Well here she is with the molds set up on the keel and the planking battens in place. I’ve described the boat as a traditional experiment in that the hull form got its inspiration from a mixture of Architectura Navalis from which I got the wineglass hull sectioins and American wherry’s from which I took the plank keel. With a few ideas of my my own, which are the real experiments hopefully they will be successful ideas. And that it will be built using traditional methods and materials.

It’s mostly working out O.K. so far. I’m in the process of fitting the garboard planks at the moment and as I had suspected it’s fairly straightforward but of course there are a few things need re-jigging. Mostly in the keel bevel (the angle between the keel and the first (garboard) plank) and planking run (how the side of the boat is divided into planks of visually equal widths). The wood I’m using is turning out to be all that research had suggested it would be. Stable, light, easily worked, flexible, resistant to splitting, it should also prove to be durable and when you apply linseed oil it looks good too. Everything you would want in a boatbuilding wood.

Why not contact Tiernan Roe, about having your dream boat built phone +353 (0)86 1586937 or email roeboats@ymail.com

Roeboats, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, t:+353 (0)28 38973 m: +353 (0)86 158 69 37 e:roeboats@ymail.com

Here’s a shot of cutting the keel bevel of the 16′ open sea-boat. I probably should have set the boat up on a better strongback but I had this one in the yard and it’s nearly perfect. I used the adze to rough out the bevel and then used a slick ( big wide chisel with a long handle besid adze head) and handplanes to smooth it off. Eagle eyed readers can see I’ve snookered myself into a problem at the transom. I’m hoping some creativity can get me out of it. I’ve yet to cut the transom bevel in this photo. I could have cut both of these bevels before setting the molds up by using the lofting plan, but I didn’t have full confidence in it . In hindsight I should have as it would have been a lot easier. The slope of the transom will continue down into the deadwood and the fixing holes will be covered by the external sternpost from which I hope to hang the rudder without having to make a metal pintle and gudgeon. How will I do that? All will be revealed, it’s an idea I’ve borrowed from James Wharram .

Why not contact Tiernan Roe, about having your dream boat built phone +353 (0)86 1586937 or email roeboats@ymail.com

Roeboats, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, t:+353 (0)28 38973 m: +353 (0)86 158 69 37 e:roeboats@ymail.com

You know for years and years, like many other boat builders, every so often I’ve misplaced a tool, spent ages looking for it only to find it in the first place I looked. If you’re tired or in a rush this can quickly turn from perplexing to Rumplestilskin type apoplexy.
Well I think I discovered the cause.

I walked up to visit my neighbour earlier for a Christmas drink. While strolling home full of the spirit of Christmas I noticed the lights on in my workshop. I thought I or my wife had left the lights on. But I could hear hammering! So peeking in the window I was able to snap the attached photo. I don’t know what it is but it was using my hammer. Being superstitious I decided on not disturbing this creature and I’m just hoping it put my hammer back on the shelf.

If you’d like to have your own elf built boat in time for next Christmas why not give Tiernan Roe a call +353 28 38973 He might know someone who can make it happen.

Roeboats, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, t:+353 (0)28 38973 m: +353 (0)86 158 69 37 e:roeboats@ymail.com

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Here’s a few photos of the transom, keel plank and stem nearly ready for the set up of the molds.

You can see a piece of the flitches of timber I’m using in the background. There was a very useful sweep to the trunk and it’s proving to be very stable stuff. I’m using it “green” and the transom has stayed completely flat so far.

This rather blurry photo shows the transom and centreboard case set up on the plank keel. The eagle eyed among you will notice that the transom is missing a stern post. I’ll be fitting one on the outside of the transom as I’m going to use lashings to hinge the rudder. I used tar to seal around the centreboard case, hopefully it won’t leak.

Here the oak stem is attached to the keel plank. I’ll spring the curve in the keel once it’s set up on the stocks.
There won’t be much happening over the next while in the mean time I wish all my readers a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year.

Why not contact Tiernan Roe, about having your dream boat built phone +353 (0)86 1586937 or email roeboats@ymail.com

Roeboats, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, t:+353 (0)28 38973 m: +353 (0)86 158 69 37 e:roeboats@ymail.com

Just a short update to let you all know that the Cape Henry 21′ I launched in the Summer is the June boat in the designers Dudley Dix’s 2015 Calender. He really liked the detailing of the interior. The rope drawer pulls worked out pretty good.

Progress on the next boat is coming along. I should have the back bone built and the molds set up by the end of the week. I’m still working out details like the centreboard casing as I’m going along. I suppose you could call it built by wrack of eye. or more correctly by scratch of head.
The wood I’ve chosen to build the boat seems to be working out pretty good. It’s actually a bit stiffer and stronger than I had anticipated and should make a fine light and strong boat.

If you’d like to have your own boat built either by wrack of eye or from plans why not give me, Tiernan Roe a call at +353 86 1586937 (mobile) or +353 28 38973.

Roeboats, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, t:+353 (0)28 38973 m: +353 (0)86 158 69 37 e:roeboats@ymail.com

Here’s where it all starts with every wooden boat. A pile of planks of rough timber that will be painstakingly selected, shaped and finally fitted together to make a beautiful functional boat. I’m not going to tell you what kind of wood I’m using as it’s not usually used for boat building in Ireland but is highly prized by boat builders and temple builders elsewhere.

You’re probably wondering what I’m going to build with this stuff. First up is a 16′ or so open cruising dinghy. Clinker planked for lightness and strength and rigged with initially a crab claw or polynesian lateen rig. I’ll keep that rig if it works out other wise I’m leaning towards a sprit or lug sail yawl.

