Moosk

Moosk, our gaff yawl, is listed on the National Historic Ships UK Register and celebrated her 100th birthday before many of those sailing on her today were born!

Built as a classic gentleman’s cruiser in 1906, she still looks beautiful – timeless and elegant. Gaff yawls are particularly noted for their seaworthiness, handling, balance, manoeuvrability, comfort and speed.

Nowadays, she is equally well suited to accommodating school and youth groups and individuals on adventure sailing weeks. Her modest size makes her easy for both younger and adult crew members to handle safely, both under sail and motor, making her the perfect choice for DofE Expeditions, teenage and adult RYA courses.

She often races competitively in both Small and Tall Ships Races, ranking highly in the results.

History

Built by W.H.Thomas in Falmouth in 1906 as an auxiliary yacht, she was one of the first boats to be built with a motor and ‘sparks’ for lighting the cabin. After being the joy of many owners during her first forty years of life, her sailing history is somewhat obscure and she was found abandoned and wrecked in Glasgow in 1998.

Rescued by Eyemouth International Sailing Craft Association and transported to East Anglia, her re-build was completed by G.Brown & Son in Southwold, Suffolk and she was re-launched on 21 August 2001

In January 2012 she was sold to The Island Trust.

Funding

In 2015/16 we carried out major works to ensure her ability to support our charitable work with young people for many years to come, whilst also respecting and maintaining her historic importance. We were fortunate to secure funding towards the works from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People and we are very appreciative of their support.

We are incredibly thankful for funding from Arts Council England through the PRISM fund which enabled us to carry out keel repairs during the winter of 2017/18, including a new inner stem and stronger floors, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support during the 2020 coronavirus crisis, who awarded funding towards Moosk’s ongoing costs, enabling us to continue to sail with young people as part of the recovery from the crisis and long into the future.

Construction

A very strong construction of oak frames and teak planking strapped with iron floors and knees, she is a sea worthy vessel, rigged as a gaff yawl, simple and handy to sail with a fine and deep hull that makes her light through the water.

Layout

8 guest berths:

Walkthrough tour