Ferro Boat History?

[Simes]

Hi Folks,

We have a Beutifull (well will be one day) Staysl Gaff Schooner. We think that she was build in Faversham around 1980 possibly by a chap named "Vic the Brick"? Has any one heard of him or any one else building ferro boats around Faversham in the 80s?
Failing that does any one have a list of ferro boat designers or/and builders ?

I live in hope,
Simes

 

[celandine]

I have a recollection from the 80's not of 'Vic-the-Brick', but a certain 'Mick-the-Brick' I associate him with an impressive and powerful colin-archer-type ferro yacht, though I don't recall its name. I think he was more East Coast based, possibly Brightlingsea. Try asking Peter Dodds at Iron Wharf Faversham.

If the yacht you are restoring is the one I remember, its a worthy project. I look forward to seeing her around.

I don't know what ferro building was going on at Faversham in the 80's, but two of the earliest ferro boats ever built were built there just after the Ist W.W. in about 1919. They were two auxiliary trading ketches of about 100 tons. They led a chequered life one of them having the distinction of taking out a large chunk of Southend Pier during a gale. They proved to be quite indestructable. One of them ended its days as a practice bombing target on the Dengie Flats - apparently put up quite a fight; and the other one, believe it or not, is still around. Last seen she was beeing used as a jetty at Hoo on the Medway. I must go over the river and see if she is still there. Her name was Violette.

Good luck with the project,

Mick

 

[daveyjones]

Simon, I have been researching ferro boats for some years now -I am planning to build one, but knowing the work involved , I wanted to be forewarned and forearmed! The only current source I have found for design and construction technique is Colin Brookes, of Hartley and Brookes in New Zealand. His books are available via the internet and are fascinating. try
www.hartley-boats.com or, the the world of ferroboats at www.ferroboats.com

If you are happy with your boat please tell everyone, as there is a terrible lot of prejudice (usually uninformed) against ferro!


By the way, at Iron Wharf boatyard in Faversham there is a 65ft ferro boat, not yet plastered, which is interesting as you can see the construction of a completed steel armature. The project is for sale I believe. There is another yacht there of a similar size, already plastered and fitting out. The first-mentioned boat shows the truss-frame method of building frames; older boats like yours may have the pipe-frame.

By the way, it is indeed Mick the Brick, and the people at Iron Wharf should know how to find him.

 

[celandine]

Hi David,

[ QUOTE ]
If you are happy with your boat please tell everyone, as there is a terrible lot of prejudice (usually uninformed) against ferro!

[/ QUOTE ]

You are right about the prejudice. The trouble is that every time someone builds a really straight and fair ferro boat with good shear lines etc, people automatically assume it is GRP, and the next time they see one with a wobbly shear line they say - well, that's ferro for you.

By the way there is a 38ft ferro project come in the yard since you last visited. You may be interested to see it, - it's not for sale though.

 

[aitchw]

As a matter of interest, what would you reckon the smallest hull size is suitable for ferro construction?

 

[chippie]

I think the first ferro boat ever was a dinghy.