My Classic Boat. Willow Bay Shilling. 17. 2008

This little beauty has stayed well under the radar. She may be called a Shilling (old money, 12 new pence) but at only 17ft she'll cost you a few shillings to buy. She's a gaff rigged cutter and is owned by a very proud Jeremy Retford. You have to take your shoes off to go aboard. We first caught up with Jeremy at the Yarmouth OGA - then followed him down to posh Sandbanks for a sail. You'll love this one - a real treat full of passion.
Copyright as always, Bob Aylott, My Classic Boat. Extra pictures Jeremy Retford. Music: Sleepy Dogs by Dave Houghton and Pip De Ste Croix. Please share and subscribe, and thanks to our 3.3 million viewers for tuning in.

[@rabwoody264]

Wonderful attitude to life buying something (not just a boat) because it's what you want and not because the herd has other ideas. Love the boat love the mindset .. L'amour est dans le coeur.. UK

[@mickfromaustralia902]

Memories of wonderful Bowness in 1984, what a pretty boat and a happy owner. Thank you.

[@sadretroy2352]

I just fell in love with that boat, she is beautiful.

[@blueskyredkite]

One of the prettiest boats I've ever seen. And the bright work looks a credit to the owner!

[@Knapweed]

What a beautiful swan of a yacht and judging by the exquisite maintenance, clearly loved. I only hope she will be just as loved by any subsequent owners.

[@martinsnoeimeester9346]

Am restoring a 1954 sailboat ...going to enlarge the cabin and use the layout of yours .... the chairs changing to beds ....absolutely great

[@alien_marksman]

Beautiful little boat. 17' Gaff Rigged. Tow-able behind an Average Car There's a lot to love about this.

[@pauljessome5718]

I love your video and agree that your boat is beautiful . She has a lovely spring in her sheer and is a nicely proportined seaworthy design. The designer reveals an understanding of the goodness found in nature. Fair winds or foul , you boat will endure. Paul , an old salt in Canada

[@thedarkroomcheltenham9032]

I saw the photos initially and loved it! Thanks for the video

[@CobrasArt]

Well done Jeremy can't think of a better reason for buying a boat, enjoy

[@JeffreyHoeper]

What a beauty! She's about the same size as my CLC Northeaster Dory, but is splendidly kitted out for cruising and camping. A delight to the eye, and I'm sure a delight to sail.

[@para1324]

Pristine and smart lines. Very good video and tour, thanks for sharing. 👍🇺🇸

[@bahceninrengi]

Very nice boat. Classic is always beautiful, I wish you a pleasant day.👍

[@neddythened2698]

Absolutely stunning little yacht :-)

[@Creek44]

Next time he asks to show sleep position please do I like the humor in it. Your boats very handsome indeed , you nailed it with description.

[@tuisitala9068]

I would say that this would be my ideal boat.

[@BrunoWiebelt]

very nice boat and skipper its great english boat design ... and a good concept for single-handed people

[@Thomas-gg1le]

I admire people like yourself I wish you all the best!

[@wombatone5577]

Lovely little boat. You can take it home and still admire the beautiful workmanship and tinker about all in cooee when required for home duties.

[@adrianvalbuena8158]

Lovely yatch, nice owner, and very clean and smart cabin design! 👍

[@intheworkseg6]

one of best designed boats Iv seen on this channel.....really love the cockpit area

[@1949dodgejm]

That luu gives a new meaning to the word bedpan

[@brandenjones716]

Definitely a beautiful yacht, I love the design so much and is really a perfect size for just a man and his boat

[@josephiudice5978]

She is very pretty!

[@feastures]

This yacht looks new, like the owner ;-) Thanks for making this great video.

[@davexjs5889]

She is beautiful. Quality and Regal

[@thisandthat176]

What a beautiful yacht!

[@beebester4106]

Just a very handsome an manageable yacht. Love it for what it is this is my kind of sailing.

