A Thames skiff built by a Dane in Spain

Anders Eliasson built this fabulous 12ft Thames Skiff to Selway Fisher's design in an astonishing four months, launching it last month in a lake near his home in Spain.
But he is a professional woodworker, albeit a maker of guitars for flamenco rather than a boatbuilder. His expertise in guitar construction came in handy when he needed to pull the stem on while the epoxy set.
He used a very simple technique that none of the boatbuilders seem to have acquired - a sort of cats cradle to hold it in. But apparently it is centuries old in the guitar business.

Anders also provided the quote of the year with: "Life is empty without a hull. A hull means dreaming, possibilities."
Anders is now off on holiday to southern Portugal, taking his new skiff for use on nearby waters. He has promised a report.

New whaler design from Selway Fisher

Paul Fisher has drawn a pulling boat, designed to get youth on the water which can only be good.
The 26ft whaler is based on the classic Royal Navy Montagu whalers, double ended with big round curves for seaworthiness.
The main differences are that it is a bit shorter and made of plywood using stitch'n'glue rather than clinker. It can also be built in two halves to make storage easier - I think you could fit it into most garages by stacking one half on the other.
Construction is about to start on the first boat, Paul tells me, which will be used for outward bound activities in Scotland.
If you fancy the idea of the real thing, Dick Wynne is reluctantly selling his Montagu Whaler Vancouver, based in London. Details here.