Archives: Small crafts

18′ Motor Launch

Wooden Ships Comments on this 18′ Motor Launch

Built in Teignmouth in the early 1960’s by local shipwright Lenoard Matthews as part of the self drive hire fleet in Teignmouth in the summer months.  In the off season she was used by local fisherman for crab and lobster potting, mackerel fishing and seine netting for sand eel.  In 1972 she was sold to Dartmouth shipyard Philip & Son where she was used as a work boat until the yard closed in the late 1990’s.  After falling into disrepair, she was purchased and refitted by a local shipwright Andy Thomas in 2003 and has been a fixture on the River Dart ever since as a private river launch.

During the refit the decks, gunwhales and sole were all renewed along with many new frames and plank repairs.

She is an excellent and safe boat, very stable and stiff due to her hull shape so is capable of carrying a good group of people without concern.

 

Length                  18’3”

Beam                    6’10”

Draft                      1’9”

Nick Smith Clinker Cabin Launch

Beautiful 16’ clinker motor launch built by Nick Smith of Salcombe in 2015.  Usual Nick Smith design which is inspired by the old Salcombe fishing boats with straight stem, elegant sheer and a sharp tuck to the bilge making them stiff and seaworthy boats.

The commissioning owner requested an alteration to the original design with raised topsides forward, a bulkhead and foredeck to offer and enclosed forward sleeping cabin.  This is unusual on a boat of this size but makes her rather unique and special.

She would make a superb adventure boat for family exploration of rivers, estuaries and coasts, something a bit different to stand out from the crowd.  She is in excellent condition having been used very little since new and is ready to tow away on her trailer and be used this summer.

 

Length                  16’

Beam                    6’6”

Draft                      17”

Iain Oughtred Auk Rowing Dinghy

Iain Oughtred Auk rowing dinghy recently built by the owner.

The Auk was designed by Oughtred as a practical yet pretty tender, capable of carrying significant loads but is still a delight to row.  She can take a small outboard as well very comfortably.

This dinghy has not been used and was built as a rowing boat, however a mast step and dagger board case was built into the hull so she could be converted to a sailing dinghy if a future owner desired.

Very smart dinghy with cover and oars.  Light enough to be carried on a car roof rack for easy transport.

 

Length                  8’

Beam                    4’

Iain Oughtred Grebe

Iain Oughtred Grebe dinghy built by the owner in 1998.

The Grebe is an attractive dinghy that is easily rowed by one or two people.  The design is also a delight to sail, this boat has a standing lug rig on an unstayed mast so is particularly easy to rig up and handle.  The sail is loose footed so there is no boom to hit unsuspecting children across the head.

Complete with 2 pairs of oars, rig and road trailer.  A very attractive boat that is easy to maintain and a joy to use, the perfect solution to getting afloat simply yet in a proper looking boat.

 

Length                  13’6”

Beam                    4’6”

Double Rowing Skiff

27’ clinker rowing skiff built by either Salters or Eton in the 1920’s for Shrewsbury School and the house of Severn Hill in particular.  The house colours of maroon and French gray are used throughout the boat and her components.

Found about 30 years ago by the present retired boat builder in a very poor state and close to being put on the bonfire.  Rebuilt to a very high standard but retaining as much of the original structure as possible.  The planking and centreline are original but 50% of the frames and floors have been renewed and the whole boat finished in gloss varnish inside and out.

She comes with a specialist trailer or ‘mobile boathouse’, previously used for transporting a glider.  This extraordinary trailer houses the boat and keeps her completely dry and safe, making for very easy transport and storage.  The boat and trailer weigh less than 750kg so are easily towed behind most cars.

The trailer has racking for carrying the oars, tools and spares.  A trolley system inside the trailer makes it a simple affair to take the boat in and out.  The boat also has a custom made wooden trolley to move the boat around on when she is out of the trailer.  This trolley means she can be easily launched on a slipway if needed.

A totally unique set up that is ready to tow away and use.  A real piece of history, lovingly restored and all in superb condition.  Will be on show at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival in July 2023.

 

Length                                  27’

Beam                                    3’6”

Beam over outriggers    5’

 

12′ Clinker Sailing Dinghy

Wooden Ships Comments on this 12′ Clinker Sailing Dinghy

12’ clinker sailing dinghy believed to have been built in 1981.

Major professional overhaul by the International Boatbuilding Training College, Lowestoft in 2014.

New rig professionally built for the boat to the plans for the International 12 sailing dinghy rig, including all varnished spruce spars.

Very attractive and well cared for dinghy that is kept indoors much of its life to protect the paint and varnish.  Used in present ownership for the youngsters to learn to sail with, she is a fast yet forgiving boat which will turn heads everywhere.

A complete boat with trailer and cover, ready to go sailing this summer.

 

Length                  12’

Beam

Salcombe Yawl

Wooden Ships Comments on this Salcombe Yawl

Salcombe Yawl No.36 built in 1961 by Stones of Portlemouth on the banks of the Salcombe Estuary.

Built for local man Dr. Hammond, she was part of the local fleet for many years.  Refitted by a specialist local yard which looks after many of the current Yawl fleet.  This refit was completed in 2009/2010 with all new decks and repairs to the hull.  The boat was then laid up in a shed and hardly used until the current owner purchased her a few years later.

She comes with a good quality Bramber road trailer and combination launching trolley plus 2 sets of cruising sails.

Lovely earlier example of the class.

 

Length on Deck                 16’

Lenth Overall                     18’

Beam                                    7’

Robertsons of Woodbridge Rowing Dinghy

Wooden Ships Comments on this Robertsons of Woodbridge Rowing Dinghy

10’ rowing dinghy built by Robertsons of Woodbridge in 1968 for the London Boatshow.

In present ownership for 50 years, she has only ever had 2 owners.

Professional refit 7 years ago, used regularly up until 2021 since which time she has not been in the water.

A stable boat that rows nicely, reasonably full in the bows giving her good buoyancy but fine in the aft sections making her slip nicely through the water.

 

Length                  10’

Beam                    4’1”

Iain Oughtred Auk Sailing Dinghy

Wooden Ships Comments On This Iain Oughtred Auk Sailing Dinghy

Iain Oughtred Auk sailing dinghy built by the owner in 2022.  West System epoxy glued hull with hardwood transom, centreline and gunwhales.

Fitted with a standing lug rig which easy to set up and handle.

The Auk was designed by Oughtred as a practical yet pretty tender, capable of carrying significant loads but is still a delight to row and sails nicely.  She can take a small outboard as well very comfortably.

Due to the construction this boat is very light so is easy to move around or lift on an off a large yacht if she is to be a tender.

 

Length                  9’3″

Beam                    4’1″

Varnished River Launch

Wooden Ships Comments on this Varnished River Launch

Built in 1950 by Allday Austin, Guildford as a work vessel for the River Way Conservancy.

Major professional refit in last 3 years with extensive areas of new planking and lots of new oak timbers.  Work carried out by a very experienced shipwright who has worked on the Thames for many years.

Now based on the Thames, she has a new Boat Safety Certificate and a 10 month River Thames licence included with the sale so should a new owner wish to continue using her on the Thames, she is absolutely ready for this summer.

The boat is complete with a very nice twin axle road trailer, cockpit cover, winter cover and all recent upholstery.

A very smart and attractive launch ready for the season ahead.

 

Length on Deck                 19’4”

Beam                                    5’11”