Simpsonboater

Member

Registered: 26 Jun 2020

Posts: 29

CLC Annapolis Wherry Tandem "Libelle" - first dip.

Launched yesterday in the exotic setting of the Grand Union Canal, under a 1970's concrete flyover in Milton Keynes, our CLC Annapolis Tandem Wherry "Libelle".

Thirteen months total build time (including 4 months hoisted into the garage loft over winter) and our first build, it uses the Angus Rowboats sliding seat system and riggers, halving the weight of the drop in units and substantially cheaper too. Concept 2 Big Blades oars with shoes, seats and rails from Swift Racing (local to us).

I'll be posting a build log in that section over the coming days.  Thanks to the team at Fyne for their support, though little was needed with the excellent instructions provided.

This was a "soft" launch as Libelle still needs a final couple of coats of varnish (Interlux Compass) inside and properly "naming" but we couldn't wait any longer!

Last edited by Simpsonboater (2 Sep 2020 8:32 pm)

Simpsonboater

Member

Registered: 26 Jun 2020

Posts: 29

Re: CLC Annapolis Wherry Tandem "Libelle" - first dip.

Took Libelle out for a trip along the quiet canal today with family to take advantage of the warm November day. Handles really well with passengers but is a handful if you try to row from the forward seat with nobody in the rear!

After a few outings we have a few dings and scratches from submerged branches and docking errors, hence the additional fenders.  The bow ring is from my parents place, last used 40+ years ago to tie up cattle.

We still haven't got the transom name added but we plan to get that properly sign-written in the future.

machone

Member

Registered: 26 Oct 2020

Posts: 3

Re: CLC Annapolis Wherry Tandem "Libelle" - first dip.

Beautiful! Congratulations. Cattle ring looks like it polished up well, too. Nice calm day for it.

Simpsonboater

Member

Registered: 26 Jun 2020

Posts: 29

Re: CLC Annapolis Wherry Tandem "Libelle" - first dip.

Thanks, we are very happy how it came together.

The ring was so black you couldn't tell what it was made from. I was very happy to find it was solid brass! We had to have it on the boat even if it is a bit oversized for the job.

As there have been so few boat movements you can see the bottom of the canal.

Simpsonboater

Member

Registered: 26 Jun 2020

Posts: 29

Re: CLC Annapolis Wherry Tandem "Libelle" - first dip.

First trip out since lockdown, fab reflections off the water on the hull!

rowboat

Member

Registered: 10 May 2020

Posts: 2

Re: CLC Annapolis Wherry Tandem "Libelle" - first dip.

What a great looking boat!

boxerscott

Member

Registered: 21 Feb 2021

Posts: 6

Re: CLC Annapolis Wherry Tandem "Libelle" - first dip.

lovely finish , well done.

Chris

Simpsonboater

Member

Registered: 26 Jun 2020

Posts: 29

Re: CLC Annapolis Wherry Tandem "Libelle" - first dip.

Just taken Libelle out on the Cam in central Cambridge for the morning.  As we don't have storage at a boathouse since our move it's a bit of task to get it to the river but we made it.

You might be getting a few enquiries Fyne Boats, it created some interest from passers by as we manoeuvred around Jesus Green Lock.