An innovative fundraising drive by the RNLI has produced a £5,000 prize and a perfect example of how to get into boating without breaking the bank.
Thanks to some dedicated volunteers and the generosity of the Marine Trades Association and numerous marine companies, a £5 raffle ticket at this year’s London Boat Show could win you a restored 5.8m (19ft) keelboat, lifejackets, oilskins and even some RYA training.

After three months’ work, the Hunter 19, Barangoola, which had lain unused for several years, has been brought to life thanks to the hard work of several RNLI volunteers and donations from the industry adding up to £5,000. The Marine Trades Association has negotiated a spot at the show right next to the Main Stage in the North Hall to sell tickets. The money raised will go towards the Burnham-on-Crouch floating boathouse appeal and one lucky winner at the end of the show will drive away with Barangoola on a roadworthy trailer, plus a set of oilskins, lifejackets and £400 of RYA training.

‘We just wanted to show that boat ownership need not break the bank,’ says project manager David Lewin. ‘Obviously we’ve done a year’s work in three months but it is a cost-effective way to get into boating.’

 The boat is reportedly progressing well. The team’s last blog, dated the 11th December, describes the final effort: ‘The final push
really starts on Monday when Dave Nicholls starts on all the
standing and running rigging. There’s going to be lots of wire and
string about the shed so we need to be careful where we walk. The
electrics are nearly installed with an impressive 85AH battery
where the port quarter berth used to be, powering the NASA Clipper
Duet depth/log, a masthead light and two interior lights, all wired
through a switch panel and circuit breakers.

We still have the cabin top layout to finish.
If we are to do this job properly as a modern boat, all controls
should be led back to the cockpit, so we decided we needed a couple
of small winches behind Barton jammers and halyard organisers.
We’ve chosen Harken No.6 winches for this because they were smaller
than the Barton items and so less bulky when leaning across the
cabin top. We also need to ascertain what sort of turning blocks we
need at the base of the mast to get an even lead to the organisers.
Still, I’m sure we’ll sort all this out very quickly once we see
the mast up.

The sails are currently being valeted by
Lonton and Gray Sailmakers but are in remarkably good condition
having been little used and stored for the last 6 years or so, as
Barangoola sported a cut down Dragon rig for a while using other
sails.

Earlier this week we were contacted by Becky Mullins, the
grandaughter of the first owner who has been able to fill in all
the gaps in the boat’s provenance. Barangoola was bought new in
1973 by the late Jack Mullins who sold it to his son, Chris
Mullins. The boat then went to Ian Hands, Phil Thompson, Mike
Miller, Rupert Brown, Tony Lacey, the British Marine Federation and
then…..it could be you!

We sincerely hope all the previous owners will
come and visit us at the Show.

So as you can see, we’ve managed a huge amount
but still have a bit to do. We’ll get there and like Cinderella,
Barangoola will go to the ball. All we want now is for you to come
and see how you can go Boating on a Budget. We spent £4,974 in
resurrecting a wreck and she looks stunning. Oh, and we want a
fiver off you too! See you there!’