The Wooden Ships website is the only place on the web dedicated to advertising and selling small traditional boats, dinghies, cabin boat and river launches. The team is fortunate to have some of the world’s most beautiful small wooden boats for sale. We consider it both a pleasure and a responsibility to guide you in selecting the boat that is your perfect match.
Browse our portfolio of small wooden dinghies, yachts, rowing boats and powerboats for sale today, or contact us to find out more information.
Enquire about Pettersson Motor Launch
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
Pettersson Motor Launch
£39500
Varnished mahogany motor launch from the yard of C.G. Pettersson in Sweden, world renowned for their exquisite motor vessels of various sizes. The boat was rebuilt for the current owner by Clare Lallows of Cowes and she was relaunched in 2012. Since then she has been launched for occasional regattas and used sporadically, spending much of the time safely stored ashore undercover. Launched for the summer of 2026, now afloat and in commission ready for her new custodian. Fitted with a 56hp Beta giving her 14 knots max speed making her far more practical than a traditional motor launch that will only do 6 knots. Immaculately presented and fully equipped, it is rare to find a Pettersson launch of this quality in the UK.
- Designer: C.G. Pettersson
- Builder: C.G. Pettersson
- Year: 1925
- Location: Hampshire
- Length on deck: 25'
- Beam: 6'2"
- Draft: 2'9"
Enquire about 21′ Sport Fishing Boat
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
21′ Sport Fishing Boat
£35000
Built by Dartmouth boat builders to an American design. This boat was built as a demonstration model with a view to obtaining commissions for further new build boats however this particular boat is now for sale complete with road trailer and ready to go to sea. The specification for a new build could be tailored to suit the commissioning owner, with a choice of engine sizes, layouts, systems and equipment. The benefit of building in wood with a small firm is that once the hull has been built, all other areas of the design can be altered to the commissioning owners specification. A fast, stable sports boat with lots of space, very practical for families or groups and a real head turner.
- Builder: B. & A. Pomeroy, Dartmouth
- Year: 2022
- Location: Devon
- Length on deck: 21'
- Beam: 7'10"
Enquire about 18′ Nick Smith Traditional Motor Launch
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
18' clinker motor launch built by Salcombe boat builder Nick Smith. This is a very beautiful and elegant launch built to the highest standards by an experienced boat builder who has built many similar launches. Beta 14hp diesel. Clinker planked in Khaya mahogany on oak frames with iroko thwarts and transom. Used lightly by her current owner over the last 3 seasons, wintered undercover and maintained by the builder. Complete with road trailer, fitted cover and all the extra gear necessary. An impeccable boat ready for the summer.
- Designer: Nick Smith
- Builder: Nick Smith
- Year: 2021
- Location: Devon
- Length on deck: 17'11"
- Beam: 6'4"
- Draft: 16"
Enquire about Curtis and Pape Motor Launch
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
Curtis and Pape Motor Launch
£26500
Curtis and Pape motor launch built as a coastal tripping boat working out of Looe the majority of her life. Used in present family ownership around the Falmouth and Fowey areas, proving to be an excellent family boat for coastal exploration. Major refit between 2019-2021 with hull repairs, new engine and systems and a new all over fitted cover keeping the boat well protected from the elements. Very attractive and capable traditional motor launch with a documented refit history.
- Designer: Curtis and Pape
- Builder: Curtis and Pape
- Year: 1962
- Location: Cornwall
- Length on deck: 24'
Enquire about Brooke Marine River Launch
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
Brooke Marine River Launch
£18000
Built by the current owner to a high standard, the latest of a number of boats he has built. The design is a Brooke Marine river launch from the 1930's, built using modern wood epoxy construction methods for a robust and low maintenance hull. Fitted with a Volvo Penta 2040 40hp diesel engine giving her 10 knots max speed. 6 knots cruising speed with no wake is perfect for river and canal use. Spacious inside with long bench seats. Comes with fitted all over cover. As new boat only used for sea trials.
- Designer: Brooke Marine
- Year: 2023
- Location: Suffolk
- Length on deck: 20'
- Beam: 5'10"
- Draft: 2'
Enquire about Nick Smith Clinker Cabin Launch
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
Clinker motor launch built by Nick Smith of Salcombe to his usual high standards. Unusually for a boat of this type and size, she has raised topsides forward with a small cabin giving a large double V-berth. This concept is most unusual but makes for an excellent family adventure/weekend camping boat that stands out from the crowd. 14hp Nanni diesel with very low hours, new all over 2-part cover and galvanised road trailer. A very complete boat that has hardly been used since new and is ready to go this summer.
