Posted on May 12, 2025 by Wooden Ships -
Wooden Ships Comments on this Clifford Adams Motor Launch
Built by Clifford Adams of Looe as a passenger ferry running across Looe harbour. Built to commercial standards and operatred successfully until being sold into private ownership.
These Clifford Adams boats are known to be well built substantial launches and this is no exception. The very generous beam and bluff bows with good buoyancy make them excellent sea boats, stiff and stable while being able to take some chop.
Interestingly the engine is mounted very far aft in the boat, a feature built into her to make more space for paying passengers, but this is also a benefit as a private boat giving a large open space with seating around.
A good solid and substantial launch for sensible money. Flatbed triple axle trailer available by separate negotiation.
Length 20’
Beam 7’8″
Posted on April 25, 2025 by Wooden Ships -
Wooden Ships Comments on this Iain Oughtred Wemyss Skiff
Iain Oughtred Wemyss Skiff built from a kit supplied by Jordan Boats. First launched in 2021.
More information can be found on the Jordan Boats Web site:
https://jordanboats.co.uk/product/wemyss-skiff/
She was built by the owner, one of a string of boats he has built or fitted out over the years, all completed to a very good standard. The only reason this boat is being sold is that the owner is nearing completion of a larger sailing dinghy and needs the space for the new boat.
The Wemyss Skiff was built a smaller sister to the ever popular St Ayles Skiff and is a very versatile and easily used rowing skiff. Capable of being rowed with one or two rowers, with or without a cox, plus space for a passenger in the bows in calm waters, this boat offers a lot for her 16’9” length.
The moveable thwarts fitted to the boat mean rowing positions can be adapted for the number of rowers required.
Recently painted up, complete with cover, road trailer and oars, this is a ready to go skiff package in lovely condition.
Length Overall 16’9”
Beam 4’9.5”
Posted on April 23, 2025 by Wooden Ships -
Wooden Ships Comments on this 14′ Clinker Motor Launch
Built by Pasco and Sons of St Just in Roseland, Cornwall in 1964.
Refitted in previous ownership with new garboards, replacement engine and some new steamed oak timbers. Current owner during the course of the last winter has refurbished the engine and hull with repairs where necessary and new paint and varnish throughout.
Complete with a recently serviced road trailer and cover, the boat has been recently painted and antifouled with a new propeller shaft fitted. With a newly serviced and nicely running Bukh engine she is ready for the coming season.
Low asking price as owner is losing his storage space and needs to move her on to a new home.
Length 14’
Beam 6’
Posted on April 8, 2025 by Wooden Ships -
Wooden Ships Comments on this Bantham Motor Launch
Clinker motor launch believed to have been built at BAntham village, south Devon. As long as can be remembered she has been berthed on the River Avon next to Bantham beach and maintained locally.
A pretty boat with a nice sheer line. She has a good quality Lombardini 11hp diesel engine plus an auxiliary outboard.
Length 16’6”
Beam 6’7”
Posted on April 8, 2025 by Wooden Ships -
Wooden Ships Comments on this 22′ Varnished Motor Launch
Built for a local doctor by a cabinet maker and kept on the River dart its entire life. Launched in 1970, she was used regularly for river cruising and coastal fishing trips until the Doctor retired and handed her to the sea Scouts. She changed hands twice since then and had a refit which included replacing the old Stuart Turner with a modern Beta diesel.
The present owner bought a large trailer for her and launches each time he uses the boat, the rest of the time she is kept ashore in a shed and is well protected.
This is a very eye catching and unusual boat with a good turn of speed. She also has a water tight deck giving her a self draining cockpit which is a big advantage.
An elegant hull shape makes her easily driven, plus she slips along at a gentle cruising speed of 5 knots with virtually no wake, a big advantage when used on rivers and lakes.
Length Overall 22′
Beam 6’3″
Draft 2’4″
Towing weight Approx. 2 tons
Posted on April 8, 2025 by Wooden Ships -
Wooden Ships Comments on this Camper and Nicholson Launch
Believed to have been built pre-war by Camper and Nicholson, she does indeed have the appearance of a C&N boat and certainly has the quality of workmanship that is expected of that yard. She spent time with the Royal London Yacht Club and subsequently many years in Cowes owned by the Port Officer for the Ocean Cruising Club.
