Godwin Dinghies
Proud dinghy owners
Robin Harris
​I first built the flarebow model, then the crackerjack and then a 12ft long sewlong dinghy. The finishing touches such as the belting, rowlocks and seating arrangements really add up to a fine little boat. It's important to get the sheer-line eye sweet with bits of string crossing at different stations to acheive the desired curves. This is crucial before any components are glued or fibreglassed in situ. Number four was a double-ender that measured about 8 feet overall. I installed a stern wheel which proved a real blessing. Number 5 was also a 6' 6" flarebow. She has a stern extension piece which makes her 8' overall. I've found the concept, shape and construction methods to be superior in every way to the more traditional methods of dinghy building, and it takes no longer to build.
Robin Harris yells " I love it" as he roars past on his maiden voyage in Seagull
1. Michael and Judy Churchouse in Alaska on their round the world sailing trip
2. After Shantung was stolen, a new dinghy was built (somewhat shortened)
3. Max and Gloria Boag's Anhinga in port with dinghy stowed aboard - this buttercup dinghy,
made it around the world
Judy and Michael Churchouse
Shantung’s dinghy , designed by Julian Godwin was 10 feet long and flare bowed with no middle thwart, giving ample room for the stowage of supplies. With its eight foot oars, it rowed easily from either rowing station. It was not unusual for companion yachts to pull their inflatable tenders alongside and request a ride ashore, especially if we were anchored where there was some surf so they would not get wet. Waterproof lockers and an inflatable collar, allowed me to stand on the gunnel without taking on water. I lowered and raised it from Shantung’s deck easily with Judys help, using the main halyard and kept it behind the mast, upright on chocks.
This much admired tender was stolen in Turkey and when I reached Cyprus with the help of my two sons and using mostly hand tools, built another stitch and tape plywood dinghy using Julian’s plans (which I fortuitously carried). The marina at Larnica offered me use of a piece of land beside the bar, where working all the daylight hours available, we finished it in ten days. We had created much interest from the patrons of the bar and got two serious requests to build two more which we reluctantly declined.