Coracle

[nigelp]

Some weeks ago I purchased some ash lathes, calico and instructions from Terry Kenny, Newport Coracles. Finally last weekend I had a chance to start putting it all together.

I started with the seat and wooden supports that keep the bottom flat.

Two lathes together helped to form the shape of the gunwales section

First rib in place, and that turned out to be the easy bit!

Few more stretchers bent up to the front, or is that the back?

More ribs

Eventually after much cursing, broken lathes and a very steep learning curve the main frame was complete

I could not resist a dry run, I suspect this will be the driest run yet!

Frame all painted up ready for calico and bitumen paint

Calico all tightened, sewn and stapled to the gunwales

3 coats of bitumen paint and ready for final outwales and inwales and a bit of finishing off

All completed and ready for maiden voyage!

Nigel

 

[naylor b]

looks cool
have you tried it in the water yet?

 

[nigelp]

looks cool
have you tried it in the water yet?

No, will have a go during the week when the tides right!

 

[sharp88]

I made one on a course with Terry Kenny. Floating teacup. Quality none the less.

 

[scanker]

Looks great. Lots of good pics too.

 

[pothunter]

Nice one Nigel

Don't know about the sea worthiness of a coracle usually used for river crossing laying nets traps and carrying sheep.

Will be very interested to know how you get on.

Good luck Pothunter.

 

[jon r]

Wow!, looks like you've done a fantastic job! Cant wait to see it on the water! Great step by step photos too! This is another thing im going to have to make!

Many thanks

Jon

 

[loz.]

carrying sheep.

I'd love to see the pics of that !!!

 

[nigelp]

Wow!, looks like you've done a fantastic job! Cant wait to see it on the water! Great step by step photos too! This is another thing im going to have to make!

Many thanks

Jon

I did take a whole load of pictures that where very step-by-step and will put in a album over the weekend. It was easy to make and I would recommend the instructions available form Terry or have a look at this link here for a ply wood one or more traditional? I am going to bring it to the moot as well if anyone fancies a go!!

I hope to launch the thing this week, I wont be taking any sheep with me for the maiden voyage though!

Nigel

 

[Ogri the trog]

I could not resist a dry run, I suspect this will be the driest run yet!

Nigel

Nigel,
That simply has to be the best photo I've seen for a very long time - absolutely brilliant!
Great project, looking forward to seeing how she handles.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Eric_Methven]

Excellent photos. It looks to have a nice flat bottom, not tippy at all.

Eric

 

[nigelp]

Excellent photos. It looks to have a nice flat bottom, not tippy at all.

Eric

I have put together a more concise set off photos here.

I hope the flat bottom will keep it stable, I will find out Thursday when I intend to launch her!

 

[SOAR]

Looks like a job well done there fella let us all know how you got on with your first voyage.

 

[nigelp]

Looks like a job well done there fella let us all know how you got on with your first voyage.

OK, thanks!!

So the day of the maiden voyage arrived and my misses came along to watch and dutifully take some photos of the action.

Looks water tight?

Confidently I jumped in and set off for the first paddle

Goes really well

Off up the creek

So stable Hannah jumped right in as well

Short video of the first few minutes here (may be available later, just uploaded!)

Nigel

 

[spamel]

No life jacket? Naughty Hannah!

Looks like a good little coracle, loads of fun to be had with it and it should last you years!

Well done!

 

[SOAR]

Looks to have worked a treat. Hope you have many memorable trips in it, love the photos.

Simon.

 

[RobertRogers]

Very good! Never seen one in action before this!

 

[fishfish]

thats brill!well done!

 

[Gwhtbushcraft]

Did you get to use it at the bushmoot?
George

 

[Jedadiah]

No he did'nt! Timinwales and i were talking to Nigel about it the first night we were there but we thought it might not be such a good idea as the strong current and tidal fluctuations would probably have him in Somerset before lunchtime. Good idea if you fancy cider but not so clever if you've left your van in South Wales!

I had a mental picture of him trying to hitch along the M4 with a coracle strapped to his back, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles go Bushcraft, with his thumb stuck out!