Blog

An update on the build process courtesy of Andrew and Colin.

Building a boat in a freezing cold shed in the winter, in Moidart in the Highlands is a challenge; we have only a few hours a week and (for my part) it can involve a 1,000-mile road trip to and from Bath to keep things moving along. There are times where we turn up at the shed and it’s cold and wet and we wonder what on earth we have let ourselves in for.

And then… the lights come on, the big heater roars into life, the banter starts, and I realise that I am indeed very lucky to be working alongside an amazing group of highly talented, motivated new friends. I swore I would never build another boat again but boy am I glad I said yes to this project. I now feel ‘rooted’ in my new home here and I’m excited to be involved.

Many of you will have seen images of the aprons and stems being laminated and fitted to the build jig (these are the inner and outer curved bow and stern timbers).

Since then, the Keelson (inner keel) has been scarfed (joined) and glued to the aprons and carefully shaped to take the planking (each plank joins the stem/stern at a slightly different compound angle and the structural members need to be shaped to achieve a good faying surface (the surfaces where the parts meet and are glued are called faying surfaces).

The first two planks to be hung are the Garboards, these lie along the keel and are a key structural part of the hull. The garboards are now in place and look fabulous – they are always tricky to fit and the process often involves a lot of swearing 😀 since they are almost vertical at either end where they join the stem / stern but near horizontal amidships where there is little deadrise (V shape in the hull).

The next four planks (two planks either side) can be tricky too, but these are now glued in place and the next two are prepared, Gains and Lands have been planed (gains are where the planks taper into each other as they enter the stem and stern), the overlap gradually disappears and gives a really stylish look to the hull if done well. Lands are where each plank ‘lands’ on the next and form an overlap to keep the water out. So, when these planks (eight so far) are in place, the hull will be well over half-planked. I think she’d float as she is… albeit with only four inches of freeboard (freeboard being the distance from the waterline to the Gunwale – edge of the boat where the oars rest).

Apologies for all the boatbuilding terminology, but it’s an important part of the romance and mystique of this exciting nautical adventure! 😀

It has been a little while since I last posted however a lot has happened in that time. The last couple of months have been particularly active for the build team who have been making steady progress. After making the shed wind and water tight again after Storm Ashley the mould was built (twice!) and this will be used to support the build of the boat around it.

Planing and fairing of the stem and hog lines has begun but there is still a wee bit to do before the first planking is glued. With the glue very much sensitive to cold weather the team will need to carefully time when to start glueing, and once all the planks are glued then a lot, and I mean a LOT of sanding will begin!

Okay, so we didn’t exactly enter one of the ‘make your own’ categories at the Moidart Produce Show as such, but we certainly made a fine entrance so to speak with our first attendance at probably the most well attended event in the local calendar.

A pleasantly warm, sunny day gave us the ideal opportunity to chat with many local residents about our plans and aspirations for the club. In time, hopefully the positive response received will convert into new members willing to assist us as we soon begin building our first skiff!

Thanks again to all the members of the show committee and the Stewart’s of Kinlochmoidart for allowing us to attend such a fine event. We truly appreciate the opportunity and the rare exception being made to allow us to exhibit at the show.

For our new members and hopefully future members I would heartily encourage watching this inspiring and fascinating video produced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the St. Ayles skiff. Not only does it give an insight into the camaraderie of a skiff club and the skiff build process, but it also shows how widespread and accessible the sport has become for communities across Scotland and beyond.

At some point in the future we will also have to name our skiff however I dare say we won’t be using the two cheeky suggestions mentioned by Topher Dawson of Ullapool Coastal Rowing Club in the video!

Ably led by our illustrious build leader Pod, Moidart Skiffies have taken a big step towards being ready to build their first skiff. A team variously at times comprising of (if I remember correctly) Angus, Anna, Donald, Fiona, Frances, Karen, the two Marks, Peter and Pod have created a dry workspace. A number of whom have put in a significant amout of their time and effort which is greatly appreciated.

This was not an easy task given it was open to the elements only a few weeks ago and pretty much had a small burn running through it at one point, not to mention chickens running amok and leaving egg based surprises here and there!

Over the next few weeks Pod will direct efforts to improve the lighting and electrical arrangements and then the skiff build can begin in earnest.

