BBA students launch racy Wolstenholme Mallard dinghy

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andrew wolstenholme , boat building academy , dinghy , dominic frankis , epo,y ply , glued clinker , Lyme , mallard , mallard dinghy , steve bramley , students

andrew wolstenholme , boat building academy , dinghy , dominic frankis , epo,y ply , glued clinker , Lyme , mallard , mallard dinghy , steve bramley , students andrew wolstenholme , boat building academy , dinghy , dominic frankis , epo,y ply , glued clinker , Lyme , mallard , mallard dinghy , steve bramley , students

Another boat launched at Lyme Regis Harbour by Boat Building Academy students this summer was an Andrew Wolstenholme-designed 12ft 5in glued clinker Mallard dinghy.

Named Born Slippy, she was built by Dominic Frankis and Steve Bramley, along with other students.

Dominic took a sabbatical from work in London as a management consultant in the health sector. He’s never sailed before but now has no excuse. Now back behind his desk, he also says it’s only a matter of time before he’ll be boatbuilding again.

Steve worked as a tree surgeon and builder before joining the course, and is now using the skills he gained on the course to renovate a house.

The Mallard should prove to be a lot of fun; the rigging is more modern than is usually employed on these Mallard dinghies, which the Boat Building Academy folks say makes it quite a racy little sail boat.

Nick Smith starts planking his latest 20ft motor launch project

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boatbuilder, clinker, fishing boat, motor launch, Nick Smith, planking, west country, Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association, WBTA

boatbuilder, clinker, fishing boat, motor launch, Nick Smith, planking, west country, Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association, WBTA boatbuilder, clinker, fishing boat, motor launch, Nick Smith, planking, west country, Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association, WBTA boatbuilder, clinker, fishing boat, motor launch, Nick Smith, planking, west country, Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association, WBTA

boatbuilder, clinker, fishing boat, motor launch, Nick Smith, planking, west country, Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association, WBTA

Nick Smith’s building a new copy of the 20ft motor launch Bamboo Viper he made some time ago.

The latest boat is for a customer who lives on Hayling Island and will be 20ft 4in overall. She will have a Yanmar 15Hp inboard, and khaya mahogany planking on New Forest oak.

The earlier photos reveal how he set out the plank runs for the new boat, while the rest show planks going into place – in another few days it will be time to get his gang together to steam out the ribs.

But first he’ll have to drill holes for the rib nails, mark the bilge level inside, prime the inside, spike the nails, and get a good stock of straight-grained knot-free green oak for the frames, and, of course, set up the steam box.

The photo of Bamboo Viper below shows what the finished boat will look like.

Nick Smith west country style motor launch Bamboo Viper

Bamboo Viper built by Nick Smith – the new boat will be very similar

Click here for more posts relating to Nick’s impressive old-fashioned motor launches.

Nick, who is a WBTA member, comes from Devon, learned boatbuilding the traditional way and specialises in new builds in clinker and carvel for sail, motor and rowing power from 8ft to 28ft with a special emphasis on West Country style and design, and also takes on repairs and refits from 25ft to 50ft. These days he’s based in Hampshire, and can be contacted by email at nick_smith_boatbuilder@yahoo.com and by phone on phone on 07786 693370.

Photographs of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

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Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

Fowey boatbuilder Marcus Lewis went to this years Thames Traditional Boat Rally and kindly sent me these shots – he knew in advance that I wouldn’t be able to attend myself.

Here’s what he had to say about them:

‘Hi, I thought I would send you some pictures of the Henley rally in case you were short of material this week!

It was super weather, bright sunshine some of the time, with a breeze on the river (bit more on Sunday) and the atmosphere was very relaxed and calm, no-one getting their knickers twisted!

There was a marvellous selection of craft, a large collection of Dunkirk Little Ships – even a motor launch that used to ferry passengers from Fowey to Bodinnick – and a very good commentary from people who clearly know the boats, the owners, and what they can get away with commenting on!

The boat jumble was ok, not over-busy, but there were a few treasures to be found if you were looking.

The illuminated parade was a little under-subscribed, but those that took part really made an effort.

An excellent event that was blessed with fine weather, and the red kites soaring overhead gave something for my partner Sue to watch when she got tired of looking at the boats!

Cheers, Marcus‘

Many thanks Marcus! It looks a very jolly party – I really must go along some time. I only have one concern: what exactly are the rules about how to dress for the occasion?