Builders
Samphire
yachts were originally built by North Sea Craft, a
Norfolk-based company run by a man called Chris Gill from a family of Norwich builders. The
company had premises in Hall Road, Norwich. As well as the Samphire range they
had built the Tamarisk gaff-rigged cutters. These
were also heavyweight, long-keeled craft in various length
versions designed by David Cannell. Though North Sea Craft did
build some boats fitted out to completion, many boats were sold as
hull/deck mouldings for home completion, as was common at that time.
It is
believed that, like many British boatbuilders, they found the trading
conditions of the early eighties very difficult, and production of the
Samphires by North Sea Craft ceased and the moulds were sold on.
A
few later boats were built by other yards. For instance, Falmouth
Boats are believed to have built some late Samphire 23s: increasing
their ballast, adding a bowsprit, and changing the enclosed heads from
starboard to port. A recent broker advertisement for a Samphire
23 claimed it was the last one built, in 1993, and that the moulds are
'no longer available'.
Today North Sea Craft is based in Colchester, and
producing Tamarisk 19s, along with another David Cannell design, the 'North Sea
127'.
This 44 foot canoe-sterned ketch shares many characteristics with
the Samphires – heavy displacement, relatively shoal draft long keel, encapsulated ballast, balsa cored decks, etc.
Designer
The
three boats in the Samphire range were all designed by David M.
Cannell BSc(Hons) CEng FRINA FYBDSA MAE. David kindly met with
Samphire 26 owner Iain Scott to explain the background to these
designs. The following is Iain's account of the interview.
In
the mid-1960s, while studying physics at London University, David
Cannell was also teaching sailing on a reservoir that today lies just a
short step from where the North Circular road meets the start of the M1
motorway. Whatever the local council may say, it's not the
prettiest of places, but needs must. As a boy in Plymouth
David had been severely bitten by the sailing bug, courtesy of
first his father, then the Navy.
His
father 'bought a cruising boat, a small converted clinker fishing boat,
fairly heavy displacement with internal ballast', and as his mother
remained unconverted to the joys of sailing after her one trip out,
David was 'detailed' by his father to help pick up buoys, moor or cast
off, and generally accompany him as the pair gradually ventured further
afield on various sailing trips.
Foul
weather gear was black macs buttoned up, and the decks leaked so they
had to sleep under plastic sheets, but... 'the bug bit'. So much
so that after he'd completed his degree and had to figure out what he
wanted to do, he 'decided I really need to do what I've got a passion
for... which is boats'.
His
first try was for top American design company Sparkman & Stephens.
He even managed to gain an interview with Olin Stephens himself,
who was over in London for a meeting. 'You're very qualified
technically, but can you draw?' was the result. Finding that
actual drawing classes were a bit thin on the ground, he took the next
logical step, which was to study naval architecture and 'become a
member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects'.
Today he is a Fellow of that Institution, Chairman of
its Small Craft Group, and has served as President of the Yacht
Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association. It seems that
Olin Stephens' loss was our gain.
But
it was not until the early 1970s, after a spell at Lloyds Registry
of Shipping (where, among other things, he 'rejected an offer to
help set up a department for nuclear powered ships') and a move to
Wivenhoe on the River Colne in Essex, that David began to establish
himself as a surveyor and independent designer. Then
the story of Samphire yachts begins.
To be continued. Don't miss the next exciting episode!
This
website is being developed by a small
group of Samphire owners to share knowledge and promote interest in
these craft. We hope to formally set up a Samphire Owners'
Association shortly, and would be pleased to hear from other Samphire
owners, or anyone else who has knowledge of or interest in these
boats. (See Home page for contact details.) 
Samphire Owners' Association