Bures Coracle Regatta
Our event is all about meeting up with like minded people and paddling around a bit. Everyone is welcome to join us from beginners to experts. We are all about getting people on the water and enjoying these historic craft.
Ribs are laths that go across the boat from side to side. Stringers are laths that go from front to rear of the boat
Find the centre point of a lath by balancing it on a finger. Lay this lath (rib) across the seat posts, with the centre point over the middle seat post. Do the same with three more laths (stringers), and lay these over the rib with the centre point over the three seat posts. Drill, countersink and screw these laths into the seat posts. It's important that these screws are countersunk - if they are left proud of the laths, you risk puncturing the covering
Bend the rib downwards at each end towards the seat, in a gentle curve. Temporarily affix with G clamps so you can check by eye that the curve on each side roughly mirrors one another. Nail to the gunwaleFlip the boat over so it sits on the workbench on its base. Lay two stringers between the seat posts, on top of the rib, as with the previous stringers. Nail a couple pieces of scrap laths over the stringers, either side of the seat, to the workbench - outer edges approximately 15in (40cm) away from the seat posts at the front of the boat, and 6in (15cm) from the seat posts at the rear of the boat. This will help you form a flatter base, avoiding a rounded base that would cause an unstable craft
Starting with the centre stringer, bend upwards at the front of the boat towards the gunwhale to form a gentle curve. Clamp in place. Repeat at the rear of the boat. Repeat with the four remaining stringers, using your centre stringer as a reference for the curveWeave a rib in front of the seat posts at the front of the boat, about 4in (10cm) from the first rib. You may need to unfasten/refasten your scrap lath braces. Bend these to the gunwhale, using your first rib as a reference. Clamp in place. Repeat with 2 more ribs at the front of the boat, and one in the rear of the boat
Weave one stringer on each side of the boat, outside your existing stringers. Bend these up the gunwale. These outside stringers may not lie beside their neighbours on the gunwale - mark the bottom of the gunwale, cut the excess and clamp it inside the adjacent lathWeave more ribs at either end of the boat - totalling 5 in the front, and 3 in the rear. These outer ribs don't need to stick to the 4in (10cm) spacing. You may need to adjust some laths to allow these to lie comfortably against one another
Fit short laths at the corners of the boat, to avoid large, unsupported areas of calico. These diagonals go outside the other laths when looking at the boat from underneath. Their ends on the inside sit on the inside of the laths on the base of the boatNail and clench, or staple, all laths in place. Cut off excess laths above the gunwale
With your frame built, you can paint your frame now if you wish. If doing so, you should also paint four extra laths with will form the inner and outer gunwales once the boat is covered
24 July 2024
If you've been following our news, you will know that a new project has started this year with the aim of preserving the craft of coracles and coraclemaking, rated as endangered on the Heritage Crafts Association's Red List, for future generations to enjoy.
24 July 2024
We're looking for volunteers to help with the Five Miles From Home challenge. This may be familiar to you if you read the item in the 2023 Journal from member Gary Fruland, who took part in this international event last summer.
24 July 2024
The Society is sad to share the news of the passing of former committee member, Brian Pearce, aged 92.
24 July 2024
Ironbridge style coracle for sale. Well used but in good condition and watertight. Originally built in 1996, has been re-covered many times. Can be put straight on to the water as is, but may benefit from some light repair/restoration. Offers in region of £200 considered, buyer collects from Cheshire
Please contact Euan Raffel for further information
Our event is all about meeting up with like minded people and paddling around a bit. Everyone is welcome to join us from beginners to experts. We are all about getting people on the water and enjoying these historic craft.
The Carmarthen River Festival is back on Saturday 17th August from 3pm. (Rescheduled from July due to river conditions)
There'll be the ever popular Raft Race, Coracle Races, Rowing Race, Duck Race and FREE Canoe, Kayak & Coracle Taster Sessions.
River demonstrations with plenty of dryside entertainment, cookery demos, FREE funfair rides, children's coracle pool, climbing wall and plenty of stalls selling food, refreshments and ice cream.
Annual coracle regatta and races, plus raft race. Licensed bar and BBQ. Part of Cilgerran Festive Week
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