NUTMEG Work to this ex-hire Broads yacht is considerable. The job is
effectively a rebuild that involves a shortening of the hull
PUNT This Cambridge punt is finished and awaiting delivery to its owner, after a
series of repairs that included graving pieces, knee, planks and sternNAVAL PINNACE 30ft (9.1m) Vigar, one of 19 such built for the RN in
the Second World War, awaiting a new deck and cabin
Below: Vanity,
the 14ft
half-decker
required 600
new fasteningsFORESTER Work has started on another Broads yacht – this 33-footer (10m).
Her bow has been stripped back to bare wood to enable repairs to seamsWanderbird III. She remained in hire until the late
1960s. Between 1986 and 1992 she underwent a series
of changes including the lengthening of her hull by 4ft
(1.2m), increasing the rig from the original 300sq ft
(27.9m^2 ) gunter rig to a gaff topsail rig of 700sq ft
(65m^2 ), adding a bigger keel, fitting a fourth berth and
replacing the deck and all timbers. However, in more
recent years she had suffered the effects of prolonged
inactivity with about 2-3in (5-8cm) of standing water in
the bilges that took an inevitable toll on her garboards,
hog and timbers. This, combined with a cracked stem
and brittle mahogany planking, led to the decision to
effectively build a new hull. As part of the work, the
owner decided that Nutmeg should be shortened to
25ft 4in (7.7m) to regain her former more elegant lines.
Fortunately, the cabin was in much better shape. It
has required only minor repairs and is due to be
lowered into position as we go to press.
A quick glimpse within a storage container
revealed a 26ft (7.9m) Cambridge punt awaiting
delivery to its owner. The work carried out by the
yard included fitting a number of graving pieces in
the sides, replacing several knees, a plank and
repairing the stern. Elsewhere, work was progressing
on the yard’s first pair of winter regulars. The 30ft
(9.1m) classic Broom motor cruiser Nemo had been
brought into the main shed for its wooden cabin sides
to be re-varnished while, in the adjacent shed, work
was getting underway on the 33ft (10m) Broads yacht
Forester. Her bow has been stripped back to enable
some of her seams to be repaired. When Nutmeg is
launched, Henry and Harry will turn their attention to
the 30ft (9.1m) motor pinnace Vigar. She was one of 19
such craft to be built for the Royal Navy in World War
II and completed by the Itchenor Yacht Co in 1944.
Work will include replacing the decks and cabin.
Based on their achievements to date, Henry and
Harry are optimistic about their future prospects and
firmly believe that there is a solid future in wooden
boatbuilding on the Broads for young people who
have the passion for classic boats and are prepared
to put in the hours. With this confidence and
their increasingly solid track record, it will be
fascinating to see how the partnership develops.Henry Harston & Harry Grapes, Broadland Boat
Builders, Tel +44 (0) 1493 800335
broadlandboatbuilders.co.uk