From Lisa Graves
I am trying to trace the history of our Norwegian built 15ft grp faering style gaff rigged day boat which was kept at Tollesbury until about two years ago. There are some photos below.
She was sold by Woodrolfe Brokerage, who remember the boat well but do not know who owned her.
I have managed to trace, and been in correspondence with, one of her former owners who kept her on the Deben and sold her to the gentleman who kept her at Tollesbury. I believe that he became poorly and therefore Tern was sold.
I would be very grateful if you might be able to help, or if anybody in your club might remember Tern as she is quite distinctive.
So far I have been able to establish from the son of the founder of Saga boats that she was originally built by Saga in Selje, Norway before 1982 as a rowing / fishing boat, and that at some later point she was converted to sail. She originally came with very long, spoon shaped oars which were with the boat when she was sold to the gentleman who kept her at Tollesbury, but are no longer with Tern. These were the original oars before she was converted to sail.
I am also trying to establish which boat yard might have converted as I have been told that there are two more at Heybridge Basin but I do not know if these are original or converted to sail.
If anyone knows anything further, please pass details through to Ron Laurie (membership@tollesburysc.com).
I am not sure if it is the same boat, but a very similar Norwegian rowing boat was owned by the late Martin Dunn, in the early 70’s, Martin was tragically killed in a car accident at a very young age, but had a great love of the sea and boats.
Mike Gager.
Very many thanks for your reply, embarrassingly I have only just spotted it and I apologise for the delayed reply.
I have managed to trace two former owners, but nobody prior to the year 2000, when she was purchased from Andy Seedhouse in Woodbridge. Was the Norwegian rowing boat that you mention was owned by Martin also kept at Tollesbury? Tern has had significant alterations since she was built, but we can still see the original thwart supports and bow and stern chamber fittings from when she was a rowing boat.
It would be lovely to think that it could be the same boat that was owned by Martin.
Thank you again,
kind regards
Lisa Graves
Lisa,
The Norwegian boat owned by the late Martin Dunn was indeed kept and sailed at Tollesbury, and although it looked very similar to your picture, I cannot vouch that they are one and the same. Good luck in your research Mike Gager. President.T.S.C.