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(this is how she looked at the
launch- but let’s start at the beginning when she looked quite different!)
Whimbrel is a Belfast Lough 0 D
designed by Wm. Fife jun. and built by J.Hilditch at Carickfergus (Northern
Ireland) in 1897.
She was discovered in need of full restoration -as an empty hulk (sans
ballast keel, deck, spars etc) in October 1998 at Devoran boatyard in
Cornwall -up river from Falmouth.
1 had been fortunate to look over a sister boat -Tern in August whilst she
was undergoing a major refit at Penpol boatyard -3 miles away and was
totally smitten by her graceful lines and outright beauty -the ultimate
classic yacht design. To my great surprise Brian Pope (owner of Penpol
Boatyard) offered to sell me Whimbrel in October as her last owner was
forced to abandon the rebuild due to health reasons.
Much heart searching preceded the fateful decision to take on the enormous
challenge of restoring her single handedly with minimal experience in
boatbuilding,limited budget and a busy full time job (General Practice) in
land locked Hertfordshire 300 miles away. My aim was to achieve this in
under three years!
In fact she was launched in
April'2003 - complete except for fitting out the cabin which took another six
months ( October '03 - March '04) so it really took 4 years instead of the
planned 3 but felt much longer. As most amateur restorations which seem to
average at 7years it was not too bad for my first attempt (never again!).
I have continued the diary -post
launch and onwards which I hope you will find interesting and can be
accessed by clicking HERE or clicking on Chitchat
The for sale details can be accessed opposite or by clicking HERE
Introduction
| History | Diary | Construction Drawings
| Programme | Budget | Development Pictures
| Recommended
Suppliers | Directory
of Related Links | Chit, Chat
To
contact us:
Email:
ian.m.royston@btinternet.com
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