What is a Deben 4 tonner?

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Following the post about the Deben Association - google has failed me. What defines a Deben 4 tonner? I have found several for sale - all look similar but of different designers and builders as far as I can see. The reason for asking is they look very similar to my boat - Reg Freeman designed, built by Johnson and Jago in 1935 - but launched bermudan. Is it simply that the Deben 4 tonners were built by yards on the Deben?
 
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Pretty boat. Almost makes me think I could live with the maintenance. :rolleyes:

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I meant no offence, be it Deben or Devon. ;)

Always thought an electric motor, replacing a Seagull's flywheel, or indeed in the gear-case, would make an amusingly peaceful update to their oil-squirting noisy reputation.
 
Tranona said:
Having enjoyed my early sailing adventures from Waldringfield I can only agree. Perhaps that is why I grew up a contrarian.
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Humm I well recall being taken out in the evening by launch to help retrieve some Deben 4 Tonners that had run aground on a falling tide in the vicinity of Waldringfield, their keel was sometimes a hindrance with the shallows, sometimes they listed the wrong way, so water entered them; ah well, retrieving the cushions and floaty items was the order of the evening.

Yes that Deben has got a lot to answer for, but was indeed character building, so to learn on her was a joy indeed.
 
dancrane said:
I meant no offence, be it Deben or Devon. ;)

Always thought an electric motor, replacing a Seagull's flywheel, or indeed in the gear-case, would make an amusingly peaceful update to their oil-squirting noisy reputation.
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Humm well Sir Dan certainly no offence taken this end, the Deben I recall fondly as a teenager (and before) when I rowed the length in a dinghy on the tide, then rowed back again, magical and mystery abounded, {:-)#
 
dancrane said:
Hmm, that's odd...wouldn't the anchor-weight be at the bow, not the stern?
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Dan, what are you doing in this quiet corner of YBW? Have some respect! Many of us have had superb service from those 'Anchor weights'. If even slightly looked after, started second pull and kept going...Even after dunking in Alderney Harbour in a gale. Still have one.
 
I am very contrite. I like this quiet corner of the forum especially because the classic category tends not to excite antagonism.

Actually, when I was wondering yesterday, which part of the Seagull might be suitable for replacement by a Lynch motor (in order to replicate the style, without the noise) I found a nice picture of one, all the bits explained. I hope it's clear, here...

British%20Seagull_zpsbzjvxyn1.png


I do admire the idea of an engine whose simplicity make its function almost indestructible.

I wonder if we'd buy a new, 4-stroke British Seagull, still all-metal, styled exactly the same but without the reputation for idiosyncrasy?
 
dancrane said:
I am very contrite. I like this quiet corner of the forum especially because the classic category tends not to excite antagonism.

Actually, when I was wondering yesterday, which part of the Seagull might be suitable for replacement by a Lynch motor (in order to replicate the style, without the noise) I found a nice picture of one, all the bits explained. I hope it's clear, here...

British%20Seagull_zpsbzjvxyn1.png


I do admire the idea of an engine whose simplicity make its function almost indestructible.

I wonder if we'd buy a new, 4-stroke British Seagull, still all-metal, styled exactly the same but without the reputation for idiosyncrasy?
Click to expand...

Glad you used that as I was responsible for producing it in the first place (in 1979!). It shows the then new FPC model - a 40 with a clutch and 2.5:1 reduction box with seals. One of our draftsmen did the cutaway drawing. The legend was attached by our tame graphic artist in Boscombe using text mostly written by me.

Model only lasted a couple of years before being updated with electronic ignition and coded EFPC. One of the bitza prototypes, based on a 1967 engine recovered from a Bristol reservoir lives in my garage.
 
Tranona said:
Glad you used that as I was responsible for producing it in the first place (in 1979!). It shows the then new FPC model - a 40 with a clutch and 2.5:1 reduction box with seals. One of our draftsmen did the cutaway drawing. The legend was attached by our tame graphic artist in Boscombe using text mostly written by me.

Model only lasted a couple of years before being updated with electronic ignition and coded EFPC. One of the bitza prototypes, based on a 1967 engine recovered from a Bristol reservoir lives in my garage.
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Humm glad to learn that one has survived OK and is still alive or maybe not kicking ��
 
That's a great account Mr T, and very good work. I do wish today's manufacturers would show their new kit with such clear and detailed diagrams. Personally, I love the monochrome.

I won't deny...I'm starting to think I'd like one!

Just need a boat to match... :confused:
 
dancrane said:
That's a great account Mr T, and very good work. I do wish today's manufacturers would show their new kit with such clear and detailed diagrams. Personally, I love the monochrome.

I won't deny...I'm starting to think I'd like one!

Just need a boat to match... :confused:
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Humm well, only available on the East Coast kind Sir, so you just might have to travel from them thar Southern Waters ? }:-)#
 
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