oyster smack

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jasperthedog

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Morning All,

A long shot I know,
On my drive in Leicester sits a 1886 Johnson and jago oyster smack.
A beautiful shape but in need of a complete restoration. Not looked close for
a while but I would say 40% of the ribs need doing and half the planking plus new deck.

It seems such a shame but she has to be moved and my only option is the chain saw.

There,s mast, boom, gaff and bowsprite all very good condition. complete with cradle.

Does any body want her she desperately needs a better home than I can offer.
Other wise it means ebaying the good stuff and burning the rest.

I have pictures I can email but I,m afreaid I don't know how to load up.

All The Best,
Richard.
 
Can you give a few more details - name, dimensions, sort of thing? They've been restored from far worse condition than you describe, so the chainsaw would be a real shame.
 
She is called "Sea Mynx".

I bought her from a chap down in Sandwich, kent. I believe work was taking him abroad.
he had just finished a steel yacht by the name of "scotch pepper"

Although a long way gone I do believe she can be saved. I was hoping to do her myself but business took
a turn for the worse and time and money just isn't there.

Although she was listed as an oyster smack, probably a bit small at 25ft plus bow sprite. Would she be a cockler/prawner ?
Fished out of leigh on sea. And had a cabin added around 1940

She could be beautiful finished, I have boxes of bronze fittings,port holes, reefing drums. Theres rigging and ropes.
comes with an inboard, not seized but don't know if it runs.
I will donate all of this if someone is willing to have a go, and not just break her for scrap to make a killing on ebay.

Hopefully have some pictures soon.
 
The OP could also call the IBTC in Lowestoft to see if they are interested.

....or I could pop over and relieve you of the bronze stuff if you like :encouragement:
 
jasperthedog said:
She is called "Sea Mynx".

I bought her from a chap down in Sandwich, kent. I believe work was taking him abroad.
he had just finished a steel yacht by the name of "scotch pepper"

Although a long way gone I do believe she can be saved. I was hoping to do her myself but business took
a turn for the worse and time and money just isn't there.

Although she was listed as an oyster smack, probably a bit small at 25ft plus bow sprite. Would she be a cockler/prawner ?
Fished out of leigh on sea. And had a cabin added around 1940

She could be beautiful finished, I have boxes of bronze fittings,port holes, reefing drums. Theres rigging and ropes.
comes with an inboard, not seized but don't know if it runs.
I will donate all of this if someone is willing to have a go, and not just break her for scrap to make a killing on ebay.

Hopefully have some pictures soon.
Click to expand...

Here are some pictures of Sea Minx as forwarded to me by jasperthedog. I'm just being the IT monkey and have no other knowledge of the boat.
cheers
Rum RunView attachment 45908View attachment 45909View attachment 45910
 
I have sailed on her .........she won the Deben to Shotley race..... Shotley Classic Boat 92 ,she then belonged to Tony and Lanny who were soon off to America.

She was fast and sea worthy and is well worth saving,however as I pointed out recently "i am not doing another one" but it would be a dreadful waste to burn her.

Incidentally Tony said she was a Lee Cockler, I live in Leicester and know where she is but I dare not get to close!
 
I big thank for all the help seems like she has created a lot of interest over the years.

Rum run - thanks for the pictures

sundowner - get close, you know you want to.

As I will be shortly renting my house out, new tenants have asked for it to be moved.

Well that's bloody sister,s for you. She,s got no soul.
 
OK so I might bite. How heavy is she and could we get a trailer or would we need to hire a man with a flatbed and crane?

Note the word might, I might also get killed by SWIMBO if she sees this post!
 
Hi Phil

We moved using an extended flat bed with a crane. Unfortunately this is no longer available to me.
I would think she could go on a large trailer, but to be sure I would need to get some measurements.

Will sort out upto date photo,s and get you a "parts list" and dimensions next week.
Idealy my time scale to have her moved would be before Feb 2015 although I can leave her a bit longer.

Those pictures are about 7 years old and she has opened up and started to droop abit on the rear.


I fully understand the word "might" and perhaps she cant be saved but it is a great feeling knowing
there is so many passionate people out there eager to see her back on the water.

I thank you all.
 
might, might, might - really this is just a might. What I am trying to do is get a mate involved who has space and a bit of time and perhaps we can do enough to keep her alive. But it only a perhaps, might and slim chance. I will talk to the boss this weekend.
Anyone else do feel free - we would be a poor home for her, perhaps better then no home, so if you have a home for her, don't hesitate to get in first.
 
Update: it's going to be a fail. Storage place fell through and I'm not able to take on a full blown restoration on my own due to work and family commitments. Truly sorry and hope a good home can be found for her soon.
 
PhillM said:
Update: it's going to be a fail. Storage place fell through and I'm not able to take on a full blown restoration on my own due to work and family commitments. Truly sorry and hope a good home can be found for her soon.
Click to expand...

I fully understand Phil. Exactly the same reasons why I cant proceed any further.

I will keep banging on doors but deep down I have an idea how this is going to end. There just
seems to be to little precious free time about, and so many similar restoration cases as this.

Thank you for taking the time to even consider possible options.
 
Sea Mynx spent many years at Benfleet Yacht Club in the 60's & 70's. She was owned then by Roly woods. In the 80's he kept her at Maldon where one day her ballast keel fell off. , I would think it likely she was built by J&J's predecessor Cole & Wiggins, Roly always reckoned she was built as a yacht not a smack.
She was never a Leigh cockler totally the wrong shape & build for that trade!
A friend may have more info & i will ask him today.
 
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