Welcome aboard. Maria CK21 is a traditional Essex sailing smack, built in Rowhedge on the River Colne in 1866, and sailing out of Brightlingsea.
Climb aboard and discover more about her.
Maria CK21 is probably the most traditional Essex fishing smack sailing today. Originally built at the Harris yard in Rowhedge in 1866, she underwent a four-year rebuild and was re-launched at St Osyth Boatyard on 20 May 2007.
Narrower than most smacks of her size, she always had a reputation as a fast boat, and that’s a reputation that her skipper and owner, Paul Winter, has maintained with many wins on the smack racing circuit. Maria also goes stowboating – fishing in the traditional style.
In her time, Maria has been worked hard as a fishing boat, got so rotten 8ft was cut from her stem, been a houseboat in Holland and rigged as a schooner with mock gun ports – but now, apart from her modern sails and an echo sounder, she would be instantly recognisable to her original owner, Mr Gunn of Wivenhoe.
To find out more about Maria’s rebuild and history, click here. Thanks for looking in, and give us a wave if you see Maria sailing around the Essex Coast.
Maria in figures
- LOA inc bowsprit: 67ft
- Waterline length: 39ft
- Beam: 10ft 8in
- Draught: 5ft 10in
- Sail area (working): 1250 sq ft
- Sail area (racing): 2,000 sq ft
- Running sail: 1,000 sq ft
- Displacement: 20 tons