Fabian Bush Boatbuilder

Custom Boat Building

…(above)….16 ft dayboat MEREBELLA - The launch and delivery were delayed by Covid-19; MEREBELLA was eventually launched for testing and a trial sail in 2021, and then put away again for the winter. In 2022, with delivery still not achieved, the owner’s circumstances changed such that he reluctantly decided to part with the boat.I’m pleased to say that this April 2024 Merebella has found a new home, based on the Blackwater in Essex. More news in due course.

**My work encompassed both traditional boatbuilding and modern boatbuilding using wood. The majority of craft I have worked on are traditional-style clinker boats built using both traditional methods - solid timber and metal fastenings - and modern methods - plywood planking with glue.

This site shows the variety of work I have undertaken over the years - and indicates my aptitudes and interests. Craft built over the years include canoes and yacht tenders, rowing boats and sailing dayboats, and the occasional classic “replica”. I’ve handled a few larger projects for restoration like the West Solent OD “HALLOWEEN, finished new boatssuch as as YARA (which I also designed). The biggest build in Rowhedge was CONSTANCE, and at Osea Island the 30 ft launch ZEINA II (now known as MEANDER II). I also help people with their own projects, demonstrating and undertaking some of the work if wished; this may involve providing advice on projects at the outset, condition reports and assessment of work entailed. One notable example was my role as portrayed in the book “How to Build a Boat” by Jonathan Gornall (Simon & Schuster 2018)

I ran the Traditional Boatbuilding course at the Nottage Institute, Wivenhoe, from 1988 - 1923.

Now, in 2024, I am trying to avoid further large commitments. I’ve fallen into the role of editing the Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association newsletter “Soundings” so I’d be interested in receiving any material or comments which might be of interest to the trade…. I’m keen to stay “in the swim”, as it were, and I am open to any enquiries - if I cannot undertake the work myself I would hope to be able to point you in the right direction. I have some design plan for sale. I have also been involved with RCD (Recreational Craft Directive) certification of my own boats and although I am not fully an expert I might be able to help boat builders with how to approach this subject.**

New Rowing Dinghy

Projects and News

January 2024

New Year, Leap Year, first year of “retirement” proper, though the news is still much the same: small jobs and projects, own boats; now I’ve become editor of the Wooden Boatbuilders’ Trade association newsletter “Soundings” following in the footsteps of Nick Newland of Swallow Boats who sadly passed away last year - his presence will be much missed indeed.

This website

has transferred to a new regime becoming a “static” website and making editing and introducing new content and so on a bit cumbersome. In the move a few glitches have occurred with some files, photos, and downloads not working properly - apologies for that - I’m working on a new , probably smaller and simpler, site - as everything in my life seems to be slowing down I’m not giving a date for the launch!

The Nottage

The traditional boatbuilding class at the Nottage Institute is now in the capable hands of Mick Allen from Brightlingsea, with Martin Hargreaves (St Johns Boats) still in the assistant role.After a few sessions “handing over” I’ve stopped going in which feels like quite a change! I’m still supplying materials and advice as needed. I had been running this since 1988 under the benign management of the committee who oversee the Institue’s activities.

The latest Dinghy

In 2021 I designed and built the prototype of a small rowing clinker plywood dinghy (9 ft/2.75 m) for the class - which is now under construction in the Nottage class. This project was generously supported by the Hervey Benham Trust which funded me to do the plans and make the moulds and templates for the boat, while I funded the actual boat which I now use as a rowing dinghy and as a tender for my sailing yacht “Hanser”. Use of the boat has led me to modify my original plan for the interior layout to iron out ergonomic clashes - hard to get everything right first time! - the boat does row and tow well which is the main thing…. Last summer the dinghy was towed all round the Thames Estuary and proved dry and unproblematic, while being a useful boat to have on hand in various anchorages where a long haul to shore was desired. Nothing like a half-decent rowing dinghy as a tender!

Contact

Please do get in touch with any enquiry (or comment)

For Sale