Rowing in Portugal

So Anders Eliasson took his new Thames skiff over the border to Portugal for a short holiday. As promised, he reports:

Lago Alqueva is an artificial lake in Portugal. Its in the south in the Alentejo province and part of the lake is on the border with Spain. It’s the biggest artificial lake in Western Europe and its more than 80km (50 miles) long. The region is also considered to be the least populated part of western Europe.I was there for 4 days with my 12´ Selway-Fisher Thames skiff and my dog, rowing some 3 to 4 hours a day.The place was a very pleasant surprise. It's late summer here and everything is very dry, but the feeling was fresh and lush. The water is not clear but it seems to be very clean with a lot of plants and fish. The whole zone is pretty deserted and accomodation is scarce. No campsite, very few hotels or B&Bs. I slept in the back of my Ford Focus van and enjoyed the loneliness. That was what I was looking for.I could imagine that the lake would be a really great place to do some serious dinghy cruising. There are an endless amount of small islands and hidden bays where you can camp wild. There´s no need for sleeping in the boat. The weather was warm but not overly hot, a maximum of some 32 degrees celsius. Most days there were a stable wind of some 6 to10 knots, in the afternoon a little stronger and in the morning less.The little skiff did great. Its not the ultimate rowing machine. Its too short and fat for that (12 x 3´8) but it is a dedicated rowing craft and you reach max hull speed with little effort. I´m looking forward to going back. Its only a two hours drive from where I live.

Thanks Anders - the HBBR folk have been discussing more far-flung cruising grounds and I think this one is now on my personal list.

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.

Thames skiff restored in Scotland

A lovely Thames double skiff made by Salters in the 1890s has been saved from the flames and restored for display and, one hopes, use.
Boatbuilder Adrian Morgan was called to give his expert opinion on the skiff, which had been stored in the roof of the Marquess of Aberdeen's sawmill at Haddo, near Aberdeen. It was almost beyond repair, he says, but they decided to restore her anyway. Now, after six months work, new oak ribs and 10 litres of Varnol, she gleams with life. What a triumph.
The whole story is on Adrian's website.

Rowing boats on eBay

Some very tempting boats are on eBay right now. This attractive Thames skiff looks robust rather than elegant and must have been a hire boat judging by the great big mooring ring on the transom. She is in Sonning on Thames and bidding stands at £100 as of now.

Below is the one I would love to have if I lived on the canals. It is a genuine Venetian sandolo, the boats that Venetians have for their personal transport and pleasure. 23ft long, it comes with oars and forcole, the sculptured oarlocks that are regarded as works of art - they are usually signed by the maker.

Sandolos are rowed standing up, facing forward. The oars are crossed, so the rower must use a complex technique known as 'knitting'. Not for the faint-hearted, and I personally would not dare do it in the busy and often choppy waters of Portsmouth Harbour, where she is pictured. In Oxford or Cambridge, on the other hand, she would be sensational.

Finally, this attractive wooden skiff is still available if you're quick. 12ft long, lying Oxfordshire, bidding now standing at £270.

1902 Thames skiff at Beale Park

This lovely thing was for sale at Beale Park for £6,200 including the trailer. The sign said Talk to the man in the boater - so if you want to do that his phone number is 01276 33509.