Undine restoration - Ed Richardson writes:

Published 22:21 on 6 Aug 2025

Two years ago, I came across Undine in a barn in Bosham. She looked familiar and for good reason - she was nearly identical to the Emsworth One Design clinker model in the Club. After much research I identified her as a one of the 1922 clinker Emsworth One Designs built by George Feltham, and I then tracked her over the years using the British Newspaper Archive. She disappears from Emsworth in 1939 just prior to the war and reappears in Dell Quay in 1946 under a different name. She then turns up in Felpham and eventually Bosham.Read more here.

The original Gunter rig was long gone, and a heavy Bermudan rig was in its place. A lot of starboard planking needed replacement. Over the years she has had a new transom, multiple decks and a new keel. I replaced five planks and most of the timbers on the starboard side. I also re-caulked the garboard, and repaired and reseated the centreboard box, replacing rudder and stem fittings. After going in and out of the water multiple times to chase down yet more leaks, she stopped leaking.

I then set out to find a carbon rig which I hoped would be a bit kinder to the boat. A salvaged bow sprit and two 18ft skiff mast tops became the mast and boom. The rig is very much in its first stages, but it seems to be doing the job so far. The sails are from a later carvel EOD, something which was done in period to ensure the older clinker boats could race against the new Parham-built boats.

Having missed last year's Spinnaker Cup, I was keen to make sure I wouldn't miss it again. In 1938 Undine won the race with Harvey J Dixon helming. In 2025, 87 years later and after 3 and a bit hours of fighting the tide, my father and I made it round with a nice cheer at the finish!

I have now tracked down two more Parham EODs - Sir Brian Horrocks' E12 Ilona and D1 Breeze, both of which are awaiting restoration. E15, the lovely Makeway, is still owned by David Townsend. I hope to keep Undine at the Club for a long time.