Wooden Drascombe Builder

John Kerr

Quote from Jane:-

"John Kerr was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1936, and at the age of 15 started a 6 year apprenticeship with R.D. Lambie & Son, Boatbuilders of Wallsend. The yard built wooden boats, mainly ship's lifeboats, and workboats for the River Tyne, Trinity House and Irish Lightships. Most clinker boats were built by eye, and John was master of this particular art, now so rare. John served 3 year's National Service in the Merchant Navy at the age of 21, before returning to Lambies, where he continued to work until the 1970's when he married and moved to Wales.

In Llandysul, Cardiganshire, John set up his own workshop, building wooden boats ranging from small clinker dinghies to ocean racing yachts, for over 20 years. Following a meeting with John Watkinson, he was one of the earliest licensed builders of the Drascombe range. John built approximately 10 Drascombe boats, many finished to the customer's exact requirements. John also carried out a refit of "Tumult", the yacht designed by John Watkinson for his brother, Dick.

John died in 2001."

Last updated: 31 October, 2006

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