If you’re in the area and would like to get your head around navigating by the moon and stars, this could be your chance – and it’s free. I love modern navigation equipment, but wouldn’t it be better to find your way using the old methods also?
Category: Techniques
Boat Building Academy students launch a sleek cold-moulded kayak
Students Ewan Thomson and Patrick Hughes built this cold-moulded 19.6 by 1.4ft fast touring kayak, ready to hit the water at the Boat Building Academy’s December student launch.
Ewan, who is from Isle of Skye, has worked in various practical roles from timber framing and gardening to boat repair, but it was the latter that grabbed his attention after he fitted out a plastic dinghy, repaired a clinker boat, did some boat painting and a spot of fibreglassing.
He then joined the BBA’s 38-week course to gain more experience with different construction types and designs.
A keen kayaker, Ewan had seen a kayak that he wanted to adapt and build as a prototype for a potential business and with help from group lead instructor Mike Broome he drew up new plans.
The finished kayak is made from 1.5mm sapele veneers – not an easy material to work with in so slender a hull form – and is finished bright.
Ewan’s next project is a GRP Orkney longliner, but he also hopes to start his own business on Skye and build more kayaks. Academy staff report that he feels a sense of relief that he now has the skills he needs to start a business of his own.
Fellow student Patrick’s background is in graphic design and communications. He joined the long course after completing the eight-week woodworking skills course, during which he was impressed by the achievements of some of the students on the 38-week course. I gather Pat now plans to start his own business, offering boat repairs, maintenance and storage in France.
A photo diary of the build can be found here.
Boat Building Academy students launch an adapted Iain Oughtred Fulmar
As the champagne flowed at the 30th Boat Building Academy celebrated 38-week ‘long course’ student launch, this 16ft 8in Iain Oughtred-designed Fulmar was the first boat to hit the water.
Here’s what the academy’s Emma Brice has to say:
The owner of the boat is student Scott Russell, who was helped closely by Jade Randell. Students on the long course build a range of boats, which are then owned by students who pay for the materials at cost.
The Fulmar was named Florence after Jade’s new-born daughter, who was expected on launch day but arrived a week early.
The floating Florence is plan 43 in the Iain Oughtred catalogue, hence the sail number. Built from glued clinker ply construction with a sapele fit-out, the boat has been modified slightly with a small tumblehome to the after sections of the boat, and a deck. Scott and Jade also made a carbon-fibre centreboard and rudder.
Scott chose the Fulmar for its elegant lines and wanted a boat he could take his family (wife, three children and little dog) out on boat trips, picnicking and night-camping expeditions.
The boat will be kept at Portsmouth Harbour, and he hopes sailing it will provide opportunities to meet old and new academy friends.
Elvstrom Sails managing director Jeremy White, who is also the academy’s sailmaking instructor, said he initially thought the usual tan or cream Dacron sails would been the obvious choice for the boat. However, when he saw the light-weight centreboard and rudder he realised the boat would be quite tender, and so recommended black Technora Film sails, which are be a third the weight of Dacron and produce less heeling moment.
Another modern feature is the sail shape. ‘Because Scott will be sailing mainly with his young family, in order to maximise performance, I built the mainsail with a square top,’ said Jeremy.
‘To my knowledge this is the first ever square-topped gunter rig’.
Jeremy was on board Florence during her maiden voyage: ‘We were hit by a huge gust, but the boat behaved impeccably and we bore off onto the plane – she’s a modern classic’.
Scott had served 23 years as a chief artificer in the Royal Navy stationed at Gosport before joining the course at the BBA. He is one of many who have used the forces’ enhanced learning credits (ELC) system to fund part of the course. The aim of the ELC is to help leaving service men to return to civilian life.
Scott’s determination and often infectious craziness promises great things. He is currently looking into designing and building innovative wooden festival sleeping ‘pods’ with fellow course student Will Hide.
Jade joined the academy looking for a new challenge after 20 years working in the construction industry. Jade loves the sea and wanted to learn a skill that would allow him to live and work by the coast, and spend time surfing.
With his new daughter, Jade is taking time to rest before the New Year, and hopes to become a self-employed boat builder, perhaps finding work in traditional boat yards in the southwest to start. He will also help his wife with home interiors work, combining his joinery skills with her leather works business.
There were mixed feelings when we spoke to students days before the launch. For Jade the course had provided a refreshing break from the routine and monotony of daily life and was sad that the student group were not to be working together any longer.
Scott was elated to have built such a complex project but saddened to be leaving what he called ‘the wonderful environment’ of the BBA.