Wooden Boats

Little Dorrit

Little Dorrit

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27 Jan 2010
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Any help Budget 8k - £12K - I know its low but you never know!

Mainly:
Make - Respected Builders & Designers
Age - Does it matter??
Things to look out for - don't say rot!
Suitability for Single Handed Sailing - yes/no is ok
Availability of Suitable Vessels - loads / keep an eye out / rare
Annual Maintenance Costs - high (30% of boat value) / medium 30% - 50% of boat value) / high (50% plus of boat value)
Heating (how)

I know its all a bit hypothetical but I have decided I want a WOODEN BOAT...so where do I start?

Here of course!!
 
Stellas are worth a look. I had one and wish I still did. They sail very well, easy to single hand and within your budget. Maintenance as with any wooden boat, is not difficult as long you keep on top of it.
 
You start by finding one you like, regardless of it's designer, condition, age, suitability and handling. It will then take all the money you can afford to spend on it.

If you intend to maintain it yourself (and since you have a budget I'll assume thats the case) I'd advise not going bigger than 30-35 feet. Other than that the world is your oyster.
 
You should find something for that money although probably not pristine. IMHO thats a bonus with a wooden boat as in bringing it up to scratch you will learn to maintain it which is part of the joy of wooden boats. Try find a fishing boat, they often have various types of wooden craft from traditional fishing to yachts in various states of repair. They are usually more sensibly priced that yacht brokers as well.
 
rosewood said:
Hillyard 9 ton. Great boat. Although I'm biased
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There are some very GOOD reasons to choose a Cheverton:

1) local designer with many links

2) fancy a friendly regetta, then join the class at Cowes Classics week

3) David Cheverton loves seeing the boats he designed back in the water. Means you get the original designers input on the restoration, if you want it.

4) much less than your budget and several local boats for sale - check this out http://cheverton.org.uk/forsale.html

5) want to see one, send me a pm and you can!


I am biased of course, I've just spent 3 years restoring one:)
 
sailorman said:
assume she is local East Coast
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I am assuming she is still at West Mersea; that is were he lives.

Have not seen the boat since the VOA rally in 2009 but, one thing is for sure, the sails and rig are perfect as he used to enjoy 'gentle duelling' with another Vertue owner (the President of East Coast Old Gaffers at the time).

With the planned budget of the OP she could be made to sparkle in no time (or almost no time :) ).
 
chinita said:
I am assuming she is still at West Mersea; that is were he lives.

Have not seen the boat since the VOA rally in 2009 but, one thing is for sure, the sails and rig are perfect as he used to enjoy 'gentle duelling' with another Vertue owner (the President of East Coast Old Gaffers at the time).

With the planned budget of the OP she could be made to sparkle in no time (or almost no time :) ).
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I guessed she was local due the the sail wardrobe
 
Suttle said:
Stellas are worth a look. I had one and wish I still did. They sail very well, easy to single hand and within your budget. Maintenance as with any wooden boat, is not difficult as long you keep on top of it.
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+1
Stellas were my 1st love and still miss mine after 13 years.
Also by Holman;
Holman 26 [Stella But] non clinker
Twister, some nice Upham built wooden ones in the price range.
or
Folkboat [or variations] there were a lot of Polish built mahogany carvel ones imported.
 
Well if you must have a wooden boat OK. I can't suggest I really understand that need however it must be around working on the wood and of being able to display the end result.
We have had Wooden Boat Shows here in the past and I must admit they can look very good. I would suggest however that you consider a boat which can easily be taken to a place for working on the boat. A boat you can take home on a jinker or trailer.
Regarding the other requirements they seem to imply you are more keen on actually being at sea. In which case go for plastic. (trust me there is still enough work even wood work to be done.)
I think the real beauty of plastic is that it will survive long periods of neglect compared to wood. So basic hull will be OK refardless of time and neglect.

Any boat of reasonable size is suitable for single handing. Accomodation is what you make it and seaworthiness is afain more likely about the skipper than the boat though modifications can be made to improve seaworthiness. good luck olewill
 
paella said:
I know its all a bit hypothetical but I have decided I want a WOODEN BOAT...so where do I start?
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You could begin by making an appointment with a psychiatrist! I say this as a long term wooden boat owner.

Amulet (see:http://flic.kr/s/aHsjmtgt2k) was professionally valued at about £12k after a spend of £8k last year to simply replace all sorts of bits and fastenings that were giving up after 50 years.
She's not for sale. She looks like a Folkboat or Stella but weighs over a ton more due to being fuller and more robustly built. She has standing headroom, a separate head, and an oven due to the extra space.

I have had all the work done professionally and have spent about £3K on maintenance in a good year with some major peaks for special projects. I expect to do some of the work myself when I retire.

Might give you an idea what you get for your money.

I could easily spend £10k on her this winter if I was prepared to! I hate her engine (very reliable, but horribly noisy and underpowered). I would love to upgrade her sails and rigging to a more high performance spec (keeping the wooden mast of course) etc...
 
Thanks for the replies. I have read all the posts with interest and am going to look into all the suggestions:
Stellas
Peter Duck 29
Holman 26
Twister
Folkboats
Hillyard
Cheverton

It could be useful to get some more info on these designs if anyone knows of any good websites dedicated to any of these it could be useful...?

Thanks once again.
 
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