New build of W.Mersea Gun/Duck Punt

[ericw]

I've just started construction of a fairly basic (by most of your standards smile.gif ) gun punt and thought it may interest at least some of you guys across the Pond !

It is based on an old design which was originally used by local wildfowlers to sneak up to prey in the marshes where I live on the East coast of England. Some are still used by locals to this effect today, but they are mostly used for social racing/pottering around the creeks of West Mersea.

I've included the first stages of the build, which is taking place at a well respected local boatbuilder's boathouse. This being my first attempt at something which floats, I must admit to being ably assisted by several of the current punt owners, as well as the master boatbuilder himself !

Here's the story of 'Petit PT' so far:

- in concept form atop the roofrack !

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid150/pbec8d8cccc771d71eddb160284c150c0/f5eb54cb.jpg

- initial set up on the ancient jig viewed from the bow

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid149/pbfb9cbc3e258bf077363ef0e3373eaa7/f5fa6af7.jpg

- chines and hardwood insert at stem before addition of inner stem

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid149/pcc1b7c6e736206fc4e34c2c07f32938d/f5fa6b13.jpg

- chines and hardwood insert pre-fixing of inner transom

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid149/p64a3f6d6b2dc37bd4ce9d0addf5a7200/f5fa6b04.jpg

- port side templates fixed prior to cutting panels

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid149/p1480e5b40473085615dfd1ea6c9a80c5/f5fa6afe.jpg

- port side panels cut and clamped pre-scarfing (master builder and an assistant in picture)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid149/p7ec91f938f47925b4555786c626fe867/f5fa6b10.jpg

It has moved on a bit from here already, but as yet still haven't downloaded pics from camera .. updates to follow.

Hope this isn't too simple to be posting on this forum !

Best regards,

Eric.

[Thad]

A good looking skiff. I wait to see the finish and then see her in the marsh.

[john anson]

Looks good Eric will you be making the Gun to go with it? These boats where used in the bays of Long Island NY by commercial hunters thro out the 19 century. I once restored a punt gun a muzzle loader;barrel made in Birmingham UK. Loaded with shot they were quite capable of taking 15 to 25 Duck in one shot i,m sure they were Rowed over here not sailed.

[John Meachen]

I recevied the new Water Craft yesterday and there is a picture of Rev. Neville Khambatta reclining in the cockpit of his punt. There are also a few shots of his other punts which are the racing variety. I used to know a man who built a punt to fit his punt gun. If memory serves, the gun fired a charge of a pound and a quarter. There is no possibility of pursuing this type of shooting around here these days. How about Essex?

[ericw]

Originally posted by john anson:
Looks good Eric will you be making the Gun to go with it? These boats where used in the bays of Long Island NY by commercial hunters thro out the 19 century. I once restored a punt gun a muzzle loader;barrel made in Birmingham UK. Loaded with shot they were quite capable of taking 15 to 25 Duck in one shot i,m sure they were Rowed over here not sailed.Hi John - no won't be making the gun to go with it, but what i'' try and do over Xmas is pop to the local museum where one of the old punts still has the original barrel still in place and u are right - quite a fearsome weapon (to a flock !) and sounds v.similar to the punt u restored ! The punts used to be rowed/paddled over here as well - the sailing bit has only been around since the demise of the professional wildfowling scene. A couple of friends have an old punt with a deck which they use to go out shooting (12 bore rifles) - one handles the shot, one does the paddling, creeping up on the prey amongst the marshes. It's not everyone's cup of tea over here, but out here in the country (as opposed to urban dwellers !) it's viewed as legitimate sport, given that the birds killed are eaten/sold to local game butchers.

Will keep u updated, John - until then take care and happy building !

E.

[ericw]

Originally posted by John Meachen:
I recevied the new Water Craft yesterday and there is a picture of Rev. Neville Khambatta reclining in the cockpit of his punt. There are also a few shots of his other punts which are the racing variety. I used to know a man who built a punt to fit his punt gun. If memory serves, the gun fired a charge of a pound and a quarter. There is no possibility of pursuing this type of shooting around here these days. How about Essex?U are right, John about the original guns used on these sort of punts ... I don't think u would want to be standing in the way ! Re shooting in Essex - 12 bore is still alive out on the marshes/mud flats, but don't think the old muzzle loader type is used anymore - a tad too indescriminate in this day and age of gun control !

[Stargazer14]

Keep the photos coming Eric, I enjoyed the posting.
It must be a nice experience for you to build your first boat and do it with a master boat builder!
Your first photo reminded me that I built my first home
using only my VW Golf GTI, same color as yours, to carry ALL the materials. It made it throught that, and beyond, and was known as 'the truck'.

[ericw]

Originally posted by Stargazer14:
Keep the photos coming Eric, I enjoyed the posting.
It must be a nice experience for you to build your first boat and do it with a master boat builder!
Your first photo reminded me that I built my first home
using only my VW Golf GTI, same color as yours, to carry ALL the materials. It made it throught that, and beyond, and was known as 'the truck'.The trusty old VW Golf eh Stargazer - great bit of German engineering ! Re the boatbuilder - yes, I think this is one of his less taxing assignments over the years smile.gif - i'll grab some piccies of an old oyster smack he's rebuilding when I'm up there next wk - that's a bit more in tune with some other projects on this forum !

Take care ... E.

[Magwitch]

Originally posted by ericw:
[QUOTE] but don't think the old muzzle loader type is used anymore - a tad too indescriminate in this day and age of gun control !I know of four punt gunners still shooting in the Blackwater area and two more on the North Norfolk coast. They like to keep a low profile, on and off the water so I shan't identify them. One at least still uses a flint lock muzzle loader, the rest use percussion caps but all need to be taken ashore for re-loading. No problem with licence applications, bog standard shotgun cert is fine unless the shooter feels the need to use real black powder rather than Pyrodex. BP requires an explosives licence but some dont mind the bother. Black Powder being more "real". 12bore guns are carried as cripple stoppers but I know of one 8 bore,,,,,,,,
Normal finish of the punts seems to be dull grey, not a sign of shine anywhere.
IanW