Surf Boat

During the Second World War, surf boats were used to stealthily reach secret rendezvous points in occupied France and Norway.  The surf boats were specially designed to ride the waves, steering by using a sweeping or sculling oar.

This Admiralty pattern surf boat saw service on the survey ship HMS Vidal; she was sold out of service and came into the ownership of the Maritime Work shop at Gosport who donated it to the Trust in 1994.

Boat Stats

Build details

Beach landing craft

Length Overall

14ft 3in

Beam

5ft

Draft

9in

Displacement

400lbs

Engine

Sculling oar.

Construction

Double diagonal mahogany.

Date Built

1960

Boat Yard

Unknown - no identification marks.

Supported by:

Supported by Regional Growth Fund