- Designer: Nick Smith
- Builder: Nick Smith
- Year: 2015
- Location: Devon
- Length on deck: 16'
Enquire about 17′ Clinker Motor Launch
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
17′ Clinker Motor Launch
£13750
clinker motor launch which is thought to have been built in the 1950's in Scotland. Has spent most of her life on the Isle of Bute. Laid up ashore many years ago. Refitted by current owner with hull repairs, new engine, trailer and cover in 2022. Engine with less than 5 hours and trailer has only delivery miles. Elegant all varnished launch ready to go for the summer.
- Location: Argyll & Bute
- Length on deck: 17'
- Beam: 6'
Enquire about 15′ Dartmouth Launch
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
15′ Dartmouth Launch
£13500
Varnished motor launch built by Wootton Bridge to a design known as the Dartmouth Launch. Clinker planked in Brazilian mahogany, varnished inside and out. Beta Marine 10hp diesel with only 65 hours running time. On a galvanised road trailer complete with cockpit cover and all over boat cover. As new and immaculate launch absolutely ready to go
- Designer: Traditional
- Builder: Wootton Bridge Boatbuilders Ltd
- Year: 2005
- Location: Yorkshire
- Length on deck: 15'
- Beam: 6'3"
- Draft: 1'6"
Enquire about Tideway 12 Sailing Dinghy
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
Tideway 12 Sailing Dinghy
£10750
Newly built Tideway 12 sailing dinghy completed in 2023, boat No.564. Built to class rules so she is eligible to race in the Tideway fleets. Finished in such a way as to reduce the burden of annual maintenance. She is a fully equipped and ready to go dinghy with an excellent trailer and cover at a price far below the new build cost.
- Builder: Good Wood Boat Company
- Year: 2023
- Location: Sussex
- Length on deck: 12'
- Beam: 5'
Enquire about McGruer Motor Launch
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
McGruer Motor Launch
£9000
Classic varnished mahogany motor launch designed and built by McGruers in Scotland. Fitted with a Kelvin P2 10hp diesel engine that has been overhauled and well maintained. Wintered ashore every year and professionally maintained. Fitted with a drop down canvas spray hood to give some shelter on wet days. Beautiful launch in nice condition and in regular use this summer.
- Designer: McGruer and Co.
- Builder: McGruer and Co.
- Location: Devon
- Length on deck: 19'
Enquire about 14′ varnished clinker motor launch
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
Elegant clinker motor launch built in Salcombe in 1995. A traditional design and built very nicely. Good Yanmar 1GM 10 inboard diesel. Converted with wheel steering so as to move weight forward when underway. Tiller and rudder can still be used by disconnecting the steering wires. Complete with a solid road trailer and all over fitted cover.
- Designer: Traditional
- Builder: Fred Bennett of Salcombe
- Year: 1995
- Location: Devon
- Length on deck: 13'7"
- Beam: 5'3"
- Draft: 1'6"
Enquire about New Build William Ferris Rowing Punt
Please fill in this form and we will contact you about this boat
Built by Falmouth shipwright Rory Bosher as a replica of an original William Ferris rowing punt from Pill Creek in Falmouth. Slightly bigger in the beam than the skiffs which are faster but less stable and not as practical as this superb little boat. Elegantly built boat presented in as new condition on a road trailer.
- Designer: Traditional
- Builder: Rory Bosher, Falmouth
- Year: 2024
- Location: Cornwall
- Length on deck: 13'9"
- Beam: 4'8"
- Draft: 8"
Small boats for sale
People use small boats for sailing, rowing, fishing and tenders for larger vessels. They are easy to transport, affordable, and a great way to get afloat. Small boats are perfect for as a small fishing boat, small sailing boat, motor cruiser or sports cruiser and popular for recreation. We have spent some of the best family days pottering up and down the estuary in our sailing dinghy.
Small classic sailing boats are great for people wanting to start sailing. They’re relatively affordable and classic in style, and you can often find older examples for a fraction of the cost of a new boat. Plus, they’ll still provide you with years of enjoyment.
Classic boats are also a great option if you’re looking for a project boat. Many of these boats have been well cared for and only need a little TLC to get them back into sailing shape. With a bit of elbow grease, you can often have your dream boat for a fraction of the cost of buying new.
Some of the cheap small sailboats for sale on the Wooden Ships website include dinghies, day boats and river launches. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about any small boats featured on our website, or if you’d like to sell your boat.
Wooden Ships classic yachts brokers have an extensive database of small boats for sale. With a wide range of sail boats, classic yachts, motor yachts and small classic boats, Wooden Ships has one of the largest selections of traditional wooden boats and yachts for sale in the UK.























