Tarka is a 18ft Sea Otter, a Canoe Yawl built in 1998 by boat builder David Moss of Skipool Creek, Lancashire. Buit in 15ft, 18ft and 21ft along waterline, this variation with a raised deck she is all wood, hull consisting of horizontal strips of softwood that is encased by hardwood strips laid diagonally. She is exceptionally strong build around thick frames built onto a heavy keel. David Moss is a first class boat builder, a real craftsman and his boats are famously well designed and crafted to the highest standard.
Weighing around 1400kgs it is not a lightweight vessel as small boats go, but can still be trailered to many sailing locations with the right vehicle. With draft of 1ft 11in (centre plate up) and beam on 6ft 1in she can navigate a standard canal effortlessly. A small inboard diesel engine propels her along when canal cruising or when wind falls during sailing expeditions on rivers or lakes. The wooden main mast and mizzen are light enough to be raised or lowered by hand in order to pass under bridges or through tunnels.
Originally called Trudie, and with an identical sister called Chiggo, this boat was renamed Puffin sometime in it’s history, and then again to Tarka when I became it’s custodian.
Small Boat Voyages 