Dick Wynne
03-05-2009, 06:34 PM
Even the venerable Montagu Whaler is capable of slight improvement for the purposes of regular communal use under oars, sail and occasionally motor. I have been trying to get mine viable for 4 years now, and along the way have learned enough to commission a more practical design (for my purposes) from Swallow Boats (of Sea Raider / Bay Raider fame) in Wales.
There are subtleties in the practical organisation of a multi-oared 'club' boat which are not immediately obvious, quite apart from the desirable lightness, speed and low maintenance. Here (http://londonwhalers.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/this_really_could_be_you.pdf)is an article I wrote a while back to explore these ideas and try to drum up interest in the concept, along with some CAD sketches from the designers. Had the current recession not hit, the first of the Celtic Whaler class would be nearing completion right now, to the same superb quality as the designer's Raider boats. She might still come about. If anyone's interested in the idea, get in touch with me or Nick or Matt Newland at Swallow Boats (http://www.swallowboats.com/).
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3322/3331286985_70bdce94d3.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3332122466_682c44bd9c_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3331287135_62e569b7bf_o.jpg
There are subtleties in the practical organisation of a multi-oared 'club' boat which are not immediately obvious, quite apart from the desirable lightness, speed and low maintenance. Here (http://londonwhalers.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/this_really_could_be_you.pdf)is an article I wrote a while back to explore these ideas and try to drum up interest in the concept, along with some CAD sketches from the designers. Had the current recession not hit, the first of the Celtic Whaler class would be nearing completion right now, to the same superb quality as the designer's Raider boats. She might still come about. If anyone's interested in the idea, get in touch with me or Nick or Matt Newland at Swallow Boats (http://www.swallowboats.com/).
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3322/3331286985_70bdce94d3.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3332122466_682c44bd9c_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3331287135_62e569b7bf_o.jpg