tidclacy
Active member
Hi has anyone got experience of these boats as I am thinking of buying one.
Oyster Catcher 16
- Thread starter tidclacy
- Start date
Black Diamond
Active member
There's rather a nice looking one that is for sale in Tollesbury, by the erroneously named sail lofts. The broker got some free advertising from ITV in the opening episodes of that New Liar tosh that's on telly at the moment. Haven't got any experience of the boat though, other than they're jolly nice to behold on the water.
Romeo
Well-known member
No, but here is a video of one. Strurdy pocket battleship which I would prefer to a shrimper. Pocket though, and for a boat that size I prefer an open boat. Each to their own though.
tidclacy
Active member
Thinking of a small weekender for the river Blackwater and surroundings. so a small cabin ideal.
wombat88
Well-known member
Isn't this boat a bit deep for creek crawling?
ianc1200
Well-known member
Are Oyster Catcher 16's and Oysterman 16's two different boats? Googling them seems to indicate so.
So perhaps not relevant, I've got a video of the East Coast Classics from 1992 - racing in high winds from Shotley etc. There's two Oysterman 16's, one cutter rigged and one sloop rigged. They could quite clearly handle a lot of wind and the voice over was discussing which was the better in the conditions (I can't remember his conclusion).
There are some very (very) short YouTube video's from the person who did the video - search under "smacksman".
The Tollesbury Oyster Catcher or Oysterman 16 was from sale when we did smack boat racing there last Mayday bank holiday so you would have thought open to reduced offers.
So perhaps not relevant, I've got a video of the East Coast Classics from 1992 - racing in high winds from Shotley etc. There's two Oysterman 16's, one cutter rigged and one sloop rigged. They could quite clearly handle a lot of wind and the voice over was discussing which was the better in the conditions (I can't remember his conclusion).
There are some very (very) short YouTube video's from the person who did the video - search under "smacksman".
The Tollesbury Oyster Catcher or Oysterman 16 was from sale when we did smack boat racing there last Mayday bank holiday so you would have thought open to reduced offers.
Black Diamond
Active member
You are absolutely spot-on, Ian, the vessel in Tollesbury is an Oysterman 16, here is the advert:
1984 Oysterman 16 Sail New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk
1984 Oysterman 16 Sail New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk
tidclacy
Active member
Towing a dingy as Avatar if possible .
Get your point though they draw 2 foot.
Get your point though they draw 2 foot.
tidclacy
Active member
Unfortunately just been sold.
wombat88
Well-known member
Odd, looking at these boats on the internet, draft is .62 metres or thereabouts. Looking at pictures it seems much, much more...but...I've just realised that .62 metres draft on a 16 footer looks a lot more than it is. So apologies.
I looked over one a couple of years back. Nicely thought out and they certainly look as though they might sail quite well, certainly better than the Winkle Brig we had some years back.
I looked over one a couple of years back. Nicely thought out and they certainly look as though they might sail quite well, certainly better than the Winkle Brig we had some years back.
ianc1200
Well-known member
Simple google search reveals Oysterman 16 was a Paul Gartside design, based on Falmouth working boats, with a draft of 3'.
The similar Oystercatcher 16 (which I suspect were the one's on the Shotley Classics video, good excuse to dig out and watch again to be sure) slightly shallower at 2'.
I think it's a matter of scale - they look bigger boats, therefore the depth looks greater - say like a Heard 23', therefore about 5' deep. When we were at Tollesbury I'm sure I said to my friend - what a deep boat, not suitable for the East Coast etc, yet that Oysterman was only 3' deep. It just looked a lot more! (edit, it would also lean over a lot more when drying out, so perhaps it's more the underwater profile)
The similar Oystercatcher 16 (which I suspect were the one's on the Shotley Classics video, good excuse to dig out and watch again to be sure) slightly shallower at 2'.
I think it's a matter of scale - they look bigger boats, therefore the depth looks greater - say like a Heard 23', therefore about 5' deep. When we were at Tollesbury I'm sure I said to my friend - what a deep boat, not suitable for the East Coast etc, yet that Oysterman was only 3' deep. It just looked a lot more! (edit, it would also lean over a lot more when drying out, so perhaps it's more the underwater profile)
Bryan Gibson
New member
Hi everybody,
I am Bryan Gibson, owner of Mayfly Classic Boats, creator of the Oystercatcher 16, 20 and 27. I also re-developed the Oysterman 22. Maybe a few of you remember me exhibiting at Southampton, London, the caravan and camping how at the NEC , The East Coast Boat Show at Ipswich, Brest 92 and many other venues and boat shows between 1992 and 2010. I also wrote in Boating Business Magazine as Bilge Rat, exposing all the 'fun and frolics' of the UK boat building industry from the inside.
If any of you out there wish to know the truth about my boats, just ask.
My moulds are still in existence, I just need a little enthusiasm ( orders) to return my boats back into production.
Bryan Gibson.
Oddbird
New member
The boat that made the biggest impact on me in a lifetime of shore-based interest in classic pocket boats was your Oystercatcher 16 at the London Boat Show (Earl’s Court) in mid/late 1980s. The interior was perfection personified. If I could find/build an Oysterman 22 with similar interior ... How can I reach you? Couldn’t find you on internet. Hope this finds you in good spirits.
Bryan Gibson
New member
Bryan Gibson
New member
Hi Oddbird,
You quoted the 80's in your e mail to me, but my first boat show was The East Coast Show at Ipswich in 1992, then Southampton 1992 and then London in 1993, so you may be praising us for work we did not complete, but believe me, I set out to make beautiful interiors to my yacht range, as well as making them work as attractive and efficient living areas making the best of very small spaces. I redeveloped the OY22 and disposed of the trotter berths and moved the heads area into the forward cabin, which opened-up the mid hull accommodation massively. My cabinet maker specialised in solid cherry and American white oak timber for interior woodwork and Burmese teak, externally. My partner at Gweek, Chris Jones, carried out a couple of re-builds, but the OY 22 was far too costly to build new. The OY 20 is a much more affordable proposition, especially when labour rates are now so high compared with 25 years ago.
