Photos by Andy Blundy, Charlie Couture and Emma Brice
This 18ft Paul Gartside-designed strip-planked cutter belonging to Boat Building Academy student Dominik Gschwind hit the water at the BBA’s student launch just before Christmas.
The boat is in Western red cedar, fitted out in Douglas fir and with its cabin and other parts finished bright.
Dominik, who is Swiss, chose the boat as a result of his passion for craft inspired by working boat, and modified the original open design by created a small cabin, complete with portholes and a neatly fitted heads – it’s said that this is the first boat to be built at the BBA with either of these features.
Named Gloéy – the name is Dominik’s daughter’s middle name – the boat will be used by for day sailing and cruising on his own and with his family.
To be moored on Lake Constance, which is bordered by Germany, Switzerland and Austria, Gloéy will also be used as a reference project for Dominik’s business, showcasing his new skills to prospective clients.
Dominik, who for the past seven years, has run his own architecture practice in Zurich, enrolled on the Academy’s 38-week training course with the aim of expanding his current business by combining his passion for boats and their construction with his architectural expertise.
Ivan Cavé was Dominik’s main partner in building the boat, and worked closely with him for long hours through the five month build.
Ivan grew up in South Africa but has lived in Australia for most of his life. His first significant boating experience was in 1978 when he joined the crew of Alvee, a John Alden schooner in Malta.
Ivan met wife Jacky after hitching a ride on a 40ft steel cutter from South Africa to Sydney, and consequently took Australian citizenship in 1980. Ivan joined the Academy after retiring from his job as a sales sdministrator, and aims to start a new career in Australia working as a boat builder.
Jacky will be missed at the BBA, she took full part in activities at the school and in Lyme Regis, including one night when she set up an impromptu bar in the workshops to celebrate the mast being completed. Alcohol is of course forbidden in the workshops for safety reasons…
Ivan and Jacky bought a motor home and are now driving round Europe and were last heard of in St Malo, no doubt bringing warmth and friendship wherever they park.
There’s a photographic diary of the build of Gloéy on the BBA website, and Dominik also kept a written online diary.
As always, my thanks to the BBA staff for providing information and photos.
