Skiff Build Update – Hull Turned and Summer Launch in Sight

Since starting the build in late October, progress on our St Ayles Skiff has been steady and impressive. Through autumn and winter, the team has been working hard and we’ve now passed one of the biggest milestones in the project.

For anyone new to coastal rowing, a St Ayles Skiff is a 22-foot, four-oared coastal rowing boat, rowed by four crew with a coxswain. Built from plywood and larch, the hull is assembled upside down on a jig before being turned upright for the internal fit-out. Designed specifically for community building and racing, they now form a large and active fleet around Scotland — including a growing number on the Clyde.

Our build team, led by Ali Marshall, has put in a huge amount of time and effort over the past few months. Peter McWhinnie, Jim Maclean, Duncan Chalmers, Chris Bowen, Jim Hoey, Neil Stewart and Jim Lee have all played key roles, coordinated (and occasionally kept in order!) by project manager Marion Bowen. Their work has taken us from flat-packed plywood panels to a fully formed hull.

On Saturday 21st February we reached the much-anticipated “turning of the hull”. Before the lift, Commodore Kirsty Brown thanked everyone who has supported the project — sponsors, donors and volunteers — without whom we simply would not have reached this stage.

Our main sponsors deserve particular recognition:

• Swordfish Marine – for generously providing the build space

• Shearwater Marine – for supplying much of the hardware for the fit-out

• Marine Blast – for donating paint and consumables

• Western Ferries and Alpkit – for significant financial support through their community sponsorship schemes

We are also extremely grateful to the many club members and friends who have made personal donations towards the cost of the project.

After the speeches, the hull was carefully lifted clear of the frames and turned upright — a great moment for everyone involved and the first proper look at her right way up.

Celebrations continued at the recently reopened Oakbank Community Inn. The Oakbank were very welcoming and kindly allowed us to use the venue while our clubhouse renovation continues. More than sixty members and supporters attended. We watched a short film on the history of the St Ayles Skiff movement, followed by a slideshow showing our build journey — from a kit arriving in a cardboard box through to a hull ready for internal fit-out and finishing. The evening was rounded off with an excellent fish supper from Anselmos.

Attention now turns to internal fittings, painting and finishing work. We are aiming for a summer launch and plan to mark the occasion with an even bigger celebration.

When she does take to the water, our skiff will join the ever-expanding Clyde fleet — and we believe she will be the 14th St Ayles Skiff rowing on the Clyde.

If you would like to be involved in rowing, coxing or supporting the coastal rowing section once we launch, please get in touch via info@holylochsailingclub.org.

More updates to follow as we move towards launch day.

Full house at the Oakbank