Near completed motor boat project for quick sale

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Fowey boat builder Marcus Lewis put me on to this one – the story goes that Marion Mayhew’s husband of 45 years died from cancer earlier this year, leaving a boat he had been working on for 10 years – and it’s now for sale before the yard where it’s lying (near Ely) takes it for scrap.

Marion, though, would love it to go to someone who would complete it and use it.

It might just be what someone wants – a not-quite-finished motor boat project that looks suitable for rivers and broads etc, including toilet and shower, galley and sleeping area, engine, batteries and trailer – and a trailer. I’m told the paintwork is particularly good as Mr Mayhew was a painter and decorator.

I can’t vouch for any of this as I don’t know Mrs Mayhew and haven’t seen the boat – but I think it might well be worth investigating. If you’re interested, write to me at gmatkin@gmail.com, and I’ll forward your message to Mrs Mayhew.

Orkney dinghy cruiser Mark Shiner’s Arctic Whaler in the limelight

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Mark Shiner and Arctic Whaler

Mark Shiner of Orkney has written to tell me that his cruising dinghy Arctic Whaler is having a definite 15 minutes of fame.

It doesn’t happen like this to many small boats!

It all began when he took his poet, novelist and musician friend Andrew Greig sailing to the abandoned island of Cava in Scapa Flow a few summers ago. On his return, Andrew wrote a book length sequence of poems and this in turn has become a stage play in the the hands of the Traverse Theatre Company, which opened at the Edinburgh Festival and is now touring in Scotland together with an art exhibition by Michael McDonnell from Shetland.

Mark says the book tells of how two ordinary guys, one approaching, one leaving middle-age, set out on a slightly mythologised micro-odyssey. It’s also got some good saily bits, he says. There are reviews here and here.

Photos from the play and (if you scroll down) a bit of video of Arctic Whaler sailing can be found here.

Btw… Mark’s beloved Arctic Whaler ‘the ultimate pre-RCD cruising dinghy’ will be up for sale in the coming winter, as Mark has decided to go up a boat size so that he can undertake some bigger adventures. If you’re interested, contact me at gmatkin@gmail.com and I’ll pass your message along to Mark.

 

 

32ft modern timber built sailing lugger for sale on eBay

Modern built sailing lugger for sale on eBAY

She looks nice and comfortable as well as good fun to sail, and she’s on eBay now. Go on – you know you want to!

My thanks to John Lockwood for alerting me to this one.