Blackwater Sloop

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nrorke

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Dan Webb and Feesey were building three sizes of the Blackwater sloop for thirty odd years, so I'm sure there have been plenty around. Very occasionally I see one advertised for sale, but hardly ever, and have never found an article in a magazine about them. I own a 1936 2-1/2 tonner (18'6" - the smallest), and would be interested to hear from anyone with any experience of them as I feel as if mine is the only one left this side of Mars.

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F.B. Cooke

Who contributed an article to YM at the age of 100, had "Iolanthe", an 18ft 6ins Blackwater Sloop, as his last boat and wrote quite extensively about her - worth hunting out the book but I have forgotten which one it is. The boat herself is still about.

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cooke book

"the singlehanded yachtman" published 1946 has details of "Iolanthe" and a photo, which shares a page with "Sirius" a 2.5 ton canoe yawl built by George Cardnell here at Lawling Creek in the 30's. I have owned 3 of these yawls in the last 30 years including Sirius and they were the local opposition to the Blackwater sloops for years.
For more info on the sloops go down to the old DWF yard at Maldon and seek out John Yardley, or next door to Noddy Cardy's yard. There are still a few Blackwater sloops in both yards.

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Just bought one, called Bambino, in Fort William. Now in Ullapool where I intend to restore her.

I'd be happy to swap info, as I will be stripping her down to the bare bones before working on her. She needs a few replaced timbers (cracked) and lots of varnishwork. The mast has been stripped (bermudan sloop) and has come up a treat. Stepped in tabernacle, which must be later addition.

I am not sure exactly what size she is yet, as the literature varies so much. I have old YMs showing her ballast to anything from 9-14cwt. I suspect that she might be the 2 1/2 tonner, but have yet to measure. Maybe 3 tonner. Hard to tell. She appears to be mahogany on oak, good quality workmanship, wooden floors (not galvanised) so she's lasted well. Built 1965, so must be among the last. Sail number in the 300s (can't remember).

Topsides have been splined either from new or later. Probably from new, so she would have been a top quality job and the 60s were a good era for building wooden boats (as was the 1930s).

F Cooke's book is a good bet, and includes plans of Iolanthe, which looks pretty similar to Bambino.

Can swap photos if you like, either email or post. Would welcome a dialogue.

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Many thanks for all your responses. I've tried to get a copy of F.B.Cooke's book, but no luck as yet - will keep on trying.
Interested to hear that you've just bought one, Adrian_Morgan, and would be pleased to swop notes, info. etc.
Mine is a 1936 2 1/2 tonner which I bought in 1984, but due to other committments and the need for an almost total rebuild, I didn't launch until 1989. Since then I've been sailing happily from the Devon coast. I have a copy of Dan Webb & Feesey's original brochure for the 2 1/2 tonner, and a copy of two articles which cover the 3 & 4 tonner, you may be interested to see: "The Motor Boat" 1932, and "Yachting World"1936. These include some photos, line plans and sail plans:
I look forward to hearing from you, and any other owners.

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