Traditional Work

The butty on the left had its main cabin side planks replaced by MERLIN and was then painted and decorated. Much harder work than modern steel boats but a nice change when it comes.

The boat was repainted and decorated to the original style. When the paint work around the back of this boat was sanded down much of the original work came to light. With careful drawings of the patterns and styles uncovered the boat was restored to close to the original condition. The signwriting is very close in size and style to that originally used.

This boatman's cabin was decorated in traditional style by Merlin. The walls were scumbled and decorated with arrangements of roses. The fold-down table shows the traditional castle motif.

Every boat needs a Buckby can. This can has been deorated in colours sympathetic to the boat and has the boat name painted around the waist.