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 12’6″ Nick Smith Motor Launch
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Clinker motor launch built by Nick Smith of Salcombe on the lines of the original Edgar Cove hire boats on the estuary. Little used and maintained by the builder. Excellent road trailer with piggy back launching trolley, cover and other necessary gear. A very smart boat ready for the season.
- Designer: Edgar Cove
- Builder: Nick Smith
- Year: 2006
- Location: Devon
- Length on deck: 12'6"
- Beam: 5'
Enquire about 22′ Varnished Motor Launch
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Built by a cabinet maker in 1970 for a local retired doctor, this boat has been moored on the River Dart all her years. Beta 13hp diesel overhauled in 2022 with a major service and head skimmed. Heavy duty road trailer included in sale. A great river or lake boat as she puts up virtually no wash and is very efficient to run. Ready to launch and use immediately.
- Year: 1970
- Location: Devon
- Length on deck: 22'
- Beam: 6'3"
- Draft: 2'4"
Enquire about Iain Oughtred Wee Seal II Sloop
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Wee Seal II from the board of the late Iain Oughtred. The designed himself altered the designs of this boat for the commissioning owner, giving her bilge keels instead of a centreplate enabling her to dry out with no fuss. Professionally built hull and decks, fitted out by the owner. Recent cosmetic refit plus new outboard engine. Good condition road trailer. Small but mighty design perfect for weekend exploration and camping in quiet spots at the head of the creek.
- Designer: Iain Oughtred
- Year: 2012
- Location: Devon
- Length on deck: 18'3"
- Beam: 7'3"
- Draft: 1'8"
Enquire about 20′ Motor Launch
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20′ Motor Launch
£9500
Built on the Isle of Wight in 1960. A large volume motor launch with high freeboard and generous beam. Standing in her the gunwhales are very high making her safe and secure at sea. Sprayhood on a stainless steel frame with integrated cockpit cover. The cover can be removed leaving the sprayhood to give a bit of shelter, but it can also be lowered to leave the boat flush and completely open. Bukh 20hp diesel. Capable and spacious launch, recently painted and canvas work just re-waterproofed.
- Year: 1960
- Location: Devon
- Length on deck: 20'
- Beam: 7'
- Draft: 2'
Enquire about 16′ McNulty Sailing Launch
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Varnished clinker motor launch with a sailing rig, built by McNulty boats in 1995. Beta 10hp diesel engine installed in 1998, full service 2023. Tan lug mainsail gives good off wind sailing. this is an unusual concept of boat and one that should appeal to many boat users. A very pretty boat which will turn a lot of heads.
- Designer: McNulty Boats
- Builder: McNulty Boats
- Year: 1995
- Location: Hants
- Length on deck: 16'
Enquire about McGruer Motor Launch
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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: 16'
Enquire about Aldeburgh Beach Boat
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Aldeburgh Beach Boat
£8500
Robustly built open motor launch, designed as a beach fishing boat for the east coast. Generous beam and freeboard make her a capable and safe family boat. New Nani diesel 14hp engine in 2022, fully serviced and ready for the 2024 season. Painted inside and out helps lower maintenance time, a pretty launch with a work boat like feel.
- Designer: Traditional
- Builder: Frank Knights Boatyard, Woodbridge
- Year: 1974
- Location: Suffolk
- Length on deck: 21'
- Beam: 7'9"
- Draft: 2'
Enquire about Cornish Day Boat
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Cornish Day Boat
£8000
Elegant day boat built by Willie John of Flushing near Falmouth in 1946. Rebuilt by Cornish boat builder Ralph Bird in the 1980's and still in his family ownership. New rig in 2009. Recent work by Luke Powell including new stem and centreboard case. New Yamaha 6hp outboard 2024.
- Designer: Willie John
- Builder: Willie John
- Year: 1946
- Location: Cornwall
- Length on deck: 18'6"
- Beam: 7'3"
- Draft: 2' plate up
Enquire about Racing Keel Boat
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Racing Keel Boat
£8000
Designed by Dave Hollom of Americas Cup fame and built by the owner in 2013. She is similar in many ways to the Flying 15 and will plane easily in 12 knots of wind. Strip plank hull with carbon fibre spars and a retractable lead bulb keel, this is a boat with excellent performance and good pedigree given her designer. The rig and sail plan was designed by the team at Goacher Sails will all Harken fittings, 2 sets of sail and spinnakers. Complete with a Bison electric outboard and custom road trailer. A fun and exciting boat to sail, fully equipped, tried and tested, ready for her next owners.
- Designer: Dave Hollom
- Year: 2013
- Location: Derbyshire
- Length on deck: 22'
- Beam: 5'
Enquire about 14′ varnished clinker motor launch
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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 Camper and Nicholson Launch
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Believed to have been built by Camper and Nicholson, major refit in 2014 and used very little since then. Carvel mahogany hull on very light steamed oak timbers, lovely build quality with charm and patina that can only gained with time. Rebuilt Stuart Turner twin cylinder petrol engine. Comes with a very good road trailer, ready to tow away. Lots of original features and fittings including all chromed bronze deck gear. An exquisite boat in lovely condition, a very handy size for messing about on the river.
- Designer: Camper and Nicholson
- Builder: Camper and Nicholson
- Location: Hants
- Length on deck: 14'2"
- Beam: 5'1"
- Draft: 1'8"
Enquire about New Build William Ferris Rowing Punt
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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.