The St Ayle's Skiff - as beautiful and functional as a bicycle?

[Globalti]

Coastal rowing is nothing new in Britain but in the last few years skiff racing has exploded in popularity.The St Ayle's Skiff comes as a kit, which is built during the winter months by the community then raced against other community skiffs in summer. A bicycle is supremely functional and has a beauty that comes from its simplicity of design and purpose and in the same way a St Ayle's Skiff, based on the shape of a Viking longship, has a superb line, is seaworthy and functional with few frills or adornments.

There are plenty of videos already on the web but this one has some excellent shots, which give a good idea of the grace and delicacy of the hull shape. There is also beauty in the building of the skiff by older, experienced villagers with the time and the carpentry skills and the creation of a vessel of which the community can be proud.

Here:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmD1MD9HmwQ

Smart promotional video:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=909FLChnvDI


Also look at: http://scottishcoastalrowing.org/

We plan to retire to Scotland and if we can find a home near the sea, skiff racing would be another way, along with cycling, walking and skiing, of keeping me fit, sociable and healthy into my sixties and beyond.

 

[snorri]

Coincidence! I was just taking a teabreak from doing repairs on a wooden boat that I'd built 30 years ago when I chanced upon this thread!
Fine looking vessels as you say, and bringing people in who had not before shown any interest in small boats and rowing.

 

[Oxo]

That looks a seriously good way of spending quality time with friends and neighbours. The chance to work with skilled craftsmen to to build a skiff would be a rare treat, all the incentive you would need to make your move. Good luck with your project.

 

[Slick]

One place in Scotland I noticed is not covered in your link that could interest you is Tarbert, by loch fyne. It got its name from the vikings as they carried their long boat from the east to the west loch effectively cutting of the entire Kintyre peninsula and claiming it as their own as they could sail round it. I know one particular boat builder that specialises in the local skiff, and would be well worth a look if your planning on a move beside the sea.

 

[ShooglyDougie]

I am currently building one in one of the workshops I work in. Should hopefully be ready by May. It's been great fun so far and really looking forward to trying it out. Will let you know how we get on.

 

[steve292]

View attachment 156126
I am currently building one in one of the workshops I work in. Should hopefully be ready by May. It's been great fun so far and really looking forward to trying it out. Will let you know how we get on.

Stitch and glue?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I did some skiff rowing in cph. Bloody cold.

 

[Fab Foodie]

My friend in the Outer Hebrides is just finishing his and has founded the South Uist Rowing Club:
Unfortunately whatever I do the image stays the wrong way around!

You get the idea....

 

[ColinJ]

My friend in the Outer Hebrides is just finishing his and has founded the South Uist Rowing Club:
Unfortunately whatever I do the image stays the wrong way around!

View attachment 156140

View attachment 156142

You get the idea....

This is the idea that I got ...

 

[snorri]

This is the idea that I got ...

Thank you ColinJ

PS Got any cures for a twisted neck?

 

[ufkacbln]

View attachment 156126
I am currently building one in one of the workshops I work in. Should hopefully be ready by May. It's been great fun so far and really looking forward to trying it out. Will let you know how we get on.

You are "Floki" AICMFP

 

[Fab Foodie]

This is the idea that I got ...

View attachment 156156

View attachment 156157

Thanks. Howev r I rotate tbe image and save it, it always posts tgat-away round!

 

[ColinJ]

Thanks. Howev r I rotate tbe image and save it, it always posts tgat-away round!

I used free utility IrfanView and it did the job.

It is a handy piece of software to have on a Windows computer. I especially like its batch mode. I used that when sending my sister scores of photos of a local property that I had viewed for her. I got IrfanView to resize the whole lot in one go to a more sensible size for emailing.

You can do all the usual photo stuff - resize, crop, rotate, sharpen, white balance etc. You can also do some basic painting. I use the paint functions for labelling bits of photos.

I have a more sophisticated commercial package but often use IrfanView when in a hurry.

 

[sheddy]

more boat porn http://www.tradboatfestival.com/gallery

 

[Fab Foodie]

more boat porn http://www.tradboatfestival.com/gallery

Dribble....