Category: wooden boat

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.

 

Launch day approaches for Mat Gravener’s Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II

Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II

Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II

Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II

 

Joe Farrow has kindly sent in an update of the progress Mat Gravener has made in restoring and repairing the Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II. As usual, click on the photos above for bigger images.

For an earlier post about this boat, click here, and for a post about Mat’s earlier restoration of a Broads sailing cruiser, click here.

I gather Jamesia will be afloat and sailing in a week or two from now, and Joe has promised to take some photos for us.

Here’s Joe’s explanation of each shot, starting from the top left:

  • port side planks epoxy splined – the photo shows them being glued (the impromptu clamps holding them in place are to be removed once glue has set)
  • this plank on the starboard side was constructed of a number of different lengths, and Mat decided in the end to go for one full length piece. This shot shows the plank removed ready for the new plank
  • et voila! One new plank!
  • plank all scarfed together, and fastened in place.
  • the hull filled and faired, and given three coats of undercoat.
  • next to receive attention is the interior; hirers used to sleeping on board under this cuddy
  • Mat re-created the old bench seating using mainly reclaimed mahogany from an old river cruiser
  • he has also added a new locker, and the photo gives a general view of how the lino deck has cleaned up beautifully, and how the insides of the planks have been painted to match
  • finally, the cuddy roof has had three coats of paint – it’s the traditional deck construction of painted canvas over tongue and  groove planking

Many thanks Joe!

 

The magnificent Excelsior

Fishing trawler Excelsior all sail set

Sailing trawler Excelsior motoring Sailing trawler Excelsior motoring Sailing trawler Excelsior bows down and bustling on

Magnificent. Bloody marvellous. Splendid. Ordinary, mortal words seem inadequate to describe LT472, a 77ft smack built at Lowestoft in 1921 and named Excelsior.

She’s said to be only fully sea-going sailing vessel in the National Historic Ships Core Collection that is available for the general public to sail. Read all about her here: www.excelsiortrust.co.uk .