Cormorant
A. R. Luke
Builder
Luke Bros, Hamble
Built
1911
Construction
Carvel pitch pine on oak frames
Length overall (LOA)
38 ft 0 in / 11.58 m
Length on deck (LOD)
30 ft 0 in / 9.14 m
Length waterline (LWL)
22 ft 0 in / 6.71 m
Beam
7 ft 6 in / 2.29 m
Draft
4 ft 9 in / 1.45 m
Displacement
4 tonnes
Engine
None
Location
United Kingdom
Design, construction and rebuild
Cormorant was built by Luke Bros on the Hamble in 1911 to a design by A. R. Luke. She is carvel-built in pitch pine on oak frames, with no engine.
Her principal dimensions are 38 ft length overall, 30 ft on deck, 22 ft on the waterline, 7 ft 6 in beam and 4 ft 9 in draft.
Peter Brookes rebuilt Cormorant over a ten-year period to 2006. The work addressed the structure that determines the yacht’s strength, shape and reliability.
The rebuild included replacement of the forward and aft deadwoods, most of the sawn oak frames and steamed timbers, and replacement of iron strap floors with laminated iroko floors. Cormorant was completely refastened with silicon-bronze screws and bolts, with a new iroko sternpost, the lead keel dropped and refitted with silicon-bronze keel bolts, and a new all-teak cockpit.
Frames, floors and fastenings
The restoration photographs show Cormorant opened up and rebuilt from the structure outward.
Frames, floors, deadwoods, fastening work and keel bolts are the structure that allows the yacht to hold her shape, carry her rig and return to use with confidence.
Project enquiries
Every wooden yacht presents a different combination of construction, condition, history and intended use.
Speak with Peter Brookes about what should be retained, what requires attention and the right scope for the work.