Making the trailer Mourne Goblin was bought in 2001 from Gavin Clarke who lived at Bettyhill on the North coast of Scotland so before I could collect her a trailer was needed. I obtained the plans from the Association and then began to look for a suitable donor trailer to convert. Luck was with me and at the first farm sale that I went to I obtained one. My best buddy then welded up the frame whilst I made the chocks.

In the shed Once the trailer was completed it was up to Scotland (via Derbyshire to collect a Land Rover to tow everything with). We arrived late on Friday and retired to the pub to discuss tactics. Gavin had bought her about five years earlier and had spend many hours stripping her back and making good some rotten areas, in order to do this and keep the rain off he had built a shed around her. Our discussions concluded that the best way to lift her was using a chain block and some strops hanging from a couple of wooden frames.

Up she goes Next day bright and early we began the big lift slowly the boat began to rise first the bow was raised a couple of feet chocked and the chain block moved to the stern to raise that it took about 9 hrs to raise her high enough to push the trailer under her and secure her for the road. Once back in Yorkshire I needed to take stock of the work that would be needed to be done.

what a project The cockpit was non-existant, the engine was in a bucket as were all the fittings very much a giant jigsaw with no picture to follow. I was fortunate to have the use of a large barn in which to work. I needed to decide on the best plan of attack do I just stick the fittings back on to the hull as she stood or do I strip her down further to make sure that there was no rot hiding under the paint and Cascover I chose the latter.This meant that I had many hours of sanding in front of me, the use of the barn was a godsend as it meant that I could make as much mess as I wanted each day without the need to constantly sweep up. 

Restoration - stripped and ready to paint Restoration - coat of epoxy Ready to tow Mourne Goblin off the Isle of Arran   Coniston Water