It is so sad to see once well founded boats left neglected and abandoned. But then again our boat builders need a steady stream of new orders to support the livelihood of themselves and their families. So maybe we should just accept that there will always be the boats of summer-day past, the boats of summer-day present, and the boats of summer-day future. Let us just remember the old and discarded as fondly as we can.
The stretch of tidal water called Bass Pool on the south side of Piel Island has been a focal point for WMYC sailors in 2019. Abandoned over looking the castle, as high up as can be carried by the tide, where the sand and seaweed give way to grass, lies a boat called ‘Inchree’.
Inchree’s view over Bass Pool and Piel Island beyond
Inchree has lost her bilge keels but still retains her big central block of pig iron. In her day, to keep the crew secure, stanchions once surrounded the boat, but only three now remain. The guardrail wire has long since corroded away.
She’s so slim! But that is how boats had to be in the 50s and 60s. They had to be able to sail to windward. The idea of relying on the superbly reliable power of a modern engine was never fully factored into the equation.
Nevertheless she was equipped with an engine well that would take a small 3hp to get her home in a flat calm. Her owner wouldn’t need to hang over the stern in a seaway to operate the outboard. As can be seen, the port winch has succumbed to the passing years and is missing, but hidden from view, her starboard twin is still there and can be turned by hand, albeit with difficulty..
‘Inchree’s cabin by modern standards is very compact. Perhaps in the days before the cheap high calorie modern diet we didn’t need so much room to move about. Still, a quick glance is evidence alone that the designer thought long and hard to ensure the most convenient internal arrangement.
As already said, she had been well thought out. She possessed every convenience that was required in her time.. All members of the family were sure to want to come along and join the adventure.
Look at this photograph. With a bit of imagination one can imagine the water surging asunder, and possibly feel ‘Inchree’s bow rising and falling on the passing peaks and troughs. And maybe see a young child, proud of his father at the helm, peering through the window feeling both safe and exhilarated by the sight of the foaming sea.
Her name can still be seen clearly inscribed upon her bow. A proud owner there once was!
Well, time to get back to the mother ship and set sail to the English seaside resort of Morecambe, which is the next port of call.
In the summer of 2018, three WMYC sailors go for a sail up to Whitehaven. Please sit back and enjoy the video slide show. Do click full screen if you can.
Fleetwood Tide Times are available here courtesy of Tide Times.
Alternatively, Tidal Predictions for Fleetwood (and about 6,000 other places) for the current day and the next consecutive 6 are provided free of charge by the UK Hydrographic Office. Whether you’re in the sea, on the sea or near the sea, Admiralty EasyTide will quickly provide you with valuable tidal information to help you make the most of your time.
If you’re thinking about heading out of the bay to destinations further afield, Waypoints in Morecambe Bay 2008 is a useful diagram showing key buoys, bearings and distances – definitely worth downloading and printing out. Thanks to Dave McKone for passing it on – he put it together some years ago before the wind farms had even been thought of.
