Peckibus Fairey folding boat

Current boat name

Peckibus Fairey folding boat

Boat class

6942

Function

Sports and Leisure

Type

Canoe

Length (m / ft)

3.96 / 13ft

Beam (m / ft)

0.8 / 2ft 8in

Date of build

1955c

Place of build

Hayes, Middlesex

Present use

Museum/NMMC

PECKIBUS is a rare example of the Fairey Folding Boat developed C1955. During the 1950s Fairey Marine decided to build a production folding boat, a cross between a canoe, a dinghy and a punt. The company’s bold claim was that the boat was 'ingenious in design, robust in construction and yet streamlined for easy paddling'. The additional claim that the boat could be assembled in less than 5 minutes was hugely optimistic, half an hour being nearer the truth. Of plywood and waterproofed canvas construction, the boat was certainly very robust, with individual sections being bolted together and stiffened with removable bulkheads. Fore and aft shaped sections were added for better performance through the water. Additional sections were available so the boat could seat from one to four persons. There was even a rigid deck spray cover so it could be used for surf canoeing. Each of the many component parts was carefully engineered to fairly fine tolerances – using skills learned from aircraft production – and when fully assembled the result was a very rigid craft. ' In less than five minutes you can assemble the boat complete. Its accommodation is variable at will - each section is a separate compartment, so that you can assemble the boat as a single seat, a two seat or multi seat craft as you want it.' Fairey publicity leaflet. GH Sept 2012 see 1939 patent for Alan Vines a Director of Fairey Avaition. CP