Childhood memories open sailing Trip boat on South Coast 1960 s ?

[noname]

I remember as a young boy about 8-10 years old my late parents took us to somewhere on the south coast and my brother and i were treated to a trip round the bay ? on what seemed a massive (30 feet plus?) open sailing boat .
It had bench seats around the sides and as far as i remember no engine,i can remember dipping my hand in the water as we sailed .
I seem to remember boarding from a jetty on wheels that extended out deep enough to board the boat,once a common site around the coast.
It is over forty years ago now but certainly fired my passion for sailing!
I believe it was on the South Coast possibly Littlehampton?it would be great to have any input if anyone has similar memories or information.

 

[reginaldon]

Likewise in Morecambe Bay in the 40s must have been a converted prawner

 

[Keith 66]

Tripper boats like this were used at Southend until the 1960's the last one, the aptly named Skylark was on a mooring at old leigh until the mid 80's she later lay ashore at two tree island in a dreadful state later i beleive going to Sutton & smiths at wakering were she was broken up or fell to bits.
Another fine tripper boat is "Billows" a 21ft sailing tripper boat built by phillips of Rye in 1938 to work from Folkestone. She has just moved to Conyer so look out for her on the Swale.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Seem to recall that Chichester Hbr is graced (again) by a rebuilt oyster dredger that takes people out for a sail.

My own memories are of something clinker built and white with masts but with a motor also, taking trippers off of Eastbourne beach for trips to Beachy Head. Known locally as the sixpenny sicker.

 

[philip_stevens]

In the late '50's and early '60's, there were four at St.Ives that took sailing trips around the Bay. I remember wind free days (yes, we had them then) when one of the motor boats would have to go out to tow one of them back to harbour when the ebb tide caught them off the Head.

There was the Mamie, Gladys May, Seagull, and Boy Phil (my grandfathers, previously named Sunshine, but re-named after one of my uncle's who died).

Only mobos on fishing and "Seal Island" trips now.

 

[DavidNB]

As a child I remember similar on the south coast and the highlight of the trip was to touch Gypsy Moth. This was very soon after her trip, where was she first moored?

 

[Rabbie]

I'm guessing Beaulieu as Lord Montague gave Francis Chichester a free mooring there for life.

 

[Katouf]

I also remember the "Coronation" beach boat. I believe either her or the Skylark had a cabin fitted and spent a lot of time around the marshes at Old Leigh. I thought she was still there until last year?
The one sailing from the beach at Chalkwell didn't use the gangway on wheels, just picked up a buoyed anchor for the stern and sail straight onto the beach. Used a plank for boarding. Wouldn't be allowed now for H&S reasons, but I suppose that the current rules wouldn't allow the boat to be used at all! As to trailing your hand in the water . . . /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Alan
(still sailing off Chalkwell beach)