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Worldwide Classic Boat Show Presentation – Tom Cunliffe & Traditional Boats of Northern Europe
All Videos » Sea Stories, Maritime History, & Biography
October 30, 2021
Master seaman and storyteller treats us to yarns about some of the amazing people and boats he’s come across in his life’s travels.
To learn more about is Off Center Harbor Guide Tom Cunliffe you can visit his website or his YouTube Channel.
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Aren Carpenter says:
Well this was such a great deal of knowledge crammed into a short space my head’s still reeling… for the second time! Tom is a national treasure and thank you Steve and Tom for getting him on a clip that surely will rest in the archives of of every maritime museum one day.
He can get our youth inspired and moving.Not so many left like that.Thank you Tom Cunliffe!
John Hodson says:
What a most informative and enjoyable video, Tom at his finest!
Many thanks to all.
David Wilson says:
Off Center Harbor has done some great videos, but this one is the best. Thanks to Mr. Cunliffe for taking the time to share from his tremendous fund of knowledge about boats, builders and life. Thanks to you guys for putting it out there. Makes an old man want to go back to the sea.
Simon Houlder says:
Tom is an English legend, all you need to do is buy and absorb his printed wisdom, i.e. books! then go out on the sea and DO IT!
Robert Sherrell says:
Anyone who was struck by Tom’s final comments about living with and facing up comfortably with the uncertainty of celestial navigation and dead reckoning might enjoy “A Field Guide to Getting Lost” by Rebecca Solnit. Its more terrestrial and philosophical than marine and technical, but its investigation of the value of exploring, in all its meanings, shares some territory with Tom’s comments in this video. Really enjoyed this!
Robert Sherrell says:
Anyone who was struck by Tom’s final comments about living with and getting comfortable with the uncertainty of celestial navigation might enjoy “A Field Guide to Getting Lost” by Rebecca Solnit. Its more terrestrial and philosophical than marine and technical, but its investigation of the value of exploring, in all its meanings, shares some territory with Tom’s comments in this video.
Robert Sherrell says:
Anyone who was struck by his final comments about living with and getting comfortable with the uncertainty of celestial navigation might enjoy “A Field Guide to Getting Lost” by Rebecca Solnit. Its more terrestrial and philosophical than marine and technical, but its investigation of the value of exploring, in all its meanings, shares some territory with Tom’s comments in this video.
Dave Giddings says:
Brilliant. I concur with a having a full Keel. I do not wANT TO GO CRUISING IN ANYTHING ELSE. I love the idea of heaving too. I have a full keeled 0 ft Clansman which is very much the same profile of an Elizabethan 29.
Great se boats and I can still race in Sydney Harbour give them a run for their money. Very inspiring. If ever in Sydney Australia, look me up. We have some great cruising grounds, besides racing. Drives@optusnet.com.au
Charles Aiken says:
This site goes so much deeper than I ever expected. Thank you and God bless.
Chuck
Kamin Lambertson says:
This was great! We all need inspiration at times, to continue as “citizens of the village” as he described everyone he talked about over 55 years of sea going in traditional boats. Quite revealing as to what’s out there in W Europe. Great presentation.. not a dry eye indeed. Now get busy and back to what you were doing with a thought about passing on what you know.
ron godwin says:
I was brought up in Netley Hampshire (England!) just up Southampton Water from the Hamble River mouth, and rowed around the J class boats in the Hamble.
Tom’s reminiscence confirmed I had;nt imagined it in the 1950 era,now in Australia and some 60 + years later.
Thank you Tom a remarkable tale.
Ron Godwin
Ginny Jones says:
As always it is such a privilege to see and listen to Tom. Tom, aided and abetted by his wife Ros, puts his heart and soul as well as passion into wonderful videos, journalism, and the practical books that are available from his pen. His talks and lectures are even better because he is such a charismatic person.. I particularly like the clip from JOLIE BRISE — the kids have such an amazing, transformatiive experience. The chances are that they, or some of the kids in various boat building classes. or Ash on GROWLER will grow up as a very special and finer person for their somewhat unconventional experiences, Please note that there isn’t a cellphone/smart phone and barely any digital devices in sight!
Thanks for an absolutely superlative Sunday night movie!
Ginny Jones says:
This absolutely exudes the pure joy of sailing not to mention some of the trauma…………..
Thank goodness that Tom takes the occasional swing at some of the absolutely plug ugly and miserable boats which seem to be on the ascendancy. He spoke at length about the necessity for good sea berths and he mentioned fiddles but did not go further. Any boat without proper sea berths and decent fiddles as well as carefully placed and installed grab rails on deck and below is a misery to sail as well as dangerous!
Ward Fay says:
That was golden! Well done Off Center Harbor for bringing Tom Cunliffe across the Atlantic for a few hours. He has always been a central figure in the wooden boat world. His articles in the middle of Classic Boat Magazine have been worth the subscription price. Usually we see articles about how to build and repair the boats. Cunliffe tells us how to use them, and why. His combination of experience and eloquence is definitive. Many thanks!
Lansing Hays says:
This film is the best thing I have seen from Off Harbor. Wow, his knowledge is humbling. Well done, guys. In a perfect world I’d get to stand some watches with this guy, or share some rum below after a passage roaring down channel in an English rain.