The concept of the Northumbrian 10'6" came from the need to have a sturdy and very seaworthy small working dinghy which could be rowed, sailed and motored easily and which would weigh no more than 70 lbs or so. She also had to have a striking appearance and on looking around at some of our traditional working craft, l revisited drawings that l had done some while ago of Yorkshire Cobles These Cobles were used for fishing and foying (tending shipping) in the rugged conditions of the NE coast and North Sea. She retains the generous freeboard and high stem of the Yorkshire Cobles along with their shapely well raked transoms, tumblehome and striking reverse sheer line.

This 10'6" x 4'3" version will have a simple lug rig with a centreboard. The first boat went together in around 30 hours - from marking out the hull panels to epoxy coating and cost approximately £300 using a good quality 5 ply Marine Plywood, Douglas Fir and WEST epoxies.

The example is by Anthony Waller.