[@PittwaterMowing]

beautiful yacht

[@HakureiReimuOfficial]

I love how brutally honest this guy is

[@g-sailing4427]

Yeah, he’s not going to remove his sleeping bags for some interviewer

[@patrickstarnes2355]

Beautiful ,the toilet is simple and easy, no complications there mate.

[@stevewhite791]

Cool boat! Everything you need.

[@johndemmer3496]

I love my West Wight Potter 15 but this is gorgeous. The best things are in small packages. To touch the water from the cockpit...

[@vidguy007]

I'm impressed by these pretty little boats and the people who own them.

[@wilsonpickett9485]

it is beautiful

[@ranter7100]

"Some of the snobby ones" Ha Ha. Lovely little boat.

[@Daviddickson]

She's gorgeous, and a perfect single hander. Reminds me of our old clinker built 23' gaff cutter, also a center boarder.

[@Chasing_The_Dream]

Beautiful

[@My24hradventure]

What a fantastic boat! I've got a fishing kayak which I've converted with a sail. But one day hope to have one like yours. That's the dream 👍

[@MohamedOmar-wh4zc]

Lovely boats.. i will take that if I could afford it over fiberglass one. Enjoy it...

[@914va]

Brilliant....beautiful Cutter!

[@teamrobbo]

That's how you do it!!!

[@aloysiusjones3985]

Awesome, a beautiful boat. Cheerio. 🇦🇺🍺👍

[@marclonte3059]

What A beautiful vessel, how do You manage to keep your wood work so fine

[@jeremyretford3101]

The boat is now 11 years old. Paintwork is original, varnish gets done a bit each year on a three year cycle. All 2 pack.

[@dfredriksz]

Lovely....

[@tm502010]

Wonderful video. Absolutely adorable boat!

[@jamesadams1064]

Brilliant! Dear Santa, from across the pond.

[@villereinikainen770]

I like that boat

[@ivanlussich8146]

Cozy little sailboat indeed. I wish I could own one but I haven't sailed for decades -week-end golf took over.... Regards from Uruguay

[@GeorgeSagen]

Nice lines

[@MrACOUSTICPETE]

A lovely boat ! You fit very well together .

[@ian2283]

25k for a handmade to order boat of that quality and design seems like a bargain ! Lovely boat and skipper who tells it like it is. Would be great to see some of your trips in her 🙂

[@jeremyretford3101]

I have a Google blog called "sailing Margherita". Not put much on lately, but there are loads of pictures - including the build - if you trawl earlier posts.

[@jamestaylor3075]

@@jeremyretford3101 She's a beauty! A work of art for sure. You're lucky to have her and she you!

[@jimharris2897]

Bravo!!. Cheers, fair winds, and aloha y'all.

[@AJourneyOfYourSoul]

Absolutely beautiful. How the cabin is situated, with the seating for/aft, is a fantastic idea.

[@davidspelmans9438]

Lovely little boat!!!

[@beneathpavement1]

Absolutely lovely.

[@bowman26]

Another fantastic video by the great interrogator Bob Aylott. Would've been nice to see if a man fits into that berth. Will have to take his word for it. Nice little boat.

[@myclassicboat9083]

Bowman 26 - long keel boat you still here?

[@bowman26]

Yes, waiting for my marching orders, but fear that they may never come.

[@myclassicboat9083]

We’ve changed are minds - you can stay- get your tin hat we’re going to crash out with a bang- about time too

[@myclassicboat9083]

Boris could save your bacon

[@bowman26]

My Classic Boat there is little chance - I am neither a woman nor blond.

[@n2dabloo]

All the boat I’d ever need. Lovely

[@glennesbit5069]

charming sailor with a lovely boat.

[@fortunateson3387]

Beautiful boat, dearly maintained and sailed. Great design which should continue in production.

[@fighterscorner6787]

Beautiful little boat and a great video thank you for sharing

[@higherfordkid1625]

This is a happy little ship !

