lack the plank seat, have a woven skin and are propelled by rocking rather than paddled. They are apparently raced but are also used to remove the fish caught in the large nets seen in the river.

‘Regards, Pete’

Thanks Pete! Some great shots of boatbuilding in Vietnam here – the net is particularly beautiful, and the boats themselves are extraordinary – I’ve never seen trunnels used this way before, except as a way of demonstrating that it’s possible.

In fact I’ve recently been given a number of photos from Vietnam, and will post some more of them shortly.

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.