 |
After success in electrical and mechanical
engineering Ted Bird decided on a career change and to learn
about traditional and modern wooden boat building.
At the Lyme Regis School, Ted met Jack Chippendale, founder
and president of Chippendale Craft. About to retire, Jack
transferred the business to Ted in Rye, East Sussex, where
all the present range of products are produced. Jack had been
making traditional and modern wood boats since 1947. From
that year until the late 70s Jack was in the forefront of
the development, design and manufacture of a number of new
classes of racing dinghies, including National 12s, Merlin
Rockets, Flying Fifteens, Fireballs and International Fourteens.
He also built the first 505, the first Osprey and the first
Kestrel as well as building quarter ton and half ton yachts.
During this period some 4000 boats were produced by the Chippendale
company. At the end of this period GRP began to take over
from wood and Jack not wishing to leave wooden boats moved
to Norfolk and developed the range of kit boats now available
from Chippendale Craft. |
|
Tyrone Currie started making and selling canoes
in 1995, and expanded to include plywood dinghies and kits,
then strip canoe kits, and some class boats. Unfortunately Tyrone
developed a serious allergy to epoxy and could no longer work
in the industry. He approached Ted Bird at Chippendale Craft
and a deal was put together for Chippendale to take over the
business.
So now the increased range gives you choice for whatever your
requirements. Most of the canoe designs are copies or modern
versions of traditional canoes from the 1880's and early 1900's.
These designs are tuned to perfection, and outperform many of
today's general purpose designs.
Kits: The kits contain all the plywood and wooden parts to build
the boat. All hull panels are accurately profiled to shape.
Hardwood parts come machined to size and where possible to length
to fit. Some kits have bulkheads framed and centre board casings
and rudder stocks already assembled. All fastenings are included
as well as full building instructions.
A help line can be arranged should advice be required during
building, either by email, phone or post. |
