As Steve was restoring ‘Cachalot’, he was already thinking about a tender, so why not build one with similarly elegant lines?

Research indicated that an Ian Oughtred design, clinker built with gunter rig should serve our purposes and Steve bought the plans for a ‘Guillemot’. Main question: Where could he build her? Answer: At the top of the garden, above the houses and amongst the wooded hillsides of Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, of course! The project began in 2008 by clearing a space above the shed to make a flat base.

The instruction manual for the Iain Oughtred, ‘Guillemot’, design no. 54 states she is
“A strong, stable and very capable boat along the lines of a 19th century ship’s boat or large yacht tender. She floats on her designed waterline with three adults aboard and can take a great load of gear as well; she’ll carry five people for a moderate distance in suitable conditions. Two plus two children might be a comfortable maximum for pottering about. The Guillemot has been designed for owners who need a more burdensome hull with flatter floors, firmer bilges and higher freeboard. She will not be as light and fast, but is a lot more steady in the water and less ‘flighty’ than the Acorn Skiff. She is finely modelled and performs very well indeed for a boat of this type, whether rowed or under sail. She can happily take a light outboard as well. Two optional sailing rigs are show: the basic standing lug is the simplest to set up and handle. The gunter sloop gives a more interesting sailing performance; it is set up with traditional simplicity, and the short spars are easily stowed out of the way. There are no battens to complicate the handling of the mainsail.”

Hidden away amongst the trees, ‘Cachalette’ began to take shape, above the workshop where Steve was also making a new rudder for ‘Cachalot’ amongst other projects. By winter 2009 there was varnishing to do, which was brought into the kitchen as it was too cold outside. Launch was planned for 2010 and a suit of sloop sails was ordered from James Lawrence. The neighbours were quite surprised when a fully rigged boat appeared high up above the houses . . . once finished, it was time to think about how to get her out of the garden!