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82
CLASSIC BOAT JUNE 2019
SECTION HEAD
SUB SECTION
CRAFTSMANSHIP
BRISTOL
1955 runabout rebuild
John Raymond-Barker, whose workshop sits next door to
Star Yachts, is best known for his pilot cutters, having built
no fewer than three from new (Mischief, a replica, then
Morwenna and Edith Gray), and having restored Breeze, the
diminutive 37ft 6in (11.4m) cutter built in 1887. For him to be
tasked with the rebuild of a mahogany runabout is an unusual
challenge, but he is just now putting the finishing touches
to the restoration of a 16ft 5in (5m) 1955 Bianchi & Cecchi
Sportsman, originally built for a Genoese shopkeeper. John
has been ably assisted by another Bristol-based traditional
boatbuilder, Peter Rolt.
The Italian builder Bianchi & Cecchi were rivals to the
all-conquering Riva in the 1950s. The Sportsman was a
simple, single-engined, open model, most similar in layout
and size to the now largely forgotten Riva Sebino.
UNDERFALL BOATYARD, BRISTOL
Ferries and bridges
Win Cnoops of Star Yachts, one of a group of traditionally
minded marine firms that line the quay of Bristol’s historic
Underfall Boatyard, is best known for his ‘Bristol’ series of
Andrew Wolstenholme-designed semi-displacement motor
yachts, but has been busy with quite a diverse range of
projects. The winter months have seen Win and his small team
working on the winter maintenance of the three wooden boats
that the Bristol Community Ferry Company operates. “This year
we brought the boats inside the shed instead of on the slip,
to facilitate the finishing aspect of the job, although it makes
working on the boats more pleasurable all around,” said Win.
Another project has been work to the docks themselves, replacing
the added wooden deck layer on the bridge to the ‘island’ of
the entrance locks to the complex waterway system that is
Bristol's Floating Harbour. “The bridge itself is a historic copy
of ‘Brunel’s other bridge’ that bridged the entrance locks,”
Win explained. “The original bridge is still there as well, unused,
and truncated by 10ft (3m). We decided to copy the original
lay-out, but mirrored, instead of the ugly close-seamed ‘track’
they put on 15 years ago.”
A new volunteer at the yard, Martin Theophilus started as
a volunteer on the restoration of a 12ft (3.6m) rowing dingy
originally from Cork, built before the war, and in the family since
just after. “As it is a family heirloom, we tried to use as much of
the original material as possible,” said Win. “Although it came in
looking like a complete wreck, and distorted by a wrongly set-up
trailer, a surprising amount of planking could be saved, which is
why we dared to attempt a restoration in the first place.” It was
nonetheless a big job, requiring a new keel and hog, stern knee
and all ribs, but only four planks, mainly around the sheer area.
Finally, new thwarts, seat risers, and sole boards were fitted.
In the other shed is the Star Yachts-built Bristol 27 Eskdale
in for some “TLC,” mainly re-varnishing, and a Tofinou 7, for the
same treatment. Waiting outside is the Star Yachts-built Bristol
22 Morgana, whose owner wants a fixed windscreen and
hardtop, to improve all-weather usability.
Top: annual maintenance for the three wooden pleasure
ferries that ply Bristol's Floating Harbour
Middle: work to 'Brunel's other bridge'
Bottom: restored pre-war dinghy from Cork
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