Historic Canoes at Royal Canoe Club
by Alan Powell 12 Jun 2001 11:15 BST
The first event organised for restored Sailing Canoes was held at the Royal Canoe Club at Teddington over the weekend of 9/10th June. Highlight of the weekend was the launch of "Pampatha" (No.4),superbly resored by Jeff and Jill Stamps. Andrew Eastwood trailed "Rannoch" (No.37) down from Scotland to celebrate and Alan Powell brought "Conquest" (No 41) down from Oxford.
Pampatha had been wrecked almost beyond repair last year, when some youths had stolen her to make a getaway across the Thames. Fearing for their safety in a boat stored out of use for many years, the Police were called. Fortunately for the lads they made it across without sinking but they abandoned Pampatha and she was swept down the Teddington weir and severely damaged. The restoration was probably more work than building a replica, according to Jeff, but the results are a testament to his craftsmanship and enthusiasm. She is truly immaculate and would put most fine furniture or musical instruments to shame!
"Rannoch" was the last canoe built by Uffa Fox using the double diagonal planking method with a layer of thin canvas between the skins and fitted with steamed ribs and copper fastened throughout. She has now been fitted with a wooden mast complete with winches and Andrew has made a fine suit of narrow panelled sails.
Andrew also restored "Conquest", a Jack Holt designed and built chine canoe dating from 1952. The evolutionary links with the Hornet class are very apparent. He passed her on to Alan last year but this was the first time Alan had sailed her. Unfortunately the first sail coincided with a
rather blustery squall on a stretch of river where the wind can be turbulent. However Alan survived the baptism, as did "Conquest", and he returned determined to master the old skills of Canoe sailing with the aft end mainsheet and twin tillers.
Despite the limited opportunities to sail the weekend was considered a great success and it is hoped to run an event next year, perhaps on the Broads, and to locate and encourage other owners of historic canoes. It is hoped that "Brynhild", the twin seat Uffa Fox canoe might also be
brought out of storage.
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