[@CaptainZG]

beautiful boat !! A feast for the eyes :) I understand comments about modern outboard looking out of place, but as Jeremy stated it is a necessity in some areas with strong tides or currents ... I am right now struggling to make decision what to put on my transom ( an old British-built bilge keeler 20' LOA) because I hate the look of modern small outboards.... and I do not understand why a 4-5HP outboard must look (and be heavy) as an old 50HP 2-stroke outboard !! it is true that 4-stroke engine has (a few) more parts, but 5HP outboard which is coming close to 70-80 lbs is just beyond my comprehension ....

[@taiming71]

Very nice looking boat. Well worth 25k.

[@Karla-Flr]

So nice 👍

[@ThomasSteffien]

i love the looks aof that boat - classic lines and a cutter rigg - nice

[@busterholmes4934]

Such a beauty.

[@NickVass1000]

Fantastic video and great little classic yacht

[@Mr229357]

Nice boat 🙂🙂

[@briansmythe3219]

Lovely little ship

[@anthonyrosa5006]

Beautifully done!

[@Galloss1936]

Poucas vezes tenho visto um veleiro tão bonito e com tanto cuidado na construção.

[@bryansmith1920]

My Dad would have loved one of these boats if they had been made in he's day He owned two Driscombs a drifter and a crabber I learnt to sail at my Daddies Knee (he was 1 page ahead of me in the instruction manual)

[@P61guy61]

Excellent. Thank you for posting

[@moonolyth]

What lines yoiu can tell right off shese nice. I have an old Nordica 16 still cleaning her up but cant waite! and the sails !!!

[@BobLinton]

I love it!

[@Alanjamessouthey]

love at first sight

[@gemfaceter]

What a beautiful boat!

[@SteveCampbell8901]

excellent video, thanks for that

[@ecnavttocs]

great boat.. great story..

[@jamtree9746]

Nice boat.

[@AquaMarine1000]

Land Cruiser yesss... standard kit in Australia.

[@contessa3292]

Of all the elements that go into a boat, the one that can't be compromised is beauty. Life's too short to own an ugly boat - quite. Lovely proportions, and a super vessel that suits the type of sailing you wish to do - kudos. Fair winds.

[@lawneymalbrough4309]

She looks good, but she's technically a sloop because of the location of the mast. The fact that you added a stay sail doesn't change the basic rigging of the boat.

[@jeremyretford3101]

In America maybe, but in UK a sloop is generally taken to have one headsail and a cutter two (or more).

[@emilybh6255]

Are there any videos of small Herreshoff designed boats (both Nathanial and L. Francis) such as the 12 1/2 and the Fish Class, Marlins and S boats?

[@barryroach1980]

Too small for me , but I'm somewhat of a lard a*#e! Saying that it suits a purpose and looks great. Thanks again CB for another sterling Vlog!

[@philipritson8821]

Sadly Origo Stoves are now out of production! So the cooking on board options are getting more complicated.

[@vidguy007]

The single burner butane stoves are very inexpensive and safe.

[@Sailboatstory]

My word, what a gorgeous little ship! Something magical about those wooden sailboats couple with the charming accents. How long would I have to live in your part of the world before the accent would rub off on me? Might be planning a move. :) -Ben

[@myclassicboat9083]

Sailboat Story we’re born with them . Thanks for watching

[@Mungo-Man]

This little boat would likely clock up many more nautical miles than the larger "snob factor" behemoths berthed inside a marina longing to be used.

[@PaulAnthonyDuttonUk]

Yeh. Perfect touring boat. Love the tent as well yet think I would try to fashion a crapper in the cockpit someplace and if you held the tiller whilst about your business who would know anyway(morning vicar - lovely day) He needs to get a vintage outboard as the one he has spoils the look but I can see the appeal of having such trailering ability plus it is very pretty taboot. )

[@jeremyretford3101]

The object of the solution I designed was to avoid having to crap in the cockpit. I have done this on occassion, but generally, there are too many other boats about!

