three-day course coracle making

location: nr Sudbury, Suffolk

We shall be making a coracle (for you to take home) based on traditional Welsh styles, with the Ironbridge and Wye and Usk style having most influence on Alistair's design. Suitable for one or two paddlers, it is very portable, and great fun.  It will fit in most cars, but it is strongly advisable to measure the interior of your car before starting to make your coracle. A small, keel-less boat, the coracle was specifically designed for operating in swiftly flowing streams.  Evidence of coracles dates back to the early Bronze Age, though the first clear description of the craft does not appear in texts until 1188.  Early coracles consisted of a basketwork frame covered in animal hide.  Hide covers were supplanted by a material known as flannel (a kind of felt), that in turn gave way (1794-1880) to the canvas or calico coverings that we see today.

techniques

Each coracle is made by lacing together a framework of sawn laths (strips of wood).  The laths are clenched (nails bent over) onto the gunwale of the craft that has been formed into a hoop around the seat.  A skin of calico is stretched over the completed frame and tacked into place.  Loose fabric in the corners is tucked into darts that are sewn closed.  The craft then receives three coats of bitumen paint, after which laths are fitted to the inner and ouer gunwales.  It is then ready to paddle. There will be an opportunity to launch your coracle and practice paddling it. Dont forget to bring a flotation jacket! It will take between two and three days to make your own coracle.  Paddling instruction will be given on the third afternoon. Book early as this is a very small class, and popular. Please let us know asap if you have to cancel as we usually have people on the waiting list.

tool list - to bring

Drill - a cordless or electric drill is preferable; 8mm drill bit; Small hammer; 4oz or 8 ozDolly (weight to hammer against); Carpentry saw or tenon saw (the Japanese pull saw from Axminster Tools works well); Pincers (for pulling out errant nails); Cross head screwdriver (or bit for your drill); Plane or Surform rasp; Stanley knife or scissors; Metal file; G clamps or similar to 3" capacity - at least 4 (spring clamps are not sufficient); Tape measure; Heavy duty staple gun with 10mm staples

Tutor Alistair Phillips, aside from coracles and woodturning, has worked on a diverse selection of projects, including living willow fencing in school grounds, design and construction of iron age round-houses, yurt building and rustic chair making.  He also makes didgeridoos (Australian wind instrument).

dates: see 'book online' below

more on coracles

the venue is a 70-acre organic farm near Sudbury in Suffolk