I keep my boat on a mooring at Kirkcudbright Harbour and occasionally when going down to my boat I cannot resist a visit to the workshop of Tim Goldstraw of The Elton Boatbuilding Co.

Tim builds a line of clinker built boats of various lengths from 14’ to 22’ either with a cabin or as an open dayboat. The standard of workmanship is fantastic and the boats look very traditional with a gaff rig, bowsprit and galvanised centreplate. When I first saw one of these boats I thought they must be terribly expensive but I have just found out that the 16’ dayboat actually costs less than a Drascombe Dabber.

Each boat is built to order and Tim can make changes within the confines of the basic structure. If any DCA members are in Kirkcudbright, perhaps for the Kirkcudbright rally then I am sure Tim would be delighted to show you a boat if he has one currently under construction.

To any DCA member who may be considering the purchase of a new boat I would recommend a visit to The Elton Boatyard. The price of open boats with foredeck are £4,136 for the 14’ and £5,170 for the 16’. He also builds the dayboat in 18’ and 20’ but there is so much room in the 16’ that I imagine that this would be the most popular among DCA members. He also builds a cabin version at £9,306 for 18’ to £14,993 for 22’. All these prices include sails, mast and rigging but do not include engine, trailer etc.

I may say that I have no connection with The Elton Boatyard other than we both live in Kirkcudbright.