Bought by the present owner in 2013 and then professionally refitted, the hull was stripped inside and out, frames replaced as necessary and the outside of the hull sheathed in a very thin cloth to stabilise the timber. She is now a very smart and well presented launch in very nice condition.
Launches of this size are unusual and highly sought after, large enough to carry several people in comfort and safety but small enough to be launched by one person and easy to handle.
This boat is lavished with original fittings and features, lots of chromed bronze deck fittings have survived the years including a delightful port and starboard navigation light on the bow. A complete package with a new road trailer, all in lovely condition and ready for the summer.
Length 14’2″
Beam 5’1″
Draft 1’8″
Posted on April 8, 2025 by Wooden Ships -
Wooden Ships Comments on this Clinker Rowing Pram Dinghy
Clinker pram dinghy of unknown origin, although she has been around the river in Salcombe for more than 30 years. Recent cosmetic refit so she is looking smart.
There are about 3 cracked timbers which is only to be expected on a boat of this type but she is otherwise a sound dinghy. These prams are good load carrying boats, ideal as tenders or for simply pottering about on the water.
Length 9’6”
Posted on March 11, 2025 by Wooden Ships -
Wooden Ships Comments on this Salcombe B Class
Salcombe B class racing dinghy built by Morgan Giles of Teignmouth in 1935 to a design by Edgar Cove, a local Salcombe boat builder and mainstay of the Salcombe boating community.
She was build No.319, job 1562 at the Morgan Giles yard.
She was built for a Miss Elizabeth Chorlton and we have records of her winning in Salcombe with Morgan Giles at the helm in 1935, thus qualifying for the West of England Conference Cup. This cup she won in July 1936.
Salcombe had a number of local racing classes, the A class being a larger keel boat and the C class a 12’ dinghy. This B class at 16’ with a tall 29’ mast was a powerful boat making the most of the exciting sailing conditions found in the estuary. It is not known how many survive but believed to be the last one remaining.
Bought in 2010, she was refurbished in present ownership over a 7 year period where a vast sum was spent with professional boat builders in Norfolk. Since then she has been used for racing at Blakeney, North Norfolk and the Norfolk Broads but with the progression of age the owner has decided to pass her on.
The boat is now back in Devon near Salcombe and it is hoped we can find a new custodian for her with ties to the local area for which she was built.
A very interesting boat with a refurbished hull, recent rig and sails, electric outboard and an excellent combination road trailer/launching trolley.
Length on Deck 16’ ½”
Beam 5’11”
Weight 266kg
Posted on March 7, 2025 by Wooden Ships -
Wooden Ships Comments on this 14′ varnished clinker motor launch
Clinker motor launch designed and built in Salcombe by Fred Bennett in 1995. She is based on the original local river launches often used for hire boats and is an elegant launch built and maintained to a good standard.
Fitted with a well maintained Yanmar 1GM10 engine.
Length 13’7”
Beam 5’3”
Posted on March 6, 2025 by Wooden Ships -
Wooden Ships Comments on this 18′ Nick Smith Traditional Motor Launch
18’ varnished clinker motor launch built by Nick Smith of Salcombe, a skilled and experienced boat builder who has a reputation for building exquisite motor launches. This boat was completed in 2021 and first launched in the spring of 2022.
His designs are based on the traditional working boats of Salcombe with a straight stem, full bilges and an elegant sheer line.
Derived from the inshore fishing boats of Salcombe, this launch is an excellent sea boat with the full bilges giving good internal volume and excellent stability, while the full bow sections and high sheer line make them dry boats and very capable at sea. They are also superb river boats, slipping along at hull speed with next to no wash and turning heads in any setting.
Fitted with a Beta 14hp diesel engine which will give an estimated 6 knots cruising speed.
Commonly these boats are built with a small aft deck and foredeck, however this one is completely open giving more useable interior space. In the bows is a large V-shaped thwart which provides ample seating space but also a safe step for stepping over the bow when coming into a pontoon.
Used for only 2 seasons and wintered ashore under cover. She comes with an excellent road trailer, all over cover, warps, fenders etc and is ready for immediate use.
Further details available on the builders web site: https://nicksmithboatbuilder.co.uk/
Length 17’11”
Beam 6’4”
Draft 16”
Weight 650kg
