Boat of the week 7

The Weymouth Ferry.

I wish I had a video of the ferryman ferrygliding this boat across the harbour. Effortless.
The design looks as if it was conceived before health and safety regulations forced the ferryman to overload the boat with life rings. Theres a very neat inner transom that snugly accommodates one ring. The others compete for space with paying passengers.

These boats earn their keep. Whilst they might just be a small extravagance (50p) for the grockles (South Coast for tourist) they also save a walk around the harbour. In the five minutes I watched £5 of trade went across the harbour. Not bad going.
There was only one running when I was there last week. I dont know if they all work in peak season.

Theyre wonderfully utilitarian. Have a look at the square section blue-painted seat posts. No fancy turned pillars here.

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Boat of the week 10

Seen at the London Boat Show.

A brand new Stirling and Son 9 clinker dinghy built by Will Stirling over the last 7 days. I left my visit to the boat show until nearly the end hoping to see Will finishing the planking. It seems he was much too quick for me! He wasnt even there when I visited the stand so I just took photographs and inspiration. The boat is timbered out and a stringer riser installed for the thwarts (I must find the name for this). This boat, and the gorgeous 14 sailing dinghy next to it, were rare treats at the boat show this year. Despite the economic crisis the show was once again dominated by enormous plastic motor boats. Its been a while since I went to the London show and it will be a few years until I go again. More power to the Stirlings elbows.

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Boat of the Week 6

Seen everywhere.

My favourite kind of boat: one thats for sale.

Other peoples boats are lovely but none are quite as full of spine-tingling potential as one that could be yours.
This particular ray of sunshine is in Port Townsend, Washington. Shes well-loved and comes complete with trailer at a very reasonable $4,000.
Im delighted that I cant get her in my luggage as otherwise I might be tempted.
Eleven narrow strakes per side, no clench nails, just roves.

Shes planked in an unspecified cedar over oak. The various types of "cedar" are used a lot in planking American boats. Ive used Western Red Cedar and Yellow Cedar (neither of which are "real" cedars) and compared with Larch they seem soft. I have to swallow my prejudices though because Nip N Tuc was built before the end of the Second World War and shows only a few signs of wear to the planking.
If I look that good at 68 Ill be delighted.

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