Tag: fowey

Marcus Lewis builds a new clinker-built Fowey River sailing dinghy

 Marcus Lewis Fowey River dinghy

Marcus Lewis mayflower dinghy time lapse 002 Marcus Lewis mayflower dinghy time lapse 005

Fowey boat builder Marcus Lewis has got in touch to show us these photos (top) of the latest clinker-built Fowey River sailing dinghy that he has built.

‘This is number 61 in the long established local class. It was built in the spring and launched a couple of weeks ago.

‘Named Puffling, she is built of Canadian spruce with mahogany sheer strake, thwarts, gunnels and steamed oak ribs, all rivetted together with 1300 copper rivets.

‘She was built for champion Dart 18 catamaran sailors Kim and Sarah Furniss, who live near Fowey, and have now decided to sail something more sedate but still challenging given the fickle winds and frustrating tides of Fowey Harbour.

‘They have already raced Puffling successfully already in the Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoon races.

‘My latest project is a 14ft Mayflower dinghy, which is gunter rigged and with a steel centreplate. These were formerly built by Skentlebery’s in Plymouth, (there’s an article in Classic Boat magazine in January 93 for those with an extensive collection).

The company has licensed me to build them, and am building one ‘on spec’, hopefully in time to show it on the Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association stand at the Southampton Boat Show. If any reader’s in the market for a newly built gunter rigged dinghy of about this size, I might be well worth getting in touch with Marcus right now – his website is at www.woodenboatbuilder.co.uk.

1863 lifeboat for sale on eBay – and two other lovely old ladies in need of rescue!

Lifeboat conversion Friend of all Nations for sale on eBay

Fowey boat builder Marcus Lewis has suggested I draw readers’ attention to the fact that the 1863-built lifeboat Friend of All Nations is currently for sale on eBay. I gather she was converted to make a gentleman’s yacht in the 1920s.

It’s an interesting story, as I’ve noticed her half sunk in the past and wondered what she might be. For a photo I took a couple of years ago, click here. She’s an historic piece – there’s a newspaper report of a tragic rescue in which she was involved here.

She’s 43ft in length, 14ft in beam and weighs about 12tons, and I gather she can be floated for transportation purposes. Mark can provide more info on 07826 853149.

Mark also thought readers would like to see some photos he took recently while working at the boatyard at St Winnow on the River Fowey.

Radium Morecambe Bay prawner Radium Morecambe Bay prawner Radium Morecambe Bay prawner

Radium Morecambe Bay prawner

 

The first is he believes a Morecombe Bay prawner named Radium. ‘She has been in Fowey for at least 30 years, probably a lot longer,’ says Marcus. ‘She was kept at the head of Mixtow Creek and was owned by Bill Peacock.

‘She was an ongoing project then, and I was involved in replacing some of the deck planking for him, but the boat was really decaying faster than it was being repaired, but it did float, just!

‘I think when Bill died she was taken up on the beach at St Winnow, and then into the yard. Having gone through a few owners, the yard has now claimed her I think.

‘Radium’s name is interesting and is engraved on her rudder head, so I guess it’s original – which might put her after 1910? It would be good if someone knew something about her!’

Motor launch Rosemary Motor launch Rosemary

The motor launch Rosemary was built in Polruan after the war for Claude Richards.

‘I think he was a former Humber lifeboat mechanic. Anyway, he ran the evening ferry service from Polruan to Fowey, as well as river trips. His former boat, also Rosemary, had been requisitioned in the war, and when the war was over he asked for it back, but it was in too much of a state – so a new one was built.

‘The boat changed hands several times after Claude retired, but always running pleasure trips up the river Fowey, round the docks and shipping, down to the harbour mouth and back to the quay. Sadly she has been laid up at St Winnow for about 10 years, and probably now past refloating. Who knows how many passengers she carried in her years of service?’

Marcus Lewis is based at Fowey, Cornwall. He can be reached on tel 07973 420568 and via his website at www.woodenboatbuilder.co.uk.

Marcus Lewis update: Fowey River Class dinghies, a St Mawes One-Design and a wooden sailing cruiser for sale

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Fowey River Dinghy 59

Fowey River Dinghy 59 Fowey River Dinghy 59 Fowey River Dinghy 59

Fowey River 59

Fowey River Dinghy 60 Fowey River Dinghy 60

Fowey River 60

St Mawes One Design Saskia St Mawes One Design Saskia

St Mawes One Design Saskia

We’ve also received an update from Fowey boatbuilder Marcus Lewis, who is well known for building Fowey River Class dinghies.

‘Hi Gavin, hope all is well, just thought I would drop you a line with some pics to show what has been going on lately.

‘The two Fowey River Class dinghies are coming on. No. 59 has been timbered out with steamed green oak ribs and the seats and gunnwales are in, and we will soon be fitting the centreplate case. No. 60 is soon to have her mahogany sheer strake fitted (the rest of her planking is spruce), and then she will be timbered out.

‘Also arrived last week was a St Mawes One Design for a few small repairs after being damaged on her moorings in the gales. (See www.stmawesod.org.uk for more information.)

‘There are always one or two of these lovely little boats for sale. They were designed in 1923 and are raced mostly on the River Fal, in and around Falmouth and, obviously, at St Mawes!

‘I’ve also attached an advert [see below Ed]. This is an opportunity for someone to pick up a classic boat for very little – a Kings Cruiser. A friend of mine has owned this boat for quite a few years, and initially did a considerable amount of work, used her for a few years, but then laid her up, and now has to get rid of her. She probably needs quite of bit of work again now, but is worth an offer!

‘Thanks

‘Marcus’

Marcus can be reached at tel 07973 420568 and email marcus@fowey9.freeserve.co.uk

Kings Cruiser for sale