Laurent Giles Workboat

Interesting assignment today at the International Boatbuilding College in Lowestoft.

Commissioned by The Falkland Island Company this Work Boat carred stores to the outlying islands and settlements and to carry produce, livestock and wool back to Stanley. Her original layout was two pipe cots forward, a large hold for carrying the cargo amidships and a largish engine room aft. She has spent her life in the Falklands and had numerous modifications at the hands of various owners wishing to adapt her for mainly commercial use. She changed hands in the 70's and work was started to return her to her former glory but never really progressed past keeping her afloat. When the present owner arrived in the Falklands in '98, she was moored in a marina and he watched in dismay as her dilapidation continued unabated until, in 2007, he returned home and arranged for the Wanderer to be transported back to the UK.

Another Classic awaiting restoration at the International Boat Building College.
The keel seems to have sunk inside the old hull !! Big job!

IBTC Trainees on their 1 year boat building apprentership.... studied here myself about 9 years ago.

The designer John ('Jack') Laurent Giles (1901-1969) was a famous yacht designer. He and his company designed more than 1000 boats from cruises, racing yachts to "megayachts". He is best known for his design of displacement sailing yachts like the famous 7.6 meter Vertue of which 230 boats made, or Wanderer III. His famous Myth of Malham a revolutionary small displacement, inspired by developments in aeronautics, The novel design helped win the fastnet race in 1947 and 1949. The updated Miranda IV of 1951 had a rudder separate from the of the keel which heralded the arrival of the modern period of yacht design. Laurent Giles described as part of his design philosophy that a yacht should have the utmost docility and sureness of manoeuvring at sea, in good or bad weather. His boats were designed to maintain a steady course with minimal action by the helmsman but respond instantly to the helm if the need arose. He was awarded the honour of Royal Designer for Industry in 1951.

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