Tag: marcus lewis

Classic 18ft Harry Feltham dinghy for sale by the River Fowey

Harry Feltham 18ft clinker dinghy for sale Harry Feltham 18ft clinker dinghy for sale

River Fowey boat builder and restorer Marcus Lewis has written in to report that he’s spotted an 18ft clinker-build sailing boat for sale close to his own premises. Here’s what he says:

‘Hi Gavin: I was doing a small job at the St Winnow boatyard on the River Fowey, and spotted this 18ft or so centreplate dinghy, the ownership of which has just passed to the proprietors.

‘Built by Harry Feltham of Portsmouth, it doesnt look in bad condition. It needs some tender loving care, but the buoyancy bags inside are still inflated, a compass still installed, and there is a mast, though I’m not sure about sails. The owners of the boatyard want to sell her, and I shouldn’t think she would be very expensive – and someone could pick up a classic boat at a good price.

‘I dont know if she is a class? maybe someone out there knows more?

‘She needs to be snapped up before a season out the water on a trailer (in the baking sunshine we are bound to get) wont do her any favours.

‘If anyone’s interested, they should contact St Winnow Yachts on 01208 872327.’

Thanks Marcus! Let’s hope she catches someone’s eye.

Marcus Lewis builds two more Fowey River dinghies

Marcus Lewis builds Fowey River Class dinghies

Marcus Lewis builds Fowey River Class dinghies Marcus Lewis builds Fowey River Class dinghies Marcus Lewis builds Fowey River Class dinghies

Marcus Lewis builds Fowey River Class dinghies Marcus Lewis builds Fowey River Class dinghies Marcus Lewis builds Fowey River Class dinghies

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.

A project – and some cheap daysailing fun for someone

It may not look much now, but I’d guess this 20ft Scimitar keelboatlisted on eBay could be destined to provide someone with some splendid daysailing fun.

She’s fibreglass, it’s true, but that’s no reason to be nose-in-the-air about her: she was built at a time when layups were heavy and hull shapes were much like the wood built craft, and she’s currently going for a song.

I’d guess that hull would clean up nicely, and looking at the description my guess is that the biggest problem will be moving her… I suppose there aren’t many of us who have friends from whom we can borrow a crane!

Thanks to traditional boatbuilder Marcus Lewis for pointing her out.