Kidby Sons Oyster Smack Kidby Oyster Smack CK348

Wooden Ships Comments on this Kidby Oyster Smack CK348

Kidby Oyster Smack built in Brightlingsea on 1907. One of only 2 remaining Kidby & Sons boats still sailing. Fishing number CK348, which denotes her registration in Colchester Creek.

Complete professional rebuild in Maldon completed in 2003 with all new planking, frames and deck. In current ownership since 2010, she has been thoroughly upgraded with:

• New spars


• New sails


• New rigging


• Engine installation


• New interior

In the present ownership, My Alice has been raced regularly and successfully with the east coast Smack fleet, known to be a fast boat and one to beat.

The engine installation comprises a main engine with hydraulic drives to a separate leg and propeller each side. This set up has minimal impact on her sailing performance but allows for excellent close quarter handling with 2 widely spaced propellers.

A very impressive smack in fine fettle, only offered for sale due to the owner's health. 2024 survey report available. Registered with National Historic Ships.

Specifications

• Length on Deck: 46’


• Length Overall: 68’


• Beam: 11’7”


• Draft: 6’

History

My Alice was built by Kidby & Sons in Brightlingsea to the order of Captain Fred Stokes of Tollesbury. Stokes was a local fisherman and one of the many sailors from this area of the country who were employed during the summer season to race the big J-class yachts on the south coast of England and beyond.

Stokes became a successful racing skipper in the big class yachts, earning himself a good deal of prize money on top of his wages. Between 1905 and 1908, he earned as much as £100 per season in prize money, plus wages of £3/week. This was the equivalent to the price of a good house which gave him enough money to commission his own smack to his own specification.

Stokes knew what he wanted, a racing smack that would be able to fish but could be pushed hard with excellent performance. Her lines are exquisite with a very elegant counter that is slightly narrower than many of her contemporaries. Her underwater sections have a smooth run aft, good hull form midships and fine fore sections with good bite for windward work.

My Alice was his pride and joy and is known from the beginning as a fast boat, but she was also a very successful fishing vessel. In 1930 she broke the record with 130 barrels of sprats caught in one tide with a single net. It is thought she still holds this record.

Between 1993 – 2001, My Alice was completely rebuilt by a yard in Maldon with 3 highly respected shipwrights, led by Brian Kennell, working on her. All the frames, planking and deck were renewed with little of the original structure left. This work was well documented.