This single handed sailing dinghy was designed and built by Norfolk boat builders William Starling and Sons of Blakeney in 1929 for Miss Patience Hardcastle of Godalming in Surrey. She had been taught to sail by Mr. Starling whilst on holiday in Norfolk and had initially sailed in the family’s heavy boat, Teal, helmed by a local boatman, but had wanted to be more independent and to sail single handed.
Miss Hardcastle visited Norfolk for her summer holidays almost every year, sailing Seal until 1980 when, at the age of 80 she no longer felt able to handle the boat single handed. She considered Seal a superb heavy weather boat in which she could sail with confidence in the kind of winds that were causing others to capsize. The hull is built in clinker construction, with a large balanced lugsail and small bowsprit.
Dimensions
Length 4.57m
Beam 1.65m
Draft 0.3m
