Coracle (Cwrwgl) Model

Last night I finished up the small model of a coracle that I was working on. It's about 3"x5" and fits in the palm of your hand. A tiny version of a tiny boat. I'm leaving it rough and uncanvased. Like most of the models I build, it's complete enough that I could glean info to build a full-size version later, if want should arise.

Coracles were some of the first boat types to come about. Having been made for thousands of years out of simple materials like willow and animal hides. Later being made with ash laths, calico or duck canvas and tar or bitumen paint to seal them. In Asia they are even made from woven split bamboo or put together with vertical staves like a giant wooden bucket or barrel.

I've been mildly fascinated with coracles for a few years, as well as their longer Irish cousins, the currach. Part of my family came over from Wales and Cornwall in the mid-1800s. When researching aspects of Welsh culture about the time my daughter was born, I discovered these funny little watercraft. I've been wanting to build one since, but there's only so much room in a one car garage and there's three boats in there already.