CORACLE
2 Coracles were built for the 2016 Tinaroo Raid as examples of simple boats that could be built cheaply and quickly. Although based on the traditional Welsh design, the WBAC coracles were covered in polythene, not animal hide but the structure of thin lathes tied with cord is faithful to the originals. These single person boats were used in shallow rivers for fishing but, with a circular form, take some skill to paddle in a straight line.
WATER RAT
The Water Rat is a single person plywood boat that can be built easily and quickly and is ideal for children to paddle. The WBAC constructed one as part of a training programme with a local school, with the boys coming into the club once a week. With 2 watertight compartments, it is virtually unsinkable and with a flat bottom more stable than a traditional canoe. It’s short length makes it highly manoeuverable and fun to paddle.
CURRACH
Built in 2018 for the Tinaroo Raid, this is a Traditional Irish design of a light wooden frame over which animal hides were stretched. The WBAC version had a light wooden frame tied together which fitted into a thicker gunwale. This was then covered in canvas and given a bitumastic coating. Being light, the currach proved a popular rowing boat. Fitted with a Seagull outboard, the Currach proved to be a serious contender in the 2019 Seagull Race, albeit a little difficult to handle.
MUSHULU
The Mushulu is a small versatile dinghy that was part built by club member Reg Cornish to hull completion stage. With a move down south imminent, Reg commissioned the club to complete the build. Members sanded, fibreglassed the hull and completed the internal fit-out over a year or so. Reg collected the finished article, an attractive little boat, in 2019.
CANADIAN CANOE
This boat started with an idea by Chris O’Keefe, which was taken up by Roger Fryer, who decided he needed a canoe! Constructed of hoop pine bead and cove strips glued together, the build was a learning curve for all concerned. Once the hull was complete and COVID 19 concerns meant no meetings, the canoe was taken home by Roger to complete the internal fittings. The canoe has been finished and was launched in March 2021.
