CRAFTSMANSHIP
Seawind, a gaff cutter of 27ft (8.2m) built in 1908, is something of a mystery, even to her owner,
surveyor John Gillies, who has just started a “year-long” restoration. John, who also owns a Rampart
motor yacht, bought Seawind in 1999, after having sailed the 50 SqM windfall yacht Sea Scamp, to
which she bears some similarity. No doubt a slim, fast, deep, wet ride then.
Everything about Seawind is unusual: she’s thought to be a French-built ‘railway racer’ built to go
from regatta to regatta by train. Built in rebated teak clinker, to give a carvel appearance, it’s finally time
to strip the boat back and sort her out, due to an 1980s refit (plywood deck and cockpit) giving up the
ghost and rotting out. John has appointed the services of local cabinetmaker and musical instrument
maker Tony Wates (inset), who successfully turned his hand to boatbuilding a few years ago.
The strip out is complete and the planks and steamed oak timbers underneath look generally
reassuring. The first job will be to replace those that need it: about five planks and 10 ribs.
ALFRED NOBEL'S YACHT
Free to the right owner
Jan Rautawaara contacted us with the
news that his ongoing restoration of
Alfred Nobel’s yacht, the 1914-built R Class
Svea, has ground to a halt. Sad news, but
a great opportunity as he’s willing to give
her away free to the right applicant. Her
mahogany hull is apparently sound, and
she has a new keelson and some new SS
frames. Contact Jan on +358 40 5345455
or email [email protected]BRISTOL
The fourth way for
Glen Class Mylne
There were four options for
Glendhu, the 1950-built, 25ft
(7.6m) Mylne-designed Glen Class
sloop being restored by Tim Loftus at
Underfall. She proved irreparable by conventional means,
leaving four options: eke out another season with a few
repairs, do a total rebuild, start the chainsaw, or reskin in
three layers of utile using her tired hull as an armature, the
method they settled on. Re-launch is expected in spring.
LEIGH-ON-SEA, ESSEX
Major job on mystery racing yacht
Classic glass
in Venezuela
Reader Randy
Gomez
contacted us
from Venezuela
to tell us about
the restoration
he is carrying
out on a 1967,
GRP, S&S-
designed Swan
- It looks
stunning, at
least judging by
his blog:
swan36musiu.
blogspot.com
Chris Craft
Bicycles
Exciting news from
Chris Craft in the
USA. The legendary
motorboat builder
will soon unveil a
new bicycle similar
to the old, folding
‘Cabin Boy’ model.
Not much
information is as
yet forthcoming,
but we wonder if
they’ll find service
on the 0720 to
London Paddington
as well as on boats!DEVON
Ketch stars on the Tube
The 1962 ketch Windweaver is being restored at
Galmpton Creek Boatyard by owners Martyn Cocks
and Phil Henton. It looks like a big job, and has been
thoroughly documented in an 83-minute YouTube
video – just search for ‘Windweaver restoration’.6 ISSUES
FROM JUST
£19.99
GRAB THIS
OFFER TODAY
SAVING OVER 20%
OFF THE SHOP PRICEPacked with trusted,
informative and
inspirational content,
Sailing Today helps you
prepare for your next
cruising adventure.
chelseamagazines.com/
sailingtoday-P603
(for print)chelseamagazines.com/
sailingtoday-P603D
(for digital)+44 (0) 1795 419 842
quote P603 (for print)
or P603D (for digital)