1950s Classic 16’6” Wooden Sailing Boat – A Little Piece Of Rnli History.

This is an ex RLNI boarding boat. Three hundred were built in the 1950s by Brooke Marine at Lowestoft in Suffolk to Lloyds A1 specification.Due to her intended role her construction is best described as robust. There are possibly less than ten left in existence and this one was converted to sail over ten years ago.Little history is available about boarding boats but Willow, boarding boat No.237, was based at Falmouth Lifeboat Station at some stage in her working life. She is clinker built of pitch-pine planks on steamed oak frames. She retains most of her original timbers.
The mast and boom were made by Collars of Oxford. Willow is cutter rigged with a high peaked gaff main. The main has slab reefing, the staysail is hanked-on and the jib has roller furling. All the sails are in good condition. All lines can be lead aft enabling her to be sailed single handed but she is best sailed with a crew of two or more.
Equipped with Raymarine GPS, an automatic bilge pump, a manual bilge pump, adequate buoyancy bags, an anchor, mooring lines and fenders.The single axle un-braked trailer has new wheels, tyres and hub bearings. Auxiliary propulsion is a Mercury 4HP four-stroke outboard with separate fuel tank. Only for sale because of mobility issues with advancing age. Viewing welcome.