View Full Version : Coracles
Anyone built one? on a course or otherwise? I'd like to build one (when i get some time and some spare cash) and was just curious to see if any of you guys had given it a go?
John Fenna
05-04-2011, 22:19
Built a bull boat once great fun!
Built a bull boat once great fun!
was it difficult? I fancied just having a go at making the frame work to start.
John Fenna
05-04-2011, 22:23
was it difficult? I fancied just having a go at making the frame work to start.
Pretty easy realy (as I recall - it was years ago! - wrote it up for SWAT magazine...)
is it similar to what Ray Mears did in one of his programmes, stake out the size and shape then build the framework within it?
I would like to go on one of the traditional courses done by Peter Faulkner but the cash flow is going towards the car for the next few months! :/
resnikov
05-04-2011, 22:30
Theres a chap over on Natural Bushcraft who is making one here (http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?804-First-attempt-at-a-Coracle)
Realbark
05-04-2011, 22:32
Dunno if i can should another forum but roadkillphil on NBC has been scratchbuilding a coracle with a sort of photodiary as it develops
robin wood
06-04-2011, 00:50
Terry Kenny does a great course, I built a coracle with him 20 years ago. He has done a huge amount to popularise coracles in the UK. http://www.coraclemaker.co.uk/
Peter tends to cover with hide which is expensive, Terry uses calico and tar, quick and cheap which is very much part of the coracle tradition.
John Fenna
06-04-2011, 07:52
is it similar to what Ray Mears did in one of his programmes, stake out the size and shape then build the framework within it?
I would like to go on one of the traditional courses done by Peter Faulkner but the cash flow is going towards the car for the next few months! :/
Just like that!
Have a look at ththe national corracle centre website (they have a copy of the article I wrote in the centre...but I dont think it is on the website) masses of info on corracles!
I would not be suprised to find RM got his inspiration from this centre :D
Round here they still use corracles for fishing on the rivers - an unbroken tradition from prehistory - and the bloke who taught me actually paddled one across the English Channel.
Manacles
06-04-2011, 08:59
If anyone fancies trying a go in a coracle with a bit of instruction to boot the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge (Gloucestershire) have them for hire for a fiver an hour, you get basic instruction and an opportunity to paddle about on your own in their shallow reeed beds. It's best to telephone for availabiliy. Just google Slimbridge for more details...........
cheers for all your help guys!
bearbait
06-04-2011, 17:19
I see you reside in Radnorshire. I built a coracle on a course run by Tim Wade in Newbridge-on-Wye or thereabouts, some years ago.
http://www.mirrorcomputing.co.uk/bcuk/IMG_2763_cr.jpg
Yes mate, I'm not far from there really, well about 25-30 mile. might look into a local course when the funds are a bit better!
thats a great looking coracle by the way!