27/05/2026
“Sea Urchin” is the working name for the new boat project just commenced at Armfield Slip.
We decided that we need to build from scratch, a ‘ribs and rivets” clinker planked boat. This will be the first such boat built at Armfield in many years.
As a “Working Museum” we are keen to demonstrate and promote “lost skills”. Construction of this craft will help us to fulfill that vision of traditional techniques including steam bending and riveting.
After some research into plans available for small clinker dinghies, we settled on “Sea Urchin”, a 3 metre clinker design by Jim Smith from Nova Scotia. We are making some construction modifications as the original design is all screws, bolts and nails, but we will be using glue in the keel and some other pieces, whilst retaining most traditional techniques.
The team has completed the building frame and is commencing work on the keel. The building frame has been redesigned to enable us to rotate the boat as we build.
If you are interested in seeing the traditional skills in use, or wish to learn some of them, please visit us at the Shed on Tuesdays or Fridays.
