Butler and Co

The Launch of the Mayflower 50 - Martha Primrose

2011-11-01T15:27:00.000Z

The Martha Primrose, Ashley Butler and Georgie Hare’s latest 50ft design of Mayflower Class yacht, was launched at the end of August at Old Mill Boatyard, Dartmouth, Devon, UK. Named after their two daughters, a crowd of 150 friends and well wishers gathered in the evening light to see the ship building tradition of letting the boat run down the slip into the water with a single blow of the axe through the rope. She marks the second in the class and Ashley Butler is thrilled to announce commission of the third new build of Mayflower Class – a Mayflower 40, with Bermudian rig, classic yacht finish and bespoke interior to begin work this Christmas.

Below is a drawing for the internal layout for the New Mayflower 40 along with a sail plan. We are all very excited to get started with the build of 'Bonadventure'

PET

2011-11-01T14:02:00.001Z

Pet is a Pilchard Driver built in 1903 in Porthleven for Richard Henry Thomas, who was born in 1863, Pet’s first registration number was PZ211.

Pilchard Driver’s were always known as fine, seaworthy vessels, and it is be a privilege for us to have the opportunity to restore one of these fantastic craft back to her original working condition. Pet was being used as an engineless private yacht and whilst cruising in the Channel Islands in 2010 she dragged anchor and was wrecked just off the entrance of St. Peters Port. The wreck was later sold for £1 to a boatman at St. Michael Mont who had the wreck brought back to Cornwall and ultimately to our yard for restoration.

We have been very lucky with our research of 'Pet'. One of our clients who bought Ash's first new build 'Sally B' David Sycamore has been a huge help. He came and visited us recently and we were telling him the story of 'Pet's' unfortunate accident in the Channel Islands. David said that the he had heard the tale from the contractor who was working on his house. It turned out that the gentleman’s family bought Pet in 1918 and she was passed down the family through many generations until she was eventually sold in 1963. The gentleman’s uncle was a shipwright who had served his time at Percy Mitchel's yard in Portmelon. During a period of sickness when he could not work he made a full scale model of Pet. The model is a faithful copy showing how she was at the time, with the cuddy, fish holds, two masts but mizzen sail only. The model, being made by a shipwright, was done as per the construction of Pet herself with full frame and planking throughout. So our big thanks goes to David and his very helpful contact. One of our shipwrights has been to see the gentleman and he has very kindly let us borrow some old photos and the model, of which you can see below. We would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his time and the lending of this very valuable resource. He will be most welcome to visit Pet at any time.

Charmain - Brixham Sailing Trawler from 1933 with the graceful lines of a Classic

2011-11-01T10:59:00.000Z

With hardly time to blink and the next projects are underway by Butler & Co. Into the dry dock is the elegant and much admired charm of Charmian, the 1933 yacht built by the same builders as Pilgrim. Her present owner and Butler & Co have been working together on a complex operation for two years to extract the vessel from a submarine basin in Bordeaux, France.

Charmian was built in Brixham by J. W. & A. Upham and was launched on a Thursday in March 1933. She was built to order for Mr. Wilfred E. Nicholson, of Torquay. She is a very graceful representation of the ‘mule’ type Brixham Sailing Trawler. The ‘mule’ class of trawler were all based on the same lines as there larger cousins but were all around the 40 registered tonnage range. The main difference to Charmian compared to the commercially run fishing trawlers is in the use of materials for her build. Charmian was built with Navel Brass fastenings with her hull planking below the waterline being Oak and Larch above.

Charmian is an example of a durable vessel able to withstand the might of blue water sailing. The Brixham Sailing Trawlers were the result of hundreds of years of evolution in vessel design making them strong, stable platforms while maintaining sail manoeuvrability and speed.

