MULDONICH - A lovely G L WATSON yawl, BASED ON ALBERT STRANGE’s venture.

 

Muldonich has impeccable credentials. I wrote a little bit about her in Classic Boat, No. 237, March 2008, in my article on the restoration of Venture.

Dr D K Chalmers, who had owned Albert Strange’s last design, Venture,  around 1930 sold her and then commissioned G L Watson & Co to obtain her lines as the basis for a new yawl to be called Muldonich. She was built at Oban that year. By an extraordinary coincidence, Muldonich appeared on the River Blackwater while I was in the middle of the Venture restoration. I knew of Muldonich, but never expected to set eyes on her, let alone have the opportunity to acquire her. 

Muldonich.                       Photo:  courtesy of G L Watson & Co

Venture is a thoroughbred yawl, hull shape matched perfectly with rig. With only a 22ft WL, she will nevertheless progress into a strong wind and head sea under jib and mizzen with a sure and easy motion. Every advantage that the yawl rig should present, she has. Whether Chalmers regretted selling her, or felt there was scope to improve her model even further, I don’t know. But Muldonich is a very close sister, and holds the promise of wonderful sailing, single-handed or two-handed, with an occasional berth in the focsle. She is a shade beamier than Venture, but as with Venture, it is much the best to think of her, not as a narrow 29 footer, but as long and graceful for her beam of 7ft 6in.

 

Muldonich looking smart in a later cutter rig. (there is always someone who thinks a yawl is “a good cutter spoiled’. In Muldonich’s case, I would bet it is truly the other way round.



Photo:  courtesy of G L Watson & Co

 
 

The pictures below were all taken in 2012. You will notice that, like Spartan, the end of Muldonich’s counter has been clumsily repaired at some point. She retains her original cabin, and much of her interior, as well as that lovely sheer line.

Some good quality fittings and interior joinery aboard Muldonich. Such details indicate the style and quality required in a proper restoration.

Muldonich, showing off the  long sweep of her forefoot. She is now safe from the chainsaw and bonfire, and with a proper cover, from further deterioration. She now awaits a good clear-out, survey and appraisal by myself, and the vision of a new owner who can appreciate the huge potential for enjoyment she can offer.    

For further inspiration, may I suggest you look at the page on Venture?

Muldonich the last time she was afloat, in the summer of 2003

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