‘La Mouette’ and the Everson Elevens

“‘La Mouette’ longs for lazy summer afternoons spent exploring the inlets and creeks of the Deben with friends and a picnic.”

‘La Mouette’s story begins in the summer of 2021 when her future owners bought a little RIB from our neighbour, Andy Seedhouse Boat Sales, with which to explore the Deben. The RIB was brought through to our yard, launched and moored on our pontoon from where it pottered off regularly with Vicki, George, a pair of dogs and often some friends or family aboard. After several months of enjoying the river with ‘Maverick’ Vicki raised the question of a clinker dinghy. We have seen an increasing number of traditionally-rigged dinghies, old and new, on the river in recent years used for picnics, tenders, exploring the more secret stretches of water or visiting the various waterside pubs. They’re a joy to see and to sail, can be rigged as quickly as any modern dinghy and can drop their rigs in an instant to pass under bridges and explore upriver so they have a huge and diverse appeal. It was seeing these dinghies at play which brought back memories of learning to sail in similar boats with her father. We quickly organised an opportunity for Vicki to go sailing with a group of these dinghies and to borrow General Manger Matt’s vintage Everson 11 footer and, whilst sailing skills were rusty (the poor little boat was soon seen gently nuzzled into a patch of saltmarsh with Vicki aboard laughing), clearly none of the magic of those Swallows and Amazons days had diminished.

Above - Old and New Everson Elevens sail together

Many options were discussed to find the right way of achieving Vicki’s dream boat including refurbishing an older boat and building in fibreglass or plywood but eventually it was decided that a faithful and traditional replica of the 11ft Everson was the way to go.

Very few drawings or records survive of the many boats built by Eversons Boatyard between 1889 and today and the dinghies were so numerous and everyday that they were not even given build numbers so we can only estimate at the older dinghies ages but it seems fair to assume that Matt’s probably dates back to the 1930s and, based upon the several surviving examples that we know of, the design was scaled up and down at will to satisfy customer requests. Here at the yard, we also have a 9ft example and from Felixstowe Ferry sails ‘Cariad’ a 12 footer. In the case of ‘La Mouette’ it was decided to stay at 11ft LOA (Length Overall) so moulds were taken directly from the boat, recording her shape and allowing it to be replicated.

Above - The vintage E11 in the workshop for her lines to be taken

In January 2022, with her lines defined, we could begin the process of building the new dinghy. A strongback was erected and three moulds positioned along its length. With the addition of her transom, cut from a wide board of Khaya African mahogany, her Norfolk-grown oak stem, apron, keel and hog her shape appeared for the first time. ‘La Mouette’s stern post is fashioned from a piece of oak from Vicki and George’s family farm; a relatively small part of the boat but a deeply sentimental and symbolic piece for the project as a whole.

Above - Moulds and strongback in place

‘La Mouette’ is planked in Siberian Larch, a fantastically versatile boatbuilding timber and one that we are able to source in well-sized, clear lengths. Each plank is secured on to locally-grown oak ribs with copper nails which are secured in the traditional way with a copper rove. This is the same technique of securing timbers as you will find on the 1,400 year old Sutton Hoo ship and wooden boats around the world – if it ain’t broke…

Over the many years, the older boats have had repairs and modifications and where possible we have tried to make ‘La Mouette’ truer to how the original would have once been when she was first built. These are only small details, a scored line around the lower edge of the thwarts and inwales or the delicate shape of the hanging knees but by taking reference from some of the other surviving Everson dinghies we were pleased to be able to replicate them.

Whilst almost every boatyard will have once had a set of half moulds to make its own local dinghy, it is very rare these days that a boatyard still builds its own traditional design. We feel very lucky to still be building our Everson dinghies after more than 100 years and welcome any enquiries to build more.

Above - Vicki’s first test sail of a vintage E11

Left - ‘La Mouette’ fully planked

Finding the right balance of sailing performance and comfort was important and various styles and sizes of rigs were considered. We did not feel that we were straying from historical accuracy in this respect as the sail on my own dinghy is secondhand and so we have no evidence of the sailplans that she has carried through the years. We toyed with the idea of different styles of lug rig and even going open-footed (without a boom) but in the end a fairly high-peaked, balanced lugsail was selected and made at Suffolk Sails, within sight of the yard.

As the weeks became months passers-by along Woodbridge’s river wall witnessed the little boat taking shape, first upside down and then righted, until finally her sheer planks were fitted. The sheer lines of many Everson boats, the yachts as well as the dinghies, are quite distinctive, with an exaggerated sweep upwards towards the bow; a more expensive way of building a boat as wider timbers are required but with very pretty results.

Left - Fitted out, varnish is built up

Spars were made from douglas fir. The rudder and centreplate were carefully modelled on the various example we could find and made in-house.

With everything made, attention was turned to painting and lots of varnishing. Coat upon coat was built up emphasising the natural beauty of the wood until in late May she was ready. Plans had been made and the yard coordinated with the Old Gaffers Association to combine their rally which was based from Waldringfield Boatyard with a celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, ‘La Mouette’s launch and Everson-built ‘Clytie’s 100th year afloat. On the Sunday of the bank holiday weekend 20 or so classic and traditionally-rigged boats descended (Can you descend upriver? Ascended?) upon Woodbridge in fairly spectacular fashion, charging around joyfully in the breezy but sunny conditions. During that first sail and subsequently, ‘La Mouette’ has proved herself nimble, seakindly, stable and fun; well suited to the waters for which she was designed. Having enjoyed their sail, crews headed for land and a BBQ at the boatyard where ‘La Mouette’ was brought ashore for inspection under many expert eyes. She was gladly welcomed as a fine addition to the fleet.

Above - ‘La Mouette’s maiden voyage

Left - Launch Day

Since that weekend in June ‘La Mouette’ has been busy with lots of sailing on the Deben and a 10 day trip to Southampton for the boat show where she sat proudly on the Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association stand and caught the eye of Classic Boat Magazine’s editor who subsequently nominated and shortlisted her for the 2023 awards in the New Sailing Vessel category. ‘La Mouette’ placed third in the New Sailing Vessels category 2023.

Above - ‘La Mouette’ ashore for the Old Gaffers Association celebrations

Right - ‘La Mouette’ and Deben Cherub ‘Jubilee’ make Woodbridge Boatyards’ debut appearance at Southampton International Boat Show in 2022.

In 2025 we were very pleased to launch a sister to ‘La Mouette’, ‘Oystercatcher’.

‘Oystercatcher’ is built to the same design at ‘La Mouette’ and the other Eversons but is planked in Khaya with oak shear planks and oak fit out, a contrast in colours that beautifully compliments her sister.

‘Oystercatcher’ was shown at the 2025 Southampton Intentional Boat Show to great acclaim.

Above - Details

Left - ‘Oystercatcher’ afloat on launch day

Below - ‘Oystercatcher’ at SIBS 2025