The completion of the HLF funded Project Pilgrim

2011-11-01T09:36:00.000Z

Old Mill Boatyard was dressed overall for the Mayflower 50 Launch, with Butler & Co team proudly taking a breather and admiring the culmination of two years work through the seasons. Lying adjacent to the Mayflower and also prepared for her launch on the following tide was the mighty 75ft Pilgrim, in the drydock. At 100 tonns, this oldest of Brixham Trawlers has been restored and the scale of her structure and form is awesome. Using over one hundred English oak and larch trees, her hull, deck planking, fittings and engine instalment have been completed by Butler & Co. Funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and the SDCLAG Pilgrim is preparing to return to her home port of Brixham and is awaiting the final stage of her restoration.

Rosemary III - 1924 William Fife

2011-10-31T16:53:00.000Z

While we had the warm weather through the summer we progressed well on the work on Rosemary. Our guys were busy splining and fairing off endeavouring to bring the work on the topsides to a conclusion.

The Haven 12.5 - A ‘proper little yacht’.

2011-10-25T18:28:00.001+01:00

Capt. Nat Herrishoff the Grandfather of American yacht design created this small but exquisite sailing boat, one of his most successful small boat designs. Since 1914, hundreds have been built. A yacht for those who appreciate the joy of sailing in a hand crafted vessel in style and comfort.
The yachts were intended as jolly boats aboard luxury steam yachts of the day. Equally they were used as pleasure craft to be launched from club houses, riverside properties and from trailers along river banks and creeks.
The later version by Joel White has a reduced draft with centre board facilitating the exploration of shallow waters in rivers and estuaries.
The yacht sails well with a steady motion attributed to its lead keel, easily handled with self tacking fore sail and exciting in a stiff breeze. The large deep cockpit with comfortable seats offers room for picnic hampers and family outings.
The sweet lines of her pretty hull allow the boat to be rowed with easy strokes and steady directional trim.

L.o.a. 16’ (4.88m) Width 6’ (1.83m) Draught 1’6” - 3‘6“ (.45 - 1.06m)
Weight 600 kilo
Construction: Oak frames, cedar planking with epoxy embedded mahogany double diagonal skin, 1/4 ton lead keel, mahogany bright works, all bronze fastenings, pine spars.
Sails by North Sails.
Contact

Tel: +44 (0) 1803 835 165info@butlers-wooden-boats.co.uk

Pilgrim - Tree to Trawler

2011-06-29T13:09:00.000+01:00

The excitment grows as Phase 2b comes towards a climax and Pilgrim prepares to go afloat for the first time in over two years. It will be the first time Pilgrim will be afloat under her own hull without assistance in nine years.

News From Old Mill

2011-05-26T14:55:00.000+01:00

The tranquillity of Old Mill Creek is blissful with its steep wooded banks and 18^th Century folly. This spring, however, the dawn chorus of birds is interrupted at 8am as across the valley comes the vibrant sound of wooden boat building in full swing. Pilgrim, the mighty 1895 Brixham Trawler in restoration, and is due to be launched later this summer is currently having her beautiful Douglas fir deck laid. The Mayflower 50 is also being prepared for a late summer launch. What with the enigmatic rings of the caulking mallets, sweet scent of timber and sawdust it is hard not to share the spirit of spring in one and all’s step at the yard.

It appears there is a wind of change too, with an unusual situation of interest to anyone with an eye for a pretty boat or two. Well, as it happens there are five beautiful gaffers from around 100 years ago for sale at Old Mill Boatyard or laying on the waters of the creek . They are as follows:

Waif. 1929 transom sterned Hilliard 28’ x 8’ x 4’9” £28,000.

She has been owned for the past 16 years by one of Butler & Co’s four head shipwrights. Thoroughly re built in 2002, Waif has been a much loved home and trusty companion for Tom and Natalia, sailing them round the Mediterranean, visiting France, Spain, Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearics. With a growing family, they now require a larger vessel to continue their sailing adventures and make their home.

Idler II. 1924 built by Anderson, Rigdon and Perkins 26’ x 7’7” x 4’ £500.