On behalf of the members of Moidart Coastal Rowing Club I would like to express our gratitude to Steven Marshall for allowing the club to use a wonderful photograph from his portfolio capturing the beauty of the West Highland Peninsulas.

The photograph used for our homepage main image is titled ‘Summer Tranquillity II – The Small Isles of Eigg and Rùm viewed from Smirisary, Moidart’ and is available to purchase from Steven Marshall Photography.

Many thanks Steven!

It has been quite an effort however I am pleased to say that our website is finally ready. Thanks to all those that helped get us to this point including Anne, Anna, David, Jamie, Lou, Peter and me I guess. Hopefully I haven’t forgotten anyone.

A special note of thanks should also be given to Krystal Hosting who have kindly not charged us for hosting our website and other online services such as email. I really can’t convey how impressed I am with them as a company in their commitment to first class service while also minimising their impact upon the environment. It is quite something for a company to commit to planting 1,000,000,000 (yes 1 billion) trees by 2030!

Also as I am sure the keen observers amongst us will have noted, the main image is still the one taken from Arisaig however an updated photograph of the Small Isles taken from Moidart will be uploaded soon!

Moidart Skiffies Sponsored Row helps get Scotland’s Newest Club up and running

In the picturesque landscape of Glenuig Village Hall, a new chapter in coastal rowing is unfolding. The Moidart Coastal Rowing Club, Scotland’s newest addition to coastal rowing, has embarked on a remarkable journey. Not just a journey across the Sound of Arisaig, but one that symbolises community spirit, ambition, and the collective endeavour to make a dream a reality.

The brainchild of Lou Johnson, she brought together a team to take part in a sponsored row. One that aimed to mirror the ambitious journey from Glenuig to the North of the Isle of Eigg and back, covering a distance of 50 kilometres (or 27 nautical miles). This event was a test of teamwork and of the club’s aspirations. The Moidart Coastal Rowing Club, through this event and the Curry Night 7 weeks before, sought not only to mark its inception but also to gather the crucial funds needed to build its first boat and set the stage for the club’s activities. Lou said “I thought a sponsored row would be a great way to start to get the wider community interested in rowing, not only to raise funds for Moidart Skiffies, but also as a way to encourage improved fitness and stamina through rowing. It certainly provoked a lot of interest and I was so impressed that our rowing volunteers stuck with us to achieve our goals. I want to sign them all up immediately to get out rowing on our skiff, once built!”

The event took place in the heart of the community, the village hall in Glenuig, on the 24th of April. It was a day when the rowers, were not battling against the waves but against the resistance of a rowing machine. The camaraderie and energy was fantastic with every stroke on the rowing machine showing the fledgling team’s commitment towards the club’s start-up.

So far, the sponsored row has been a great success, raising £1,900 out of the £2,500 target. This stands as a testament to the community’s support and the collective belief in the value of coastal rowing, not just as a sport, but as a vehicle for bringing people together, fostering a sense of belonging, and contributing to the social and physical wellbeing of the community.

However, the journey doesn’t end here. The Club is still welcoming sponsorships, as there is still a stretch of water to cross to reach the fundraising target. Supporting the Moidart Coastal Rowing Club at this juncture means contributing to more than just the construction of a boat. It means supporting the growth of a community club that values inclusivity, health, and the joy of rowing. It’s an opportunity to be part of a legacy that will open up opportunities for the people in the area and continue to support our long marine heritage.

We invite you to join us on this voyage. Let’s pull together, for every contribution brings us closer to our goal. With your support, the Moidart Coastal Rowing Club will not only reach its fundraising target but will also embark on its mission to enrich the lives of its members and the wider community through the joy of rowing.

To those who have already contributed, your generosity lights the path forward. As part of the Rewards offered on our sponsored row Crowdfunder page, we’d like to thank the following people and those who donated anonymously. You are AWESOME!!!

• Mel Williams
• Mark Shickell
• Jonathan Knox
• Louise Johnson
• Peter Langhorne
• Anne Widdop
• Karen and Michael Polkey
• Ingvild Begg
• Kit Devine
• Quentin Paterson
• Phil Smith
• Christopher Erdal
• Helen Lucas
• Mark Reynolds
• Robert Clegg

Together, we can ensure that the Moidart Coastal Rowing Club gets going and we can move towards a future filled with promise, camaraderie, and the timeless thrill of sea rowing.