Grebe IV is based on the rowing version of Grebe, a dinghy designed by Iain Oughtred, with a length of 13’ 6” and a 4’ 6” beam. She was built in 1996 to a very high standard by a retired boat builder in Poole for his own use, but, never launched. Construction is clinker with 6 mm double-sided mahogany-faced marine ply for planking, using the West epoxy system and any additional fastenings are bronze. Fittings are stainless steel. The thwarts and transom are solid mahogany and the stem, hanging knees and stern post are laminated mahogany. The keel and bilge keels are edged with quarter-round brass strip for protection when grounding. Floorboards are pine, coated with gritted red Danboline paint.
She was professionally converted to electric propulsion using a Bosch 24-volt dc motor driving a 10-inch diameter, two-blade propeller through a propeller shaft via a 4:1 toothed belt reduction. The drive is supplied by 2 x 75Ah series-connected lead acid batteries enclosed in a battery box, via a Curtis electronic controller with voltmeter and ammeter included. The drive is controlled from a small box mounted on the port side giving forward/reverse and variable speed giving silent eco-friendly propulsion. The conversion required the addition of a rudder and tiller which were constructed in mahogany and aluminium. Typically, with 4 adults on board, fully charged batteries give a duration of 2-3 hours at a cruising speed of 3-4 knots with a maximum speed of around 6-knots.
The boat has been stored under cover for its whole life and comes with a mains-powered charger on a tailor-made galvanised trailer with winch and two pairs of 8-foot oars and rowlocks.
Vessel type: | Electric launch |
Designer: | David Oughtred |
Builder: | Custom built |
Model: | Grebe |
Constructed: | 1996 |
No. of engines: | 1 |
Fuel type: | Electric |
Length over all: | 13' 6" |
Beam: | 4' 6" |
Maximum draft: | 1' 6" |
Hull material: | Wood |
Hull colour: | Varnish |
Note: Indicated location is approximate general area only.