The sloop Marila, a small craft of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Sloop Marila

Date built:
circa 1895

Builder:
unknown

Length:
7.3 metres (24')

Breadth:
179 cm (70.5")

Depth, centreboard up:
64.8 cm (25.5")

Place Built:
Possibly Chester or Tancook Island

Propulsion: Sail, sloop rig

Designer:
unknown, traditional

Type of Construction:
Carvel planking over steam bent frames

Acccession Number:
M89.35.1

Marila is one of the oldest boats in the Museum collection. She was probably built near Chester or on Tancook Island as a fishing sloop. Anthony Keasby bought her in 1928, changed her rig and sailed her for pleasure until 1946. She was then stored until 1989 when she was donated to the Museum

We have restored Marila as a pleasure yacht. Her appearance and colour were extensively researched with Mr. Keasby before the work was undertaken. The high mast, gaff rig and sails are much larger than her rig as a fishing craft. The triangular iron centreboard is typical of boats in the region. Beach stones would probably have served as ballast when sailing in heavy winds.

Marila was named after a species of duck, the Greater Scaup, Aythyia marila - a bird which provided names for Mr. Keasby's other boats.

The Museum recently built a replica of Marila.
Come have a look.


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