No. 1 Whimbrel

Built:- 1953, by Jack Drew

Owner: Nigel Daniel

One of the three original existing boats, built in 1953 by Jack Drew and based on his clinker built dinghy Curlew.  Fortunately Whimbrel has been preserved in her original condition and has had only minor repairs though out her life.

Whimbrel was purchased by Nigel Daniel in July 1983 from Rene Drew, Jack’s widow. The boat had been stored in the Drew’s hut on Axmouth beach for some years and had been preserved in immaculate condition. After a quick dusting off she ready to go. The intention had been to take a prospective purchaser out on a trial sail, however conditions were a little boisterous and the sale did not proceed. Nigel realised the opportunity was too great to let the boat go, so promptly reported to Rene that she had a purchaser after all!

For a number of years Whimbrel was the only A.O.D. in sailing commission, then in 1999 her lines were taken in order to build Shearwater, the first new A.O.D. launched in 2000.

In 2008 the internal hull was striped back to bare wood – a pains taking job by Mark Jenkins (Spoons) of Exmouth, who then did a superb job in re-varnishing her. The outside hull was stripped back in 2013 in preparation for her 60th anniversary, Tim Combe applied the final coats of varnish – producing an amazing finish. She continues to be regularly sailed on the Axe.

In the winter of 2026 Whimbrel headed down to Peter’s yard at Bodinnick. The centre board case had become an issue with a persistent leak, it was time to rectify it. Peter carefully removed the main thwart and then removed the case. This revealed some rot in its base and a section of the port garboard. Very neatly, Peter cut out the lower section of the case and seamlessly glued on a new base. At the same time the midship section of the port garboard was replaced, plus a few ribs. Peter’s work was remarkable, she doesn’t leak a drop – even through the long hot summer of ’26 – not bad for a 73 year old boat!