We have a customer who needs to sell Starcross Viking no1 shown in the photograph.  She has not been sheathed, sealed or epoxy coated and we are told she is basically sound.  Price £350.  She would make a nice restoration project for a classic dinghy enthusiast.  Alternatively, Good Wood Boat Co would be happy to provide interested parties with prices for any or all of the work she requires to get her sailing again.  Her details are as follows:

Starcross Viking, similar to a Yachting world day boat. Mahogany on oak frames. Clinker built with copper rovings. About 15 feet long with a drop down centre board with encapsulated lead weight, drop down design rudder. The mast I am told is spruce with a “diamond” brace of single strand stainless steel. The mast is straight and in very good condition as is the boom.  There are 2 sets of sails,in good condition. Perhaps the most interesting thing here is the boats sail number which is 1. this is on the sails and also the tiller.  It comes with period snipe un-braked trailer with winch in sound but slightly scruffy condition. Year is I think 1955.

The backbone of our latest build – a Lake District hire fleet rowing boat is complete.  The picture shows the backbone set up on the building jig with moulds in place and lining out battons positioned.  The battons ensure the finished boat will have proportioned and fair lines to her planking.

The lofting of our 4 seat hire rowing boat for The Keswick Launch Company is now complete and work has started on the moulds, templates and backbone components.  The lines are similar to those of one of the exisiting hire fleet boats, but with changes to better suit it to use on Derwentwater.  The plan is to have the boat on the water for the 2012 season.

We have recently started building a traditional clinker rowing boat for the Lake District based Keswick Launch Company.  The exisiting fleet is ageing and we are working with them on their project of replacement.  The Launch company wants a shape similar to an exisiting boat (which has reached the end of its useful life), but with some significant modifications.  The starting point has been to ‘take the lines‘ from the exisitng hull (measure it), ‘loft it‘ (draw the lines full size) and then make the modifications on the loft floor.

We will provide news of her progress as the work progresses.

Our latest new build, a wooden Tideway Deluxe, is ready for fit out.  The picture shows her oiled mahogany hull with steam bent oak timbers recently fastened in place and her inwales fitted. The centre plate case is waiting for cappings and the centre thwart and the fore deck work has started with the main deck beam being postioned.

Look out for this boat at Tideway Owners Association events in 2012.

The picture shows Tideway TW47 Gannet with her new keel and hog in place.  This iconic challenge trophy winning boat came to our workshop with a clear mandate:  Replace her backbone, make her structurally sound and above all else “keep her shape”.  We’re pleased to report that she leaves the workshop today, not only with the same shape, but also, “in great shape”!

The restoration of Tideway TW233 was completed this month and boat returned to her delighted owner who thought she looked like new!   The photo shows the finished results, complete with blue sails, blue buoyancy bags,  blue halyards and blue tiller extension.  Watch out for this  stunning boat in the Lake District over this summer.

Bosham Sailing Club hosted a fabulous weekend of racing for classic day boats and dinghies of various different classes and from many differents parts of the UK.  48 boats entered, including the local fleet and 13 from other clubs, members of the ‘Classic and Vintage Dinghy Racing Association’ and Good Wood Boat’s National Redwing R249.

On Saturday the westerly wind, gusting up to 28 knots for much of the day, provided trying but exhilarating racing.  On Sunday the conditions could not be more different with sun and light winds testing a different set of racing skills.

This exciting and evocative event was an excellent opportunity to race our Redwing and  enjoy the camaraderie of like minded sailors.  Thankyou Bosham Sailing Club for your hospitality and for putting on such an excellent event.

Photo Jonathan Hoare

'Before'

'After'

Tideway 359 has recently been at our workshop to have a number of her timbers replaced.  With age and repeated cycles of movement the timbers crack, especially in the area of the mast thwart, where the loading from the mast and the shrouds is concentrated.  The photos show ‘before’ and ‘after’.  Please contact us if you need this kind of work carrying out on your wooden boat.

We have recently fitted forward side benches to TW359 a Tideway Deluxe.  This has made the boat more ammenable for sailing with a crew.   Good Wood Boat Company wishes happy sailing to all her new crew members!