Where have all the wooden boats gone?

Days in Cowes on the Isle of Wight are great fun; sleek yachts, powerful launches and cruisers that resemble the gin palaces of the Mediterranean.

It is though a little more difficult at Cowes to find wooden boats. WOODEN BOATS??!! “Go wash your mouth out sir… we don’t see those around here!”

However in other parts of the country wooden boats are still greatly prized and greatly loved. The word “crafted” comes to my mind when one considers the skill and perseverance of students at the International Boat Building College at Lowestoft in Suffolk.

Men and women of all ages learn how to build wooden boats with care and precision.

When one is talking about boats made solely of wood precision is the watchword. I’ll allow you to judge these examples for yourself.

But you can’t just finish the job and then float them in the water without more attention, because if you do they wind up looking like this.

Boatyards around the Norfolk Broads employ staff who are dedicated to care for, preserve and repair wooden craft. At Hunter’s Yard at Ludham boats belonging to the Heritage Fleet are taken out of the water each Autumn, cleaned and stored so that work can be done on them.

Wooden boats don’t simply have antique value. Some of the larger vessels such as the wherries are still in service. No longer do they transport freight from inland staithes to the coast – now they transport tourists who wish to experience a leisurely sail through the unique landscape of the Norfolk Broads.

Just in case there are a few remaining doubters about the value of wooden boats – the critics who believe they should not be compared with the “sleek yachts” – ought to watch a Norfolk Punt under full sail. Are they fast? I reckon they can hold their own against most ribs and dories.

Beware the traditional punt heading your way. It is always best to head for cover in the reeds and keep out of their way – just remember they probably have right of way on the water.

All thought provoking stuff.