Originally named Pearl and built for Mr Pearce of London, we recently acquired her as she is a pretty and solid little ship, who will without a doubt look after her crew! She was originally built for £250, 86 years ago, I would like to restore her for a caring owner.

Riva 1898. Charles Sibbick 40’ x 8’6” x 5’9” £53,000.

Riva has been lovingly cared for by her current owner for the past 15 years including a major rebuild at Coombes boatyard in 1997. She is a very authentic and a fantastic sailing experience. Her current owner has found it hard to make the decision to sell but the desire for another boat has won through.

AR Dorsen 1915 built by R.S. Bart of Falmouth 36’ x 10’6” x 5’3” £1000

AR Dorsen was built for the Falmouth district Pilot Association and although of a sailing hull form she was fitted with an auxiliary engine from new. She remained in their ownership until the 60’s when she was sold off and turned into a motor sailor. We recently came into the ownership of the AR Dorsen fearing her life maybe coming to an end. It would be wonderful to restore her to a Falmouth Quay Punt configuration; fully rigged you could have every confidence in her sea worthiness.

Acushla 1898 Unknown builder 33’ x 7’ x 5’6” £14,950

Acushla has been owned by her current owner for some 39 years. She had a major rebuild in 1996 by Trouts of Topsham. Acushla’s owner has found it difficult to come to terms with selling his vessel but ill health has made it hard for him to take care of her. It is very important to him to find her a good home.

These vessels awaiting their next fortuitous fates and loving new owners. For more information on these vessels please do no hesitate in contacting the yard. 01803 835165. Or to view progress on our other projects go to www. Butlerandco.blogspot.com. Here you can see the Mayflower 50 being built, the Mayflower 35 sailing, the 1895 Brixham Sailing Trawler and the Fife Rosemary III being restored. Butler and Co and the GL Watson design office are also keen to find a client to build the 1875 Vril. She was design NO. 005, a radical and legendary vessel of her day. We have enough information to build an exact replica and recreate the experience GL Watson himself would have had 136 years ago at the start of his career. He went on to design other legendary yachts like the Kaiser Wilhelm II’s cutter Thistle and his cousin Edward VII’s yacht Britannia. I believe our yachting heritage is not complete without the 5 ton Vril.

Please contact us, make a visit or view our website www.butlers-wooden-boats.co.uk

Editorials in Yachting World & Classic Boat Magazines

2011-05-19T11:15:00.001+01:00

Check out the fantastic articles in both Yachting World and Class Boat.

The articles have been written by Nic Compton, of whom we thank.

David Glenn (editor of YW) has also written a fantastic column about us.

If you would like to know any more information about us and the Mayflower Class, please do not hesitate to get in contact. Also look out for us on a new documentary on Sky Atlantic which is due to start airing on the 8th July.

Latest News From Old Mill

2011-04-15T15:35:00.000+01:00

There are plans to collaborate with Ken Freivokh to design a Mayflower 80. She is to be all timber construction and will contain all the superior talents of a Freivokh design. This will be combined with the high quality handcrafted finish akin to the Mayflower Class and the Arts & Crafts movement. Butler & Co are seeking an investor/client to build the vessel.

Our blog http://butlerandco.blogspot.com has up to date news and pictures of the exciting projects developing at Butler & Co’s, Dartmouth yard. This includes slid shows on the restoration of the 100ton Brixham Sailing Trawler, Pilgrim (1895 re-launch 2^nd August 2011), design development and build pictures of the Mayflower 50 due to be launched in July, and on-going reports on the restoration of the fife Rosemary III which we are currently restoring for the fife family.

Butler & Co are also teaming up with Dr William Collier of G.L. Watson & Co. and we are pleased to announce that the 5 Tonner VRIL is now available for re-building. This is part of a new movement to re-build yachts from the renowned Watson archive which has recently undergone a significant conservation program.

