Silver Thread
Richard Watts and daughter Rose sailing Silver Thread
Origins: Silver Thread is a replica of a Cornish lug and mizzen used in the inshore fishing and as tender to larger vessels within harbors. The original boat, Summer Haze, was built in Padstow around 1908. Simon's children and grandchildren have spent the years taking this boat out and around the Nova Scotian coast near Middle Island.
Length: 16 ft. : Beam 4ft. 6-1/2 ins. Weight: 175-185 pounds plus centerboard Measured: Simon Watts 2003-4. Lofted and drawn by Bill Neilsen, 2009. Sail Area: 120 square feet. Materials: (orig. boat) Cornish narrow-leaf elm planking; white oak frames; copper fastened. Time to Build: 5-6 weeks with one or two full-time helpers. Materials: (new boat) Eastern white pine planking; locust frames; spruce oars and spars, iron centerboard. Sails tan-bark Oceanus by Michele Stevens, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Fastenings: copper roves and rivets; ring-shank nails; stainless steel deck screws. Cost of materials: $3500-$4000 plus suit of sails. Special features: Three rowing stations; Balance lug rig that can be brailed up around the two masts. Two rows of reef points in mainsail. |
Building the Silver ThreadDigital Download -- Complete Building Manual and Plans
The new boat in the Middle Island workshop
The Thread gliding through a foggy Nova Scotian day
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Sheet One. Very detailed sheets of plans take the guesswork out of building.