I’ve been thinking about this boat for quite a while and I started with a half hull model from which I developed a full sized lofting. She’ll have a plank keel which gives plenty of space for fitting the centreboard case. I would have preferred a daggerboard but the high possibility of hitting submerged rocks where I sail meant it would’ve been impractical. The plank keel also means that the boat will stand upright when on a beach and should make moving the boat on rollers around a lot easier. When alone it can be a real pain trying to shift a normal boat around as you have to push and keep it upright.

Here I’m cutting the rebate on the stem before setting it up on the keel. And that’s all you’re getting to see today. This build is a bit of an experiment and should be a test bed for various ideas that I want to try out. So as with all experiments I hope it will be successful.

If you’d like to discuss having your own boat built give me, Tiernan Roe, a ring at +3532838973 or +353861586937 (mobile) or send an email.Alternatively you can contact Roeboats here.

Roeboats, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, t:+353 (0)28 38973 m: +353 (0)86 158 69 37 e:roeboats@ymail.com

I’ve just brought the Ninigret that I built 5 years ago in for some re-finishing of her varnish work. Mostly the rubrail, no surprise, and the corners of seat back-rests and other high wear areas. The rest of the paint is in pretty good condition. Even the green topcoat is showing no signs of chalkiness or any other indications that it’s suffering from exposure. Overall I’m very pleased with how the paint system is holding up.

Ninigret has proved remarkably easy to maintain. Apart from some one crashing into her at the dock, they left two small holes where their bow roller punched through the ply, she hasn’t needed much more than a good clean and periodic engine servicing. She does however have a good cover that keeps her dry and ventilated during the winter. She is stored outside at the owners home.

In fact I received a nice note from the owner after he say the latest Roeboats launch in which he said “I think that boat you completed in the summer is beautiful” and “After several summers of successful enjoyment of the Ninigret, I thought I would say what a beautiful design, and outstanding craftsmanship, it is too.” Like everyone it’s great to get positive feedback and i know from talking to him that he gets great enjoyment using the boat and receives many compliments from people who see the boat.

If you would like to have a beautiful boat built for you or would like to discuss having your current boat repaired or restored please don’t hesitate to contact Tiernan at +353 28 38973 or +353 86 1586937 or send an email to roeboats@ymail.com 

Roeboats, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, t:+353 (0)28 38973 m: +353 (0)86 158 69 37 e:roeboats@ymail.com

Well after much blood, sweat and tears, well mostly sweat. I thankfully managed not to cut myself that much and boatbuilders don’t cry we just moan. So after a lot of hard work An Treo (the direction, course in Gaeilge ) was ready for launch. The photo above is just after she was lifted onto here centreboard. I was thinking of jacking her up in the workshop but it was much safer to do it with the crane, and probably a lot easier.

Here she is in the water, I’m afraid I didn’t get any photos of the launch it was beyond even my usually multitasking dexterity to be able to hold the two ropes controlling the boat while being craned and be able to take photos at the same time.

You’ll have to excuse the bad set of some of the sails in these two photos I still had to adjust the lacing on the main and when stepping the mast the jib block ended up on the wrong side of the mast. I took these at the end of a series of very long days.

The interior worked out quite nicely and the client was very pleased with it. I especially like the rope handles for the drawers. I had previously done this o na piece of land bound furnture that resembled sea chests. The handles give excellent grip but are soft and don’t catch on clothing etc. This is especially important in a small boat. 

The cool box is secured under the galley and pulls out completely for cleaning. The sink is fed and drains from tanks so there are no through hulls in the boat. The depth transducer is bonded to the interior of the hull and should work OK all be it with reduced range. There’s also a porta potti under the starboard aft end of the v-berth. All of the lights are LED and are powered by the 40W solar panel on the hatch garage.

If you’d like you’re own Cape Henry 21′ or another boat please don hesitate to contact Tiernan Roe at Roeboats or +353 86 1586937

Roeboats, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, t:+353 (0)28 38973 m: +353 (0)86 158 69 37 e:roeboats@ymail.com

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The pictures speak for themselves really. The boat was ready to be moved onto the trailer so that I could start rigging up the boat. It was a fairly slow process as the trailer had to be re-adjusted to fit the boat. It was a bit tricky not to get myself squashed while moving the trailer rollers under the boat. Plenty of temporary shoring and always aim to not have a body part between boat and something hard.

This was my first time to get a really good look at the boat and I for once was pretty happy.

If you would like to discuss having your own Cape Henry 21′ built give Tiernan Roe a call at +353(0)86 1586937 or +353(0)28 38973.

Roeboats, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, t:+353 (0)28 38973 m: +353 (0)86 158 69 37 e:roeboats@ymail.com

Oh Yeah! it’s really coming together now. The painting is finished and I’m starting to install the systems for the last time. Above you can see the recess for the Depth Sounder and entry hole for the centreboard pennant.

She’s also starting to look good. The rubbing strakes will go on after she’s moved out of the workshop. The doorway is a bit tight.

Here’s a shot of the interior with the sink cooker combo in the foreground and the rope handles on the the drawers opposite. The rope gives a a really good grip but doesn’t stick out into the cabin and catch clothes etc.

And here is the floor boards half way through being made. I oiled them with innumerable coats of linseed oil to make them waterproof.

Check in for the next post and see the boat emerging form the workshop. It’ll be the first time to be able to see the boat as whole. You can subscribe to receive updates by choosing your preferred method in the top right panel.

In the mean time if you would like to discuss having your own Cape Henry 21′ built give Tiernan Roe a call at +353(0)86 1586937 or +353(0)28 38973.

Roeboats, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, t:+353 (0)28 38973 m: +353 (0)86 158 69 37 e:roeboats@ymail.com