[@PaulAnthonyDuttonUk]

Porta potty on deck forward of the mast then with some fashioned vanity curtain maybe. Forward affords a bit of privacy as well and needed distance from the action when you have guests. Lovely lines by the way and can see why she caught your eye.

[@jasonreid611]

Fantastic boat...I wonder how she’d fair in rougher water in 25/30 knt wind?

[@jeremyretford3101]

I have recently sailed her in gusts of 28kts, with two reefs in the main and jib only (staysail furled). It was in the Solent, with wind over a spring ebb tide and I was beating to windward. It was a bigger squall than expected and very much on the limit of what I was happy with. But, but spilling wind in the biggest gusts, I got from Cowes to Lymington (5 miles) safely and without any gear failures - albeit very wet and rather shaken about. My normal self imposed "happy" limit is about 16-18 knots with one reef in and she is fine with that.

[@jasonreid611]

Well Jeremy, even if you aren’t the owner, that was a good overview 🤔

[@gpm9256]

Looks similar to the Wild Duck by Buchanan

[@RolandLowhorn]

Another example size does that matter what matters is lovely and Grace and of course a wine Locker

[@ahmadfarrall2097]

I want one

[@jonathansimmonds5784]

But the tradition is to put a coin under the heel of a mast. I have a tabernacle on a 19 footer, there's a coin in the tabernacle plus another under the compression post. It's not common to bolt a tabernacle in that way, I wonder why it is. Pity you didn't try a yawl rig, I used to teach in a Salcombe Yawl, lovely versatile rig and you really don't notice the extra string. How much?!!!! Strewth.

[@jeremyretford3101]

worth every penny!

[@glyncaemawr6957]

Beautiful boat. A shilling was 12 old pennies which is 5 new pence....also known as a Bob.

[@jeremyretford3101]

Shilling number five is named Five Bob and number 10 is Ten Bob!

[@philipritson8821]

And twenty of them equals a pound. Twenty one of them was a guinea!

[@patrickhay8079]

Lovely boat, but something wrong with the lower rudder pintle? Look carefully around 2min 20 secs.

[@jeremyretford3101]

thanks but no, the pintles are fine

[@mickcarson8504]

Very nice boat. How much would it cost?

[@jeremyretford3101]

Hello Mick. You had best ask Dick Phillips who now runs Willow Bay Boats in Lyme Regis (Google him) but Margherita took 8 months for (mostly) one man to build and had about £12K of materials in it. I would estimate that to build one to the same level of fitout and finish now would be close to £30K. Plus trailer and engine!

[@canyonhaverfield2201]

🎈fits in the water well

[@q.e.d.9112]

Beautiful little gaffer, though verging on being twee. The outboard spoils her perfection. Wouldn’t a sweep, or yuloh be more in keeping with the classic ethos?

[@jeremyretford3101]

You are right about the engine, but it is a practical necessity. Tides in the harbour entrance can run at 4kts or more. Don't fancy going against that with a sweep.. Anyway, I can't see it when I'm sailing..

[@q.e.d.9112]

Jeremy Retford Of course, in the old days (I’m pushing 80) we had to wait for the tide to turn. Then we got a Seagull, and by the time we got it started the tide had turned, anyway! Still, a Seagull would look more the part. 😉

[@jeremyretford3101]

@@q.e.d.9112 My dad used to have seagulls - we got over it happily. Never again. Noisy, oily vibratory and smelly.

[@lacleman9394]

Does/Can she come with a gaff topsail?

[@jeremyretford3101]

Hi Lac. No she does not. Sail area is fine as is and that would be too much hassle for single handed sailing. Gaff peak us high anyway.

[@lacleman9394]

@@jeremyretford3101 Many thanks for your reply Jeremy. She is a beauty, I must say, even without one. If ever you are looking for a buyer, let me know.