n/a

Current boat name

n/a

Boat class

6916

Function

Military

Type

Length (m / ft)

5.48 / 18ft

Beam (m / ft)

1.4 / 4ft 7in

Masts

one

Rig type

Lateen

Propulsion

Sail/engine

Designer

Warwick Aviation

Design date

1945

Date of build

1946

Present use

Store

The Mark 9 Powered light alloy two man military canoe was designed for use in the Far East, some versions of this craft saw service before the end of WWII. This canoe was manufactured by Boulton Paul Aircraft in 1946 as part of an order of 25. It is very similar to the unpowered Mark 7’s known to have been built by Warwick Aviation. The Boulton Paul Mk 9’s were powered by a Middy engine produced by the British Motor Boat Manufacturing Co. Originally developed as a small inboard engine driving a propeller on a right angle drive fitted through the bottom of the craft’s hull. The version used in this canoe had the right angle drive fitted inside the hull and drove the propeller through a conventional tail shaft. The Mark 9 could also be sailed or paddled. With an overall length of 18ft, its dry weight without gear and engine is 232lbs. The centre section is almost identical to that of the Mark 7 bar the bulkheads: being strengthened by raised panels.. The bow has much more sheer and flare than the Mark 7. This Mark 9 canoe is one of only two examples known to exist and is displayed in the condition that it was bought from a scrap yard for £10 some twenty three years ago by the present owner. GH Feb 2009