Tag: Devon

18ft clinker built fishing boat for sale, Devon

Alex Mears of Seaton, Devon-based boat builders HJ Mears and Son has written to let us know that one of the company’s long-term customers is selling his 18ft clinker-built fishing boat.

Built by HJ Mears in 1980, she is built from wych elm on English oak ribs. Alex says she’s very full – as the photos show – and perhaps two planks higher than most 18ft boats, which he says provides plenty of freeboard and safety.

She has been stored in a barn during the off-season, and has a Bukh DV20 twin cylinder inboard engine, a bespoke twin axle trailer, and a cover and mast.

The owner is asking £8,750 and she is available to view at HJ Mears’ yard.

HJ Mears are currently finishing off a 16ft Beer lugger for a customer  – and we’re promised some photos soon…

The year at HJ Mears of Seaton, Devon

Alex and Paul Mears of the long established Seaton, Devon boatyard HJ Mears have written to tell us about their year. Follow the link for some history, boats for sale (including a nice small yacht… ) and some nice photos among other things.

‘We’ve been fortunate to have had a rather hectic year; so I thought I’d update you and your readers on some of our projects.

‘The first one to be completed earlier in the year was our 25ft clinker launch Tarka.

Her owner has had a cracking season exploring the river Dart and going further afield. She is certainly distinctive among the GRP of modern day marinas – and is ven distinctive when set among other wooden boats. Mears builds traditional clinker boats that are strong enough for beach launching day after day, and also very seaworthy. Beamy, strong and very capable, they can provide a versatile platform for a lifetime of boating.

The next completion was, dare I say it here, a Cygnus 21ft GRP fishing boat for a local single-handed fishermen in Axmouth Harbour- in the photo she is in the background, while in the foreground is one of our 16ft Beer lugger launches from the 1980s.

We had a lovely surprise when one of our 10ft clinker dinghies from the 1940s turned up for restoration.

She needed several planks (the elm was difficult to source!) and ribs, then a full strip down and finish. The owner was delighted how she was brought back to life at a approximate age of 70 years!

We then had a full restoration on a local 19ft GRP fishing boat. She arrived in an awful state but is now back out fishing safely with many more years service to clock up.

One of our current jobs is to pop a tidy little Beta engine in a boat we built in the 1960s. This will give her a new lease of life and offer the owner peace of mind.

We have a variety of jobs in the pipeline including one of our 16ft clinker launches suitable for use as a Beer lugger. She is at her most beautiful stage where the planking and ribs are all visible, the next stage is the strengthening structure.

Wishing all your readers a great Christmas and a prosperous 2016!

Alex and Paul’

HJ Mears Boat Builders work on a mahogany 25ft clinker-built motor launch

Alex Mears of HJ Mears & Son of Seaton in Devon has written to say that the 25ft mahogany clinker built motor launch they’re working on, Tarka, is coming along well.

You don’t see boats like this too often!

‘I’ve attached some photos of where she’s at currently. The owner has added a fair few extras compared to the original brief – laid decks, solid wood windbreaker/cuddy, but fortunately they appreciate that these extra tasks take extra time, which is especially important when the workload is heavy as usual at this busy time of year!

‘The Beta inboard engine has arrived and we’ve offered it up to the engine beds so the shaft, coupling, prop can now be ordered to correct sizes.

‘There is still an awful lot of varnishing to do (we’ve used over 3 gallons so far and that’s prior to thinning!).

‘The sea toilet and storage tank should be arriving this week. The sink and cooker have been offered up in the galley. The rudder, tiller, floorboards and various hatches are currently being decorated, which takes up a lot of time as the workshop has to limit the dusty work while decorating is going on, so we  we try to do that work at the weekends.

‘She is destined to spend this season on one of our swinging moorings on the River Axe, then next year she’ll head to Kingswear. I think the owner would like a brief change of scene but personally I think the River Dart has a lot to offer!

‘We’ve had a lot of interest from people; visitors to the yard, tweets, e-mails and phone calls; everyone appreciates a classic wooden boat, but not everybody wants one though!

‘Anyway I’ll keep you updated with progress.

‘Take care and keep up the good work, Alex’

Thanks Alex!