Kilsby needs a slipper!

Beware of the soggy bottom

Like many wooden bottomed historic boats, Kilsby is a bit leaky down there. The team at Tooley's historic boatyard in Banbury have suggested a program of works to water tighten the hull, and ensure she is robust enough to withstand the fun times planned for her when she returns to Oxford.

Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life

The plan is to encapsulate the bottom of the hull in a steel 'slipper', preserving the original 1912 structure within and stabilising the boat. No more soggy bottom.

Kilsby will be dry docked next week (19th April), independently surveyed, and measurements taken for the slipper.

Like an epic trip to Clarks.

If the shoe fits

If the shoe fits, and it will, because Jamie at Tooley's will painstakingly weld every last inch, the slipper will last decades. It will take 8 weeks in the dry dock to make this ginormous shoe, but when it's done, Kilsby, with a little bit of ad hoc carpentry and some enthusiasm, will be able to host a show or two! She will be far from finished, but she will be safe, sound and ready to party.

What's the catch?!

Big slippers for old boats don't come cheap. Good job we only need the one.
We are working hard to locate suitable grants to make this happen and will be launching a public campaign to reach our final fundraising target in the summer.

How can volunteers get involved?

There will be opportunities for hands-on involvement during the dry-docking, assisting the Tooley's team with the blacking of the hull, and we'll be looking for volunteers to document the fabrication of the slipper; taking photos, making tea and writing little bloglets like this.

In the immediate future, volunteer involvement at a virtual community meeting on 29th April will be hugely appreciated. We’d love to see you there… Details of how to attend the meeting HERE!