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quality shell builders

The Lockie

By The Lockie
in General Boating

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The Pipe Rising Star

The Pipe

Posted
Posted

As the title says who do you think are at the top of the boatbuilding game.

 

I have my top ten. What's yours??

 

Where would a Les Allen shell come in the top ten??

One thing to check on a Les Allen shell is for weld cracking he had a reputation for not doing much if any weld prep.

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Hawthorn Contributor

Hawthorn

Posted
Posted

Ian Kemp

 

Richard

 

What is the point of this game?

 

Sunseeker

 

Cunard

Cunard? Didn't they build Titanic?

 

When we had ours built by Colecraft, Sam told us this story. When he started he had no more than a farmers field, so built the first boat for sale on this field. the buyer came to see progress and asked the question a great many novices will, 'how do you know it won't leak?' Sam said he knew, but would prove it. He told the guy to come back the following week. It took 5 days to get about a foot if water into the boat using a hose running several hours a day. When the guy returned he examined every seam and went away satisfied. Sam then drilled hole in the base plate to empty out again! Still don't know whether I believe the story. If anyone has had another boat builder tell the same tale I'll know for sure.

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bizzard Veteran II

bizzard

Posted
Posted (edited)

Certain shellfish make the most beautiful shells. Take Whelks for example, not to mention Cockles, Winkles and of course the garden Snail. I nearly forgot Mr Conchiglioni's shells are very tasty too. closedeyes.gif No rivets though I'm afraid.

Edited by bizzard
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Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Johnathon Wilson /Tim Tyler for me watched them building them the other day also look at Crick over last few years its their shells that win

 

Peter

Ref. the Crick show wins. That surely is more down to the fit out rather than the quality of the shell though. Lots of people who vote at Crick are relative novices to boating (we were) and wouldn't really know the difference in the shells of the builders, but will be more impressed by those very nice interiors.

 

I'm not saying their shells are not quality, they clearly are but I'm not sure winning at Crick is necessarily an endorsement of that.

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RLWP Veteran II

RLWP

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And so, here we are again. Personal preference, what can you afford, is the builder still trading, would they build a boat for you, favourite brand names...

 

They are all boats

 

Richard

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Richard T Experienced

Richard TDonate to Canal World

Posted
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Roger Farringdon has got to be on this list somewhere. Best swimming boat i've ever steered was built by him

If Les Allen is included what about John Horton who worked at the yard and then built some shells on his own? These are all very nice boats.

Tyto is a Colecraft and is pretty good.

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dccruiser Rising Star

dccruiserDonate to Canal World

Posted
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personally i loved my full length hancock and lane, probably not a classic to anyone else, but i loved it, never had one myself but i am surprised no one has mentioned springers or harborough marine hulls, not in the same league as Norton Canes etc. but without such shells that 30 plus years on are still very much about, a lot of people would not be able to enter the world of narrowboating and live the life we all enjoy so much.

 

Rick

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peterboat Veteran II

peterboatDonate to Canal World

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Ref. the Crick show wins. That surely is more down to the fit out rather than the quality of the shell though. Lots of people who vote at Crick are relative novices to boating (we were) and wouldn't really know the difference in the shells of the builders, but will be more impressed by those very nice interiors.

 

I'm not saying their shells are not quality, they clearly are but I'm not sure winning at Crick is necessarily an endorsement of that.

I agree Martin but the shell is always mentioned has a sign on it saying who built it so if its shiny straight and took first and second at Crick people remember. Also all of Johnies boys were working and non of the shells were for stock. How many other shell builders can say that today

 

Peter

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nicknorman Veteran II

nicknormanDonate to Canal World

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Some of the mentioned builders are very small scale though. Not much point in it being a fantastic shell if there is no realistic possibility of actually owning one.

 

Obviously the shell is the one thing you can't change, but are you not interested in the fitout? With Hudson boats, although many were fitted out by him, there are quite a few sailaways around, with owner fit outs. These of course vary from being excellent to being pretty rubbish. In other words, don't presume it is a Hudson fit out.

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David Schweizer Veteran II

David Schweizer

Posted
Posted

Some of the mentioned builders are very small scale though. Not much point in it being a fantastic shell if there is no realistic possibility of actually owning one.

 

Obviously the shell is the one thing you can't change, but are you not interested in the fitout? With Hudson boats, although many were fitted out by him, there are quite a few sailaways around, with owner fit outs. These of course vary from being excellent to being pretty rubbish. In other words, don't presume it is a Hudson fit out.

 

There is if you commission one.

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