Gavin Atkin's weblog for the sort of people who like looking inside boat sheds. It's about old boats, traditional boats, boat building, restoration, the sea and the North Kent Coast
There’s a high definition version featuring different music here. The film was taken by Troy class racing yacht skipper John Forsyth, who captured his material by strapping a camera to various parts of his boat.
We’re glad he did. My thanks to Fowey traditional boat builder Marcus Lewis for pointing out this one!
PS –Max, who writes the Bursledon Blog has a post on the Troys, and a few nice photos.
The Bristol Channel pilot cutters were tied up at Fowey for a meet on Thursday – so local boat builder Marcus Lewis took the opportunity take these photographs.
Almost half, he says, are Luke Powell’s modern creations. However, among them was Cornubia (ex Hirta) built at Polruan in 1911 by J Slade and Sons.
Thanks for the shots Marcus!
Pilot cutter enthusiasts will be interested to know that Luke Powell’s new book Working Sail is due to be published in a limited edition of 1,000 copies in October. It’s priced at £30 and if you would like a copy for yourself or as a gift it might be wise to sign up in advance for the subscribers package via the Dovecote Press website ahead of the 31st July deadline.
PS – Star Yachts boat builder Win Cnoops spotted the YouTube video below. Thanks Win!
In all the gloom at this time of year, it’s great to hear the cheery news that Marcus Lewis is building two of his splendid 15ft Fowey River dinghies down at his workshop. Here’s what he says:
‘Hi Gavin – You’ve had some good posts lately! Just thought I would drop you a line about what has been going on in my workshop lately. This winter we had two orders for Fowey River dinghies, originally 15ft ‘knockabouts‘ designed by Reg Freeman in the late 1940s.
‘We have just finished fitting the thwarts and knees, and now comes the big clean out and dust down before we start coating up the inside with a couple of coats of International quick dry sealer, followed by International original and schooner varnish.
‘Building two together saves a little time, but it does fill the shed up, and doesnt leave much room for handling timber through the thicknesser or bandsaw! The photos show the new boats half built, how they are now, the designer’s lines and layout drawings, and photos of Fowey River 56 – a boat we built a couple of years ago.
‘The distinctive coloured sails are not compulsory by the way – but most owners get their crayons out and design their own colour scheme.
‘By the way, the gunter-rigged and clinker-built Mayflower dinghy we built last year is still available. Perhaps it will sell when the weather warms up!
‘Best wishes
‘Marcus’
Thanks for the post Marcus – and for the new header shot.
Marcus can be contacted on tel 07973 420568 and via his website www.woodenboatbuilder.co.uk.