The cobles of the North East are markedly different from the small coastal fishing boats of anywhere else in Britain. This is most noticeable in the keel arrangement - single in the bows, double in the stern. The coble is also the only beach boat with a rudder that projects well below the bottom of the boat.

These boats are launched down the beach bows first, as most are, but returns to the beach stern first. The deep bow and the double keel aft both help to keep the boat straight as it goes through the surf and as it returns.

This boat was built as a sailing coble and will be returned to that state, but it was engined for all its working life.

'Boy's Own' was built for Robert Rutter of Seahouses in 1933. It was then taken over by his brother Henry, but upon the death of Robert, the boat was passed to his three sons; Raymond, John and Robert. It was used by them for fishing until 1984, when it was given to ISCA.

Boy's Own

Fishing

Coble

1933

United Kingdom

Seahouses ~ Northumberland

Length
32 ft 6 in

Width
7 ft 7 in

Depth
2 ft 9 in