By way of an experiment to discover if I can get back on the
water I have purchased a second-hand Iain Oughtred Pike Skiff. However, time is at a premium just now,
because I’m engaged with the task of building a patio in the back garden, and I want to get
it finished as quickly as possible, so that I’ll be able to try the skiff.
Today I managed to check the boat’s inventory, but as I was
doing so, rain started to fall; therefore I quickly packed everything away.
My first impression of her was very favourable. I found that
she was in excellent nick, requiring little doing to her before taking her
for a sail.
Iain reckons she “can
be pushed to windward under full sail in a F 4 – up to around 16 knots –
without becoming impossibly wet or uncomfortable.” He qualifies his
statement by adding “in sheltered waters.” That is fine for me,
because it is not my intention to take her to sea. I believe she will be fun
for use on the River Crouch and other East Coast Rivers.
Specification
LOA - 12' 1", Beam - 4' 3", Weight - 132 lbs., Sail Area - Sprit 60 sq. ft.
Links
The Pike as described by Classic Marine
Info for Builders of the Pike Skiff (PDF download)
Wooden Boat Forum – Oughtred Spike/Pike
Iain Oughtred: A Life in Wooden Boats (Hardback £22.50)
4 comments:
Nice one ne Bill. Sweet little boat. 12' seems to me to be the perfect human scale dinghy. Wishing the very best for you and your new boat Bill.
Hello Bill, she looks lovely. She could have come straight from the pages of Howard Chapelles 'Skiffs and Schooners'. Im a little intrigued by the rudder, does it hinge across the middle?
Im looking forward to hearing more about her, and of course your days out on the water!
All the very best to the pair of you, you deserve it.
Bill, I can only repeat the best wishes above. Here's hoping the skiff proves to be a worthwhile experiment.
The weather is set fair for the rest of the week, so that should help with the patio-laying!
Thanks guys for your supportive comments.
Richard, in answer to your question, the lower half of the rudder hinges on a pin at the aft end, so that it can be lifted up. I'll be doing an explanation of how it works.
Cheers,
Bill.
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