JOHN CLARIDGE BOATS
MODERN CLASSICS
LYMINGTON PRAM
SPECIFICATION
Length: 14'4" (4.42m)
Beam: 6' (1.83m)
Draft (c/b down): 3'6" (1.09m)
Mainsail: 95 sq ft (8.8m²)
Jib: 30 sq ft (2.78m²)
Spinnaker: 97sq ft (9.02m²)
The original much loved Lymington Pram was designed and built by Lymington boat builder Dan Bran in 1922 specifically as a class boat for the Lymington Yacht Club. It was rigged with a single Gunter rigged main positioned well forward in the boat. This was later changed to the then very modern Bermudan rig and a small jib was sometimes used. Actually it is not a Pram at all having a very attractive stem, similar to the Scow, which of course is not really a Scow as we know it, but anyway for whatever reasons this is what they were called.
The Class increased between the wars with sometimes more than twenty racing and even after it was largely replaced by the X boat and other more modern designs, the fact that it was so stable, roomy and seaworthy, made it an ideal dinghy for cruising round the Solent, indeed many of today's more mature helms, have fond memories of messing around in Prams.
Unfortunately many of the old boats have disappeared, but now thanks to Mr. Abbot and Mr. Clayton, who are enthusiastic and experienced Pram owners, the Pram has been revitalised.
We have experimented with various rigs and equipment, and got as many people to try it as possible, in order to establish what would be the definitive production boat, finally settling on a Gunter Rig with ultra-light carbon fibre spars, which has the advantages of an efficient traditional looking rig and is easy to handle and maintain. With its oiled teak gunwale thwart coamings and trim it has been described in both looks and performance as a cross between a Scow and an XOD, and being both light and stable she can be either moored afloat, or kept ashore.
PLEASE TALK TO JOHN TO ARRANGE A TEST SAIL!
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