Length: 4.27m, Beam: 1.96m, Draft: 0.03m
Propulsion:
Engine:
Construction:
Owner: Wooden Boat Association
Begonia is a gaff rigged 15’ sailing dinghy able to carry two or three people. She started life as a unique project, organised by the Wooden Boat Association, to construct a traditional wooden boat.
Starting in 1991, using donated Kauri and Huon Pine, the boat was lofted, moulds made, set-up and planked, all by volunteers, under Tom's guidance. We were very fortunate to have the use of a shed alongside Polly Woodside. No better site could be hoped for to undertake such a project.
This was a unique opportunity to learn, in detail, from a master of the craft in a hands-on manner, the skills and problems of traditional construction, and was very enthusiastically received.
The original sails were hand sewn by Rick Mitchell, with assistance from Clare Atkins. Originally rigged with a Spritsail main, with two jibs on the bowsprit, she was eventually changed over to a Gaff rig.