THE
BOAT - "ALICIA" Thames
Rowing Skiff - 5 Planks
Length 12 '
Beam 3' 3''
Depth
mid section approx 13"
Weight Approx 45lbs
Click
on images to see a larger one | | | | Cutting
Planks |
| Selway
Fisher Design designed the boat and I chose her for her practicality and her elegant
lines. Taking into account the amount of portage [carrying around locks] required,
she needs to be as light as possible and by building her myself I could make her
as light as possible by using thinner ply. I also wanted a pretty boat. | Planks
cut and scarfed. | |
| The
Selway Fisher 12ft Thames Rowing Skiff is modelled on the traditional Thames river
skiffs. She is lightweight with a moderately low beam requiring the use of outriggers.
She has an elegant wine glass shaped transom and a raking bow. | | | | Bending
Garboard. |
| The
design build uses the stitch and tape method of construction. By using 4mm marine
plywood, I have been able to keep the weight to an absolute minimum [approx 45lbs]. | Starting
to take shape | |
| Once
I had cut out the hull panel shapes, I stitched them with wire, taped them with
fibreglass tape and finally bonded the panels together with epoxy adhesives. This
creates the boat shape and the finishing involves sanding, filling, varnishing
and painting. | | | | Frames
form hull shape |
| I
started building "Alicia" on Christmas Eve 2002 and she is due to be completed
by 13th April. | Transom
wired to hull | |
| Once
completed, I will assemble and fit a sliding rowing seat from Chippendale Craft,
this is a plywood box with tracks for a wooden seat and an adjustable foot rest.
The assembly should improve the performance of the boat significantly. | | | | Bow
and thwart supports |
| The
stainless steel outriggers, which have been specifically made for "Alicia" by
EH Hassell &. Sons Ltd, Mechanical, Diesel & Structural Engineers, from Trentham,
Stoke on Trent. | Epoxied
before painting | |
| The
oars will be of a traditional spoon type blade, generously provided by John Murray&
Son Butcher and Game Dealer from Loxwood. As I am currently not sure of the actual
length required yet, Guildford rowing club will be kindly lending me a pair in
order to set the boat up. | | | | Undercoat
and fairing boa |
| I
have lost count of the hours I have spent building my boat and boring my friends
with tales of her construction but I have enjoyed the exercise as much as I imagined
and I am now looking forward to putting her on the water and setting off on our
journey together. | Filled
ready for top coat. | |
|
