The Woodbridge Boatyard is at the Southampton Boat Show on the Wooden Boatbuilders’ Trade Association’s stand with two wooden boats; ‘La Mouette’, the first new Everson 11 dinghy, and ‘Jubilee’, a Deben Cherub.
‘La Mouette’ was built earlier this year and is a replica of the sailing dinghies built by the yard – formerly Everson & Sons – from 1920 to 1960. She is the first, but hopefully not the last, Everson 11 and can also be built as a rowing dinghy.
‘Jubilee’, was built by the yard in 1935, the 13th of 17 Deben Cherubs that were designed and built there. Some of the very first one-design pocket cruisers – the first Deben Cherub was built in 1924 – ‘Jubilee’ is an example of the yard’s efforts to actively rescue and re-home small classic boats like these.
“We have stepped in and saved several from the chainsaw”, explains Woodbridge Boatyard General Manager Matt Lis. “We then work to find new custodians for them. We currently have ‘in stock’ two Deben Cherubs, a Blackwater Four Tonner, a Blackwater Sloop and a Royal Harwich One Design whilst a Deben Four Tonner, ‘Maid of Veryan’, which has been rescued in this way is currently in our workshop, with new owners, receiving a comprehensive restoration.”
’Jubilee’ is currently in a state of partial restoration having had her keelbolts replaced, her keel re-bedded, her engine serviced and her paint and varnish work done to a point where she is well protected and can be kept afloat, but there is still room for a new owner to make her their own.
“We hope that by bringing these two boats to the show we can demonstrate some of the diversity of work undertaken by our team and promote various ways for people to enter into and enjoy wooden boat ownership,” explains Matt.
You can find the WBTA stand at H040, between Gate 4 and the pedestrian bridge.