First launched in 1876, VRIL was a highly successful and innovative addition to the competitive 5 ton class which helped propel G.L. Watson to prominence early on in his career. She is a direct link between our working maritime heritage and the thriving industry of yacht racing and we believe our yachting heritage is not complete without her.

VRIL is a rare opportunity to re-create the precursor of all modern racing yachts and we have been working closely with G.L. Watson & Co. to hopefully have this yacht sailing next spring.

The Mayflower 50 Update

2011-04-15T15:31:00.000+01:00

The Mayflower Class is the fulfilment of a dream for Ashley Butler and is the culmination of twenty years worth of boat building, designing and sailing experience. We have designed a fleet of beautifully hand-crafted yachts to incorporate an ergonomic high performance design, beautiful to behold with sleek sheer line and elegant counter stern; practical and comfortable to sail. Constructed of the finest timber and shaped by our skilled craftsmen. Each bespoke vessel is inspired by the classic lines of the Golden Age of Yachting and philosophies of the Arts and Crafts Movement along with British maritime heritage.

We are not aiming for the mass market. The Mayflower Class would be unjustly described as a product. Butler & Co strive towards creating an artistic masterpiece. The Mayflower Class is not just a yacht lost in the crowd of a marina but instead is a standalone example of majestic grace. While we feel we have achieved a head turning design, we have not lost sight of the core understanding that a yacht needs to be functional. We have spent a number of years perfecting the ergonomics of the rig and its harmony with the hull enabling the yacht to be sailed as if by a professional seaman; without needing a wealth of knowledge and experience. The design has evolved to allow the whole family and friends to feel part of the adventure, and to handle sail in a safe controlled manner while you can be at one with your vessel and its surroundings.

Due to the Mayflower Class being created by eye and not simply built from plans; Georgie and Ashley seek to establish recognition that the Mayflower Class is actually a work of Art and as such is not eligible for VAT. We are seeking approval from HMRC.

As we believe it is critical to have you involved from the conceptual stage so we can better act on your dreams and aspirations to help mould the unique quality of character. We are all individuals living in a society of sameness; we aim to break the boundaries between supplier and client. Instead you paint the picture and we create it. Historically our clients have become family friends.

We feel strongly about creating an ongoing relationship between client and craftsman. We produce progress reports monthly throughout the build. As the build process is as exciting as taking the helm for the first time. We also wish this relationship to continue on after you are sailing, as we offer yacht management to whatever scale you require.

Rosemary III - Fife

2011-04-15T15:13:00.000+01:00

Pilgrim

2011-04-15T14:04:00.000+01:00

The Team

2011-02-28T14:33:00.000Z

The Beginning of Phase 2b

2011-02-28T13:59:00.001Z

Second World War Bullets discovered in the Deck Beam Timbers

The Middle section of the Beam Shelf arrives

The Fitting of the final section of the Beam Shelf

Pilgrim Engines - The installation begins

2011-02-28T13:42:00.000Z

Completion of Phase 2a and the Shutter Plank

2011-02-28T13:35:00.002Z

The Mayflower Class - How about a 50' Mayflower with a Bermudan Rig

2010-12-14T08:26:00.000Z

All I can say is WOW!

The Mayflower Class - Renderings Update

2010-12-14T08:23:00.000Z

The Lily Class out in force!

2010-11-26T09:23:00.001Z

A few weeks ago before the weather turned cold we had a fantastic day sailing when we were able to get together a few of the Lily Class for a sail.

The planking on Pilgrim will be complete by the end of the week!

2010-11-23T09:59:00.001Z

The Mayflower 50's Deck frame in build

2010-11-05T14:59:00.000Z

The End of Planking Pilgrim is insight!

2010-11-05T14:02:00.000Z

The Mayflower Class - Profiles

2010-11-02T15:21:00.000Z

The Deck House and Cockpit for the Mayflower 50

Pilgrim Planking is Over Half Way!!

