A love of small traditional boats
On these pages I hope to share my interest in saving, restoring and enjoying small traditionally constructed timber boats. Here you will find details, some history (where known) of various boats that I have owned and in some cases currently own. None of them cost much to buy, and in some cases were literally rescued from the bonfire. However, properly looked after these will all outlast me and I hope that in some cases I’m helping to preserve a bit of maritime heritage for future generations to enjoy.
Workshop
I have a small workshop in Pembroke, West Wales, where smaller trailerable boats are brought and stored for work. Boatworks are a part-time hobby as in the rest of my free time I’m out sailing. My day job is an Electrical Engineer working for a large global company.
Projects
We have a few boats in the workshop at the moment. ‘Morwenna’ is a 12-ft sailing and rowing dinghy acquired during 2023 and nearing completion of a thorough strip and re-varnish together with a few minor repairs and provision of some sails. Also underway is the fit-out of a ‘new’ National Redwing R148 ‘Robin D‘, As yet un-measured she join a small fleet of these dinghies that are raced at Tenby. I have another Redwing currently under restoration; R30 ‘Talofa’ built in 1947.
More details about the Redwing class can be found here, including boats currently for sale: https://nationalredwing.com
I am able to take on repairs and refit work on these fine racing dinghies and if you want to get into Redwing sailing but need help restoring a boat if one of the ‘ready to sail’ ones is too much.
You can read about my past (and some current) clinker boat projects on my blog https://smallclinkerboat.blogspot.com
We have also been owners of a Finesse 24 Sailing Yacht, ‘Enfys’ sail number 26, built by Alan Platt in about 1975. Now sold and with new owners.
Over the years I have detailed the maintenance and operation of this handy yacht on a separate blog here. This is more of an archive and record of the work we did to maintain her during our years of ownership. https://finesse24sailingyacht.blogspot.com
“Those who know and understand Redwings are inspired by their seaworthiness. They are outstandingly brave little boats, from which we can learn that the sea is to sail upon… in a boat in which we can enjoy the sea in all its moods and not fear it.. even in a hat-ful of wind.”
— Uffa Fox
Clinker Boats 