Construction · Rig · Machinery · Accommodation

THE BOAT

A technical and visual guide to Meander, separating Bob Grimson's original design from later alterations where the evidence allows.

Principal particulars

Meander at a glance

Designer / builderRobert G. Grimson

Built1990–1992

LaunchedWatermouth Harbour, 1992

Length on deck37 ft / 11 m

Length overall45 ft / 13 m incl. spars in Phillips record

Beam11 ft 6 in / 3.5 m

Draft5 ft 6 in / 1.7 m

DisplacementApprox. 12 tonnes

RigGaff ketch

Current recorded engineBeta Marine 43 hp

Original enginePerkins 4.108

IdentitySSR 46501 · MMSI 235068491 · 2BQR2

Hull & deck

Ferro-cement construction

Chris Phillips's technical description records galvanised steel web frames, stringers and diagonals, covered by multiple layers of galvanised wire mesh and plastered in one operation. The ballast keel is described as solid concrete with encapsulated ballast.

The coachroof and superstructure used timber and plywood construction. This became an important maintenance area and underwent substantial repair during the Phillips refit, including replacement of coachroof sides and front and repairs to the roof itself.

Meander coachwork repair — Phillips-era coachwork repair. The image is retained as evidence of later structural maintenance rather than original construction.

Rig

A traditional gaff ketch that evolved

Meander did not retain her exact launch rig. Bob Grimson converted the original Bermudan mizzen to gaff in winter 1995 and later added a main topmast and jib-headed topsail. Chris's later technical notes identify Douglas fir main and mizzen masts.

The result is the distinctive multi-sail silhouette and reddish-brown sail plan seen in historic photographs.

Meander under sail with the evolved gaff-ketch rig.

Accommodation archive

Walking through Meander

The supplied photographs provide an unusually complete visual tour of the Phillips-era interior. They are catalogued as later interior evidence because Chris substantially altered parts of the accommodation in 2009–10.

Meander forecabin — **Forecabin.** Forward sleeping accommodation with timber joinery and storage.

Meander saloon — **Saloon.** Central living space with table, settee berths and solid-fuel stove.

Meander galley — **Galley.** Cooker, sink, worktop and fitted storage.

Meander heads compartment — **Heads.** Separate compartment with basin and storage.

Meander cockpit — **Cockpit.** Working cockpit and companionway area.

Chris Phillips at Meander's wheel — **Wheel steering.** Chris Phillips at the traditional wooden wheel.

Interpretation note: these photographs show the boat after Phillips-era accommodation changes, so they are not labelled as the untouched 1992 interior.

Machinery

From Perkins to Beta Marine

Meander's original auxiliary was a Perkins 4.108. During the Phillips-era refit it was replaced by a Beta Marine 43 hp diesel. The photographic archive records both the new engine before installation and the completed installation aboard.

Beta Marine replacement engine in shipping crate — The new Beta Marine diesel before installation.

Beta Marine engine installed aboard Meander — The replacement engine installed in Meander.

Evidence note

Why dates matter in the photographs

A vessel with more than three decades of history cannot be represented by a single “as built” photograph set. The archive therefore labels interior and technical images by era wherever possible and avoids describing later modifications as original Bob Grimson features.

Open the photographic archive