12′ traditional clinker launch

Full specification

Wooden ships comments on this 12′ traditional clinker launch

Built as a rowing boat by Lavers of Dartmouth, believed shortly before the war, as part of the hire fleet of rowing boats run by the Williams family.

The boat was laid up during the war. Re-commissioned in the 1950’s when it is thought an engine was installed.  Bought by the present owner 4 years ago through Wooden Ships and used occasionally.

Not all traditional clinker rowing boats are the same and small differences in design can make a boat either right or wrong – and this one is right. She has an almost hollow cut-water swelling out to a very full midships turn of bilge which gives the little boat her stability then tucking back in again to a quite narrow transom.

She has a nice gentle even swing to the sheer rising up to a very positive bow with a fractionally raked stem.

The previous experienced local owner bought this little boat as a retirement hobby. As far as is known the boat has never left the Dart but had gone through a bad period of some neglect.

He stripped the hull to bare wood inside and out. The forward thwart was replaced with new grown oak knees all round and several steam bent timbers replaced before the boat was re-varnished.  The owner became an avid collector of Stuart Turner engines and assembled a good one from all the parts. The engine has full compression and runs very sweetly with none of the usual problems for which Stuarts are renowned, invariably through old age and neglect. Some spare parts included.

This is a very special little boat and will give someone enormous pleasure.

Length on deck                        12’

Beam                                       4’3”

Draft                                        12”

Construction

Clinker planked in spruce all copper fastened to steam bent oak timbers on an oak back-bone.

All varnished inside and out.

Forward thwart with single oak knees. A loose infill board forms a fore deck at thwart level.

Midships thwart with twin knees each side also carries the engine box.

Side thwarts each side running aft to the after seat.

Loose fitted back-rest with the boat’s name in fine decorative sign-writing.

Rope fender all round

Bronze stem-band and fairlead at the stem.

White painted bilge with loose fitted, clipped down slatted hardwood sole boards.

Lift-off rudder on bronze hangings with tiller.

Twin rowing positions.

Machinery

Stuart Turner single cylinder 1 ½ hp petrol engine with ahead and astern gear.

Engine recently overhauled with new head gasket, new gearbox oil seals and overhaul of the magneto, now running smoothly.

Conventional shaft drive with the shaft emerging to port of the stern post.

Stuart Turner fuel tank sited above the engine, the whole enclosed in a 2-part varnished box.

A top lid opens over the tank and a lower level lid opens over the engine.

Stuart Turner lagged copper exhaust to the transom.

Usual Stuart Turner throttle lever and ahead/astern handle

Equipment

Pair of fine oars in bronze rowlocks.

Manual brass vertical action bilge pump.

Fitted water-proof boat cover.

Excellent 2 wheel galvanised road trailer with jockey wheel.

Full specification and details available upon request

Disclaimer:

These particulars have been prepared in good faith from information provided by the Vendors and are intended as a guide, Wooden Ships cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. The Purchaser should instruct his agent or surveyor to validate all details as necessary and satisfy himself with the condition of the vessel and its equipment.