This page is dedicated to Ashley Butler and his colleagues in celebration of the launch of Lucie B. This is a significant milestone in the re-emergence of the wooden boat-building skills honed by our ancestors on the slipways of Whitstable.
The Lucie B is the latest in a line of boats built by Butlers following the original hull lines of traditional working boats, in this case a Whitstable smack or yawl. The Whitstable smacks were known for their longevity, speed and manouverability – all features that should ensure that the Lucie B, built as a yacht version, should enjoy a long and successful life.
Lucie B was launched by crane at the Iron Wharf Boatyard on Faversham Creek – No need for slipways here. Oystertown filmed the launch on digital tape for posterity but also managed to take the still shots shown here.
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Good luck Lucie B. May God bless you and all who sail on you. |
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Ashley’s next job was the restoration of the yawl Favourite. More about this at the Favourite website.
Unfortunately (for us) Ashley was unable to find a long-term base in Whitstable to continue his work and relocated to the River Dart in Devon to continuing restoring old, and building new, traditional wooden boats.
Follow Ashley Butler: Butler & Co. Traditional Wood Boats.
