John M. MacAulay - Fernhaven, - Flodabay, - Isle of Harris. - HS3 3HA.
Tel:01859 530340
Builder of the Hebridean`Birlinn` model
`COASTAL
AND ISLAND BOATS`
continued..........
The
phenomenal upsurge in marine leisure activity during this period has resulted
in large-scale production practices being applied to the fabrication of
sports and pleasure boats ranging from canoes and kayaks up to multi-hulled
ocean-racing machines. Modern technology has brought the one-time exclusive
pursuits of the elite yachting world within easy reach of many Consequently,
many long-established yacht-builders have been forced to give way to 'off
the shelf' market forces, or, as some have done, adapt to the new methods
....
There is currently a healthy resurgence of interest in traditional wooden
boat-building, but rather in the pursuit of leisure than for serious commercial
purposes. The work is confined mainly to individual boat-builders along
with an increasing number of,uig enthusiastic amateurs who are keen to
learn and retain the craft skills that had so rapidly declined. Indeed
there is real concern that those skills could still be lost completely
if positive action is not taken. The long-established apprenticeship system
which had ensured the continuity of highly-skilled shipwrights and boat-builders
is virtually gone, with only a handful of boatyards now remaining which
employ craft apprentices on a regular basis. Also at risk is the expertise
to sail and even row those boats, and the intimate knowledge of boats
and the sea the shipwrights depended on to be able to refine their designs
to meet specifc needs.
It
could be countered that modern boat-building offers training and expertise
in a wide range of skills, including naval architecture, but it is doubtful
if these could be recognised as true craft skills where the hand and eye
of the individual artisan is allowed free expression. Many of today's
most successful designs have been modelled on specific boats from....
Books
by John MacAulay:
Birlinn,
Longships of the Hebrides
(White
Horse Press)
Seal-folk
and Ocean Paddlers
( White
Horse Press)
click on icon to
view line
drawing of 19ft sailing boat
Glossary
of Terms used
in this article