2010-10-22T16:05:00.000+01:00

The planking is half way and her restored shape is that of grace and raw power. The Brixham Sailing Trawler is a wonder to behold.

Visit from Nic Compton

2010-10-22T13:08:00.003+01:00

Last Week we had a visit from Nic Compton who came to have a sail on Lyra. He took some magnifcent pictures. Shown Here!

The Drawing Board

2010-10-08T09:02:00.002+01:00

The Mayflower 50 internal layout - evolving style inspired by the ethos classic lines of the Golden Age of Yachting and philosophies of the Arts and Crafts Movement.

2010-09-30T16:40:00.000+01:00

The Planking Continues

2010-09-30T16:10:00.001+01:00

Jon hard at work preparing the Bilge Planks..

Social Networks

2010-09-29T11:48:00.001+01:00

You can now find us on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter. Bring on the modern age!

Pilgrim's Rudder up and in place

2010-09-27T09:09:00.000+01:00

Last thing on friday the rudder was hoisted up into place.

Pilgrim's Rudder taking shape

2010-09-24T15:16:00.000+01:00

By the end of today Pilgrim's rudder is due to be lifted into place.

Steaming Frames

2010-09-24T14:53:00.000+01:00

The Mayflower 50' has taken a major step forward this week with the help of Georgie, Tom and Bob as the steamed frames have been going in by the drove.

The Sun is Shining in Old Mill Creek

2010-09-17T15:52:00.000+01:00

The New Mayflower - 50'

2010-09-17T15:36:00.001+01:00

The new Mayflower is taking shape!

The Mayflower Class - LYRA

2010-09-17T11:11:00.001+01:00

The Mayflower Class is the vision of a dream for Ashley Butler. A fleet of beautifully hand crafted yachts, built of the finest timber and shaped by authentic skills to create the most gob smacking traditional, classic new wooden vessels afloat. A dream to recreate wonderful artisan building, productivity and sailing of yacht building a hundred years ago. A perfect balance of form and function, earth and water, art and science - to sail a new wooden yacht for the first time is an experience not to be missed.

Pilgrim

2010-09-17T11:04:00.000+01:00

This is the largest and oldest of Butler & Co’s restorations to date.At 114 years of age, this 75ft Sailing Trawler built in Brixham of English Oak is the oldest in existence.Her mighty grandeur and history embedded in her timbers is the driving force behind the Pilgrim Preservation Project’s vision and determination to see her gracing the waters once again - not gathering fish from the sea, but taking children on educational voyages.Sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund Pilgrim will require over 100 trees, 3,500 cubic feet of timber required, the full structural restoration of hull and decks is to take approximately two years and is now fully underway at Old Mill Boatyard. Visit Pilgrim’s website, www.pilgrimofbrixham.co.uk.

Fife Restoration

2010-09-17T10:25:00.001+01:00

Rosemary

Designed and built by William Fife on the Clyde in 1925, Rosemary is 38ft 6inch and constructed out of mahogany on oak frames with oak stem and stern post.Her present owner is grand daughter of William Fife and her admiration and thrill to own and restore such a timeless classic is inspirational.Butler & Co are embarking upon the next stage of her restoration this winter.

The Lily Class In Patagonia

2010-09-16T17:05:00.001+01:00

The Lily Class are Butler & Co’s hand crafted, lug rigged clinker built sailing dinghies.They are of a standard 10ft 6inches in length but can be tailored to suite individual preferences.Whether they are used as yacht tenders for rowing or sailing adventures they are very special to look at and a joy to sail – fast, well balanced and well behaved.

The Lily Class

2010-09-16T17:01:00.001+01:00

Zephyr

Tender to Lyra

Maybug Tender to Chloe May

Merrybaby Tender to Merrymaid

Teal

Peggy and Sandpiper

Peggy

Butler & Co's Lily Class can be since the world over!

Pilgrim Restoration

2010-09-16T12:01:00.001+01:00

Planking is underway!!