Call me on 07828 264067 and we can have a chat. I am looking at the prospects of making timber kits easily attached to GRP interior mouldings. Hopefully an instantly achieved and recognised uniform professional standard, which is good for both builder and customers' past and future reputation and financial value and reputation.
At the moment I am bringing my Oystercatcher 16 back to life, having just built a new house overlooking the Camel estuary and I'm in the process of re-purchasing one of my previous 16's in almost new condition,. I'll be using her as a template for new locker and sub-moulds, as being a reference to my past activities. If you wish to build a big boat, we have a 27 footer hull in blue already moulded, but the OY 27 currently has no interior sub mouldings or a deck moulding, unlike the OY20. I have also not owned the OY 22 moulds for at least 20 years.
I hope to hear from you soon, as Covid19 can't stop us speaking over the phone!
Regards,
Bryan Gibson
You quoted the 80's in your e mail to me, but my first boat show was The East Coast Show at Ipswich in 1992, then Southampton 1992 and then London in 1993, so you may be praising us for work we did not complete, but believe me, I set out to make beautiful interiors to my yacht range, as well as making them work as attractive and efficient living areas making the best of very small spaces. I redeveloped the OY22 and disposed of the trotter berths and moved the heads area into the forward cabin, which opened-up the mid hull accommodation massively. My cabinet maker specialised in solid cherry and American white oak timber for interior woodwork and Burmese teak, externally. My partner at Gweek, Chris Jones, carried out a couple of re-builds, but the OY 22 was far too costly to build new. The OY 20 is a much more affordable proposition, especially when labour rates are now so high compared with 25 years ago.
Call me on 07828 264067 and we can have a chat. I am looking at the prospects of making timber kits easily attached to GRP interior mouldings. Hopefully an instantly achieved and recognised uniform professional standard, which is good for both builder and customers' past and future reputation and financial value and reputation.
At the moment I am bringing my Oystercatcher 16 back to life, having just built a new house overlooking the Camel estuary and I'm in the process of re-purchasing one of my previous 16's in almost new condition,. I'll be using her as a template for new locker and sub-moulds, as being a reference to my past activities. If you wish to build a big boat, we have a 27 footer hull in blue already moulded, but the OY 27 currently has no interior sub mouldings or a deck moulding, unlike the OY20. I have also not owned the OY 22 moulds for at least 20 years.
I hope to hear from you soon, as Covid19 can't stop us speaking over the phone!
Regards,
Bryan Gibson
Lizzie Bailey 1845
New member
Message for Bryan Gibson
We purchased a Oystercatcher 16 in October 2020 called Lizzie. The building plaque displays Mayfly Classic Boats Oystercatcher Yard Number 7 The Boatyard Gweek Quay Helston Cornwall
We have spent the time from October to now restoring and refitting her ready for launching at the end of March
Details of her from the previous owner have been scarce and we are keen to find more about the design and class. We understand she was originally built in 1994.
Are you able to help us with our research to know the design and intended concept
We would be very grateful to hear from you
We are based in Suffolk and Lizzie will be kept on the river Deben at Tidemill Yacht Harbour Woodbridge
Thank you
Regards
Chris & Jaki Bailey
lizziebailey1845@gmail.com
07516 663712
We purchased a Oystercatcher 16 in October 2020 called Lizzie. The building plaque displays Mayfly Classic Boats Oystercatcher Yard Number 7 The Boatyard Gweek Quay Helston Cornwall
We have spent the time from October to now restoring and refitting her ready for launching at the end of March
Details of her from the previous owner have been scarce and we are keen to find more about the design and class. We understand she was originally built in 1994.
Are you able to help us with our research to know the design and intended concept
We would be very grateful to hear from you
We are based in Suffolk and Lizzie will be kept on the river Deben at Tidemill Yacht Harbour Woodbridge
Thank you
Regards
Chris & Jaki Bailey
lizziebailey1845@gmail.com
07516 663712
Lizzie Bailey 1845
New member
Message for Bryan Gibson
We purchased a Oystercatcher 16 in October 2020 called Lizzie. The building plaque displays Mayfly Classic Boats Oystercatcher Yard Number 7 The Boatyard Gweek Quay Helston Cornwall
We have spent the time from October to now restoring and refitting her ready for launching at the end of March
Details of her from the previous owner have been scarce and we are keen to find more about the design and class. We understand she was originally built in 1994.
Are you able to help us with our research to know the design and intended concept
We would be very grateful to hear from you
We are based in Suffolk and Lizzie will be kept on the river Deben at Tidemill Yacht Harbour Woodbridge
Thank you
Regards
We purchased a Oystercatcher 16 in October 2020 called Lizzie. The building plaque displays Mayfly Classic Boats Oystercatcher Yard Number 7 The Boatyard Gweek Quay Helston Cornwall
We have spent the time from October to now restoring and refitting her ready for launching at the end of March
Details of her from the previous owner have been scarce and we are keen to find more about the design and class. We understand she was originally built in 1994.
Are you able to help us with our research to know the design and intended concept
We would be very grateful to hear from you
We are based in Suffolk and Lizzie will be kept on the river Deben at Tidemill Yacht Harbour Woodbridge
Thank you
Regards
Monty John
New member
Is it correct that 'catcher' draft 2ft and 'man' 3ft?
Other threads that may be of interest
