Sustainable recreation- watersport

There is a growing interest in coracles and currachs.

Searching the Internet shows several build-it-yourself courses a year.

Reenactment is a growing interest and attempts are being made to create a multi-period reenactment boat group

By encouraging the building and enjoyment of boats from sustainable materials one could develop a healthy hobby

and living pattern and help to open up Britain’s waterways which are too often the preserve of the privileged fishing interests.

Utility of use is here as well. If a dweller near a waterway had that route to work or shopping and access to an affordable craft

then another alternative to the car journey becomes possible. I doubt if a living could be made from sea fishing but a natural boat

would be a useful adjunct to any living plan that included marine resources.

Initial craft:

Coracle

Currach or curragh

Dugouts (very wasteful of wood)

Punt

Flat-bottomed double-ender like the Somerset Turf boats

Flatners

Canoes, Canadian and Proa outrigger type

Materials

Hazel and willow poles and basketwork

Twine, possibly from nettles or other natural fibres

Boards

Trenails

Tar made from local pine trees

Some iron such as hand forged nails

Any recycled materials that can be used

these would be for utilitarian vessels more than historical boats.