This boat show is usually of great interest to dinghy cruisers and potterers, not because of the intrinsic merit of the material of which the boats are made, but because in timber, only small boats appear to make economic sense. The largest new boat at the show was a 24’ gaff cutter at £35,000! Accordingly, most of the exhibits are open boats, and if you wanted a 12’ clinker dinghy you would find a fair choice of builders present to meet your needs.

There is a cult underway which decrees that, for boats, wood is beautiful and best. However, there were two examples at the show which proved that a boat can be as ugly in timber as in any other materials, one in the amateur building section and one of the professional offerings. As for ‘best’… well, we all have our prejudices, whether they are based on scientific fact or not!

The following is a list of builders and their offerings at the show, which may be of interest to members. Bear in mind, however, that nearly all the firms or individual boatbuilders are prepared to take on other projects for people who want something different. The prices mentioned include VAT except where I follow the figure with a ‘?‘, in which case I’m not sure.

Jamie Clay — 13 Mill Road, Maldon, Essex CM9 7HX and at Downs Road Boatyard. Normally restores wooden yachts, but will build you an Acorn 12 Skiff. 11’9” x 4’ with or without sailing gear in glued clinker ply. The narrowish beam would probably suit the rowing more than the sailing.

John Kerr — High Street, Llandysul, Dyfed, Wales SA44 4DN Jolly Boat designed by Laurent Giles. Gaff rigged ketch with bowsprit. 14’7” x 6’3” x 1’3”(3’). Even more of a little ship than the dimensions suggest. Weight 400lbs plus ballast sandbags between 100 and 200 lbs. £6,000. (see also Chas. Beddingfield). Drascombe range in timber, including part-built boats. Coot, glued clinker ply, una gaff rig 10’11” x 4’8” x 6”(2’7”). Useful little dinghy for pottering. £2,475. (see also Black Dog Boat Co.). They will also build you any shape of clinker boat 8’ to 20’ at a price with sails from £1,900 to £6,900.

John Davies — 35 Old Heath, Heathgates, Shrewsbury. 1 Newfield Drive, Castlefields, Shrewsbury. Coracle maker; will build you one customized to your weight and height, from ash frame with tarred calico skin, for £250(?) with paddle. Extremely light to carry on your back. It might just suit your circumstances for river fishing or to reach a mooring. Dimensions approx. 4’6” x 3’0” x 1’2” deep. I found out that I have been using the coracle paddle stroke for years without knowing it when propelling a rubber dinghy with a single paddle!

David Moss — Skippool Creek, Wyre Road, Thornton, Nr. Blackpool FY5 5LF Cat Boat, gaff rigged 12’ x 5’9” x 10½”(2’1”). Very nicely built, strip planked with mahogany veneer over. Has a lot going for it, but don’t expect to avoid the disadvantages of the type. Also make very nice pulling boats.

Sea-King (Boatbuilders) Ltd. — 8A High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 2EN Seaway 12’ sailing dinghy. Clinker iroko or mahogany on oak. 12’ x 5’6” x 8”(2’9”). Nice Bermudan rig dinghy of first class materials. Other rigs available. £3,800 (?). Seaway rowing dinghy. Similar to above. £2,300 (?).

Charles Beddingfield — 9 Sheringham Close, Upton, Merseyside L49 4LJ The Jolly Boat again, but this time available in kit or bare hull form to save you money but not labour. Available also as sloop instead of ketch if required. The specified weight is somewhat higher than John Kerr’s, which may not have included the sailing gear.

Construction Navales de Loctudy — Herve Belbeoc’h. Le Port 29750 Loctudy, France. Aven. Lugsail/pulling boat 15’ x 4’10”. Dagger board. Boomless lugsail. Strip plank construction in Russian fir. Strong accurate building. Recommended if you are looking for easily moved rowing boat which can still sail well. 38,000 F. Galet. Small version of the above 9’4” x 4’3”. 26,000 F.

Capt. Frank McNulty & Sons Ltd. — McNulty Quay, Corstorphine Town, Commercial Road, South Shields, Tyne & Wear NE33 1RZ. The McNulty range of clinker dinghies are quite well known now as they have been exhibiting at the London Boat Show for a number of years. Their strong sheer and beautifully lined out planking stand out, even amongst other hand built craft. 6 sizes of sailing dinghies from 7’ to 14’ are available at from £1725 to £5500. They also make GRP craft and will make you anything in timber to your specification. Strip planked Canadian canoes are also made to make your mouth water in two lengths, 14’9” and 16’6”. £1,955 and £2,185.

Black Dog Boat Co., — 15 Water Lane, Wotton-under-Edge, Glos. Coot, again. Available as gunter or lugsail. £2,500 or £2,400. Ella. 15’ English skiff. 15’ x 4’2” glued clinker ply construction. My favourite rowing boat of the show, with hand made spoon-bladed oars. £2,000.

Conrad Natzio — The Barns, Slip Road, Thurlton, Norwich NR14 6QB June Bug. Bolger-designed flat bottom rowing and sailing skiff with leeboard 14’ x 3’4” x 7”(2’7”). Not for the open sea but useful nevertheless. £1470. Whisper. Electric lightweight slipper launch. 15’6” x 4’2” x 8”. Flat bottom. Price includes everything — engine and batteries, fenders, cover, cane chairs, folding table etc. Luxury. £3,250.

Henwood and Dean — Greenland Farm, Dairy Lane, Hambledon, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon. RG9 3AS Specializing in restoration of small wooden boats.