Polythene Pam
Polythene Pam started life as a Ranger 16 canoe designed by Selway Fisher. She is pretty much the most basic design you can have, a flat bottom with single planks on the sides. And if you like that's that. Of course being inclined to deviant ways I had to deviate from the plans and add a few embellishments of my own.
I decided when I built her that a half deck would be in order and would improve the safety and comfort of the crew. Unfortunately a miss-calculation of the relative weights of my young daughter and myself meant the cockpit was way too far aft and she trimmed like a speed boat on the plane. Of course said daughter wandered off to more interesting things, and I was left wondering what to do with the as yet unnamed canoe.
After I sold Caitlin I found myself without a "proper" boat to take on HBBR expeditions, so the canoe was attacked with the jig saw and the cockpit enlarged. A dagger board was fitted along with a rudder and the sailing rig, the sails were fashioned from Poly Tarp and "Polythene Pam" was born. Pam took part in the first HBBR Thames Raid and after travelling around 70 miles in five days arrived to fanfares at Beale Park Show. Pete Greenfield, illustrious editor of Water Craft magazine had encouraged us to enter our boats in the Amateur Boat-Building Competition, enticing us with free entry and camping at the show, so it was with only a little irony that Pam became my first entry in the competition where I'd previously felt that Caitlin wasn't good enough! Needless to say we didn't win.
With the arrival of Katie Beardie on the scene, I found myself with (at least) one too many boats so I decided to move her on. Fellow HBBR member Paradox Pete felt he could give her a good home. I'm very glad to say that in the few months Pete has had her he has used her quite a few times on the rivers and canals near his home in Cheltenham. Its great to see her going on to give others enjoyment.
I decided when I built her that a half deck would be in order and would improve the safety and comfort of the crew. Unfortunately a miss-calculation of the relative weights of my young daughter and myself meant the cockpit was way too far aft and she trimmed like a speed boat on the plane. Of course said daughter wandered off to more interesting things, and I was left wondering what to do with the as yet unnamed canoe.
After I sold Caitlin I found myself without a "proper" boat to take on HBBR expeditions, so the canoe was attacked with the jig saw and the cockpit enlarged. A dagger board was fitted along with a rudder and the sailing rig, the sails were fashioned from Poly Tarp and "Polythene Pam" was born. Pam took part in the first HBBR Thames Raid and after travelling around 70 miles in five days arrived to fanfares at Beale Park Show. Pete Greenfield, illustrious editor of Water Craft magazine had encouraged us to enter our boats in the Amateur Boat-Building Competition, enticing us with free entry and camping at the show, so it was with only a little irony that Pam became my first entry in the competition where I'd previously felt that Caitlin wasn't good enough! Needless to say we didn't win.
With the arrival of Katie Beardie on the scene, I found myself with (at least) one too many boats so I decided to move her on. Fellow HBBR member Paradox Pete felt he could give her a good home. I'm very glad to say that in the few months Pete has had her he has used her quite a few times on the rivers and canals near his home in Cheltenham. Its great to see her going on to give others enjoyment.