We look after Nancy Blackett, the favourite yacht of "Swallows and Amazons" author Arthur Ransome.
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Photo: Nancy Blackett in the Tidemill

John Smith has kindly posted the photo below of Nancy Blackett in the Woodbridge Tidemill Yacht Harbour on 3rd July 2020, while awaiting suitable conditions for a late start to the sailing season.

Photos: Nancy Blackett back in the water

Nancy Blackett has at last been relaunched, and is currently moored at Robertson’s boatyard where she will be allowed time to ‘take up’ as planks adjust after months of drying out – lately in very hot weather – ashore, which has resulted in some small leaks in the hull. Peter Willis and Neil Brooks have […]

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Nancy Blackett’s relaunch plans revised

Nancy Blackett’s proposed relaunch on 2nd June has been postponed, following a test dip in the launch cradle on the previous day. This revealed two small leaks, the result of her planks drying out during her prolonged period out of the water, exacerbated by the recent hot weather. The new plan is for her to be launched next week [read more…]

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Arthur Ransome’s East Coast

  • Download the Arthur Ransome Walking Trail Map (pdf)
  • See the Selina King Exhibition at Pin Mill

    • Welcome

    You can visit and sail the Nancy Blackett, once owned by “Swallows and Amazons” author Arthur Ransome and the star of his novel “We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea”, the seventh book of his “Swallows and Amazons” series, and probably his best sailing novel.

    Nancy Blackett, lightly disguised in the book as the Goblin, was named after the “Amazon” pirate girl character who featured in “Swallows and Amazons”.

    Nancy Blackett was Arthur Ransome’s favourite yacht and is now owned by the Nancy Blackett Trust, preserving her as a living part of the Arthur Ransome heritage. Each year many Ransome fans enjoy the experience of sailing her, and many more visit her at maritime events.

    Explore our website to find out more about Nancy Blackett’s history, how you can sail her, how you can help support her, and the mission and work of the Nancy Blackett Trust.

    Nancy Blackett passes Pin Mill, June 2017.
    Photo: Bill Wallace-King.