Show the West Channel Design historyHide the West Channel Design history

Research is on-going but as far as we know work on the first West Channel One Design began at the Morgan Giles Shipyard in 1946.
This vessel was to become JULIA and she was built for Colonel Knox-Gore of Ireland.

In 1948 the yard also constructed three smaller yachts on this design, they were known as 2.5t Quay Punts, measuring 20ft in length they are just scaled down versions of the WCOD.

The two known remaining vessels are NIMBLE and SEAFARER, we currently do not have any information on the third vessel.

The original West Channel One Design which was also known as a West of England One Design was designed with the West Country waters in mind, with the strong tides and longer seas the design incorporated a transom-hung rudder and a nice spoon bow with no cut-away in the forefoot, any speed lost was more than made up for good seakeeping qualities.
Morgan Giles incorporated some aspects of the Falmouth Quay Punt in his design, hence why the range of 5 tonners were in the yard as 'Quay Punts'.

The early range of 5 tonners (Thames measurement) proved to be succesful design, equiping themselves well in local races and proving to be excellent sea boats. Naturally the yard descided to extended the design so as to build a range of larger cruisers.

According to a piece written in the Teignmouth Post in 1984 by Mr. G. K. Collyer (who started at the yard as a boy and rose to be chief draughtsman and a director) aside from the original range of 5 tonners the yard also constructed a 6 tonner, about five yachts of 7.5 and 8 tons, several of 10 tons, a 12.5 tonner and one of 17 tons.

Please scoll down to the bottom of the page to read about the original design in the F. C. Morgan Giles' own words.

The vessels

2.5 Tons
Nimble, Seafarer, Name Of Other Vessel Currently Unknown.

5 Tons (West Channel One Design)
Alata, Constance, Destiny, Falanda, Flamingo, Julia, Khojak, Kestrel, Tess Of Teign, Tilly Ii, Zeal.

6 Tons
Kaleno.

7 Tons
Sulya (Ex-Scampi), Tart.

8 Tons
Gay Galliard, Moonspray (Ex-Windspray, Ex-Westray).

10 Tons
Catherine Mary (Ex-Fern Mary), Tilly Three.

12 Tons
Tilly Witch (Ex-Fern Maryii).

17 Tons
Lissa (Ex-Meme)

Below is copied from the design supplement from Yachting Monthly in March 1946 as written by the designer himself.

West of England O-D Class, racing boat on lines of quay punt

By F. Morgan Giles, MINA

Designer's Remarks

I prepared this design as the result of the first of a series of meetings, recently held at Plymouth, of the representatives of some 18 Yacht and Sailing Clubs, to consider what steps could be taken to revive yachting in the area which stretches from Portland to Lands End. At the meeting alternative suggestions were considered for bringing into existence a One-Design Class suitable for open sea racing in West Bay ; Torbay ; Start Bay ; the Outside Course off the Salcombe Estuary ; Plymouth ; Fowey Bay and Falmouth Roads. The boat had also to be suitable for passage races between those centres. An outline specification was drafted by a Committee elected for the purpose and a number of designers were invited to submit suggestions, and my design was the one selected.

The requirements for a wholesome type of boat, as large in size as could be obtained within the price limit, which was not to exceed ?500 per boat, complete, ready for sea. It appeared to me that the obvious type of boat for the purpose, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, was an up-to-date edition of the traditional West-Country Quay Punt. The short forward overhang and transom stern make for simplicity of construction. The ample draft of the type enables displacement to be cut down, and this in turn renders possible an easily-driven hull with fine ends capable of being sailed hard in broken water with a minimum of canvas; all of which features make for economy.

As a result, I found it possible to offer a boat measuring but little short of 5-tons Thames Measurement, with room in her for a small two berth cabin with bunks 6ft. 3in. in length, ample sitting headroom under the side decks, and a clear 5ft. under coach-roof beams. There is also room forward to sleep a third hand in emergency.

A removable hatch in the short after deck will permit of any standard type of outboard being clamped on the transom, thus providing the auxiliary power so necessary for negotiating some of out tidal West Country harbour entrances, without incurring the curse and expense of a permanent inboard motor installation. At the final meeting it was agreed that this design be recommended to the Clubs for adoption and also submitted to the Y.R.A. for recognition. At this time of writing (Jan. 29), six boats have definitely been ordered and two more will be placed if delivery can be arranged to meet the prospective owners' requirements.