Little luggers

Compulsive boat owner Clive Marsh explains why little luggers make perfect trailer-sailers

- CLIVE MARSH 

I have always wanted to have two traditionally styled small luggers. One for launching from a slipway and one light enough to drag across a shingle beach. The two boats that met these requirements were the Smacks boat and the Emsworth Lugger.

I was looking for a little 12-13ft lug sail dinghy for trailer sailing. Lug sails are my preferred rig for small traditional boats.

While gunter and gaff rigs are very nice to sail, the lug sail is my favourite because it is so quick and easy to set up. I could do it in a few minutes and this was key when regularly trailer sailing to new launch sites every few weeks.

The length of 12-13ft was just about right for ease of launching and moving around the drive by hand. I had tried bigger boats but found these to be a bit on the heavy side and since my strong son had flown from the nest I needed to be able to shift things easily myself.

Now, the problem was trying to find a good lugger of that length! You try finding one – they are as rare as hens’ teeth. There are smaller ones such as the Tideway 10 or the Emsworth Lugger (both fine boats) but I wanted something a tad larger.

SMACKS BOAT

Then I came across the Smacks Boat, a splendid 12ft 3in traditional lined boat in GRP with a balanced lug sail. Just looking at the lines and that beautiful transom, I could tell she was going to leave a clean wake, sail and row well.

What’s more, they are currently in production. If you Google ‘Smacks Boat’ you’ll find the current builder and a short history of the boat.