Skipjack, a 1912 25’ gaff cutter racing yacht, is currently being restored by Kyle Abingdon of Abingdon Marine Carpentry, a shipwright with 18 years of experience in the sector. Find out more about Skipjack, the project, and how you can keep up and support the work below.
History
Skipjack was built in 1912 by H Gale of Cowes, Isle of Wight, to a design by Sydney Burnett on the lines of an Itchen Ferry – except for a cut away forefoot. She is 25’ with an 8’ beam and a 5’ draft, and has an Elm keel, oak frames (sawn and steam bent), pitch pine planking, a deck with teak brightwork, a lead keel plating and bronze fastenings throughout.
She was built for Mr Atkey of Pascall Atkey Chandlers in Cowes, and named Laura II, after Mr Atkey’s existing vessel Laura. Originally, Atkey had attempted to market Laura II as a class, appearing in his 1913 catalogue, and she is known to have had a very successful racing career, reaching 10 knots.
Conservation Project
Kyle Abingdon began the conservation project in mid-2025. At that point, Skipjack was surveyed and gutted, with her engine being removed, with findings indicating the vessel needed a new keel, stem, sternpost, deadwood and transom, as well as some repairs to the deck beams. The hull planks, beam shelf and deck were found to still be in very good condition.
As of May 2026, a new rudder has been made, and the deck beams are being repaired. The next step will be to fit a new keel, with the elm being sourced from a tree in Scotland.
Kyle is documenting the conservation process through his YouTube channel and has had a number of volunteers join the project, either through friends or through engagement online. If you are interested in volunteering with this project, be in touch with us and we will put you in contact.
You can support the project by subscribing to its Patreon or contributing to its GoFundMe appeal for hull planks.
Find out more about Abingdon Marine Carpentry here: www.marinecarpentry.co.uk
Follow the project on YouTube: @abingdonmarinecarpentry