The original* wooden clinker Kestrel was designed by F.J.
(Jack) Jones, for construction in mahogany on oak. Some were fitted with
ballasted keels and other had centreboards. They were first built in 1955.
‘Caraway’, shown in these photos, must have been a fairly
early boat, because she has the basic coachroof without the extended forward
section that was added to later boats. She also appears to have an inboard
engine.
These attractive vessels were built by a number of builders:
F. Halls and Son, of Walton-on-the-Naze, commenced building them in 1956 with
36 to their credit, and I know that at least one was built by C. D. Pugh, of
Barry, South Wales, namely ‘Bluebell’, with sail number 103. I’ve heard it said
that at least 300 were built, and a good many of them in the ‘Kestrel Shed’ at
Robertsons Boat Yard, Woodbridge, Suffolk. That was in the late 50’s. There
were variations of the internal layout, according to the requirements of prospective
owners.
The first GRP Kestrel 22 was ‘manufactured’ in the late 1960’s.
No longer was she a clinker boat, and her upper raised deck moulding, along
with an extended coachroof, vastly increased the internal volume for improved
accommodation. Personally, I think the GRP version is ugly by comparison with
Jack Jones’s original, elegant clinker yacht.
Links
*Kestrel No. 1 ‘Flare’
Sailboat Data.com – Kestrel 22
Forum Wooden Kestrel 22
Frank Halls and Son Ltd.
Robertsons of Woodbridge (Boatbuilders)
GRP Kestrel 22 for Sale
Kestrel 22 for Sale – Fibreglass Version
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