HMS Psyche’s Longboat
Purchased in August 2017, our boat represents one of the historic HMS Psyche’s longboats. Longboats were used to move supplies and personnel between ship and shore. Our boat was built by Mr. Ken Fisher and friends in 2009 from 1776 Admiralty plans.
Specifications
22 ft 5 in. length of hull, 6 ft 6 in. beam.
The hull is made from single-mold fibreglass, reinforced with Kevlar, with wood trim and fixtures.
The boat is Canadian Coast Guard compliant with the necessary safety equipment.
Propulsion
Two sprit-sail rigged masts plus bowsprit & heads’l (jib).
7 oars, 14 to 16 feet long - Rowing gives her better control, at a steady pace.
9.9 horsepower outboard Suzuki motor used for navigating out of marinas and in poor weather.
Psyche’s sprits’l rig is based on a traditional auxiliary rig that can be struck down and easily stowed. It is not as efficient as a modern Marconi rig. Sailing her requires close attention to the sheets. She sails best on a broad reach.
Armament
A one-inch bore, brass swivel gun, nicknamed “Siren”, which fires blank black powder charges.
The longboat under sail.
Under oars, the boat is very maneuverable.
Flintlock muskets & blunderbuss, cutlasses, pikes and other small arms round out our arsenal
Some photos by Steve Zronik