Nancy Blackett

Nancy Blackett’s End of Season Round-Up

27th October 202527th October 2025

Despite a delayed season start due to necessary restoration work, and the cancellation of various planned voyages due to early autumn storms, 2025 proved a successful year for Nancy Blackett, writes Mark Taylor… May and …

Pin Mill Sailing Club and Nancy Blackett celebrate 90 years

23rd October 202520th October 2025

Pin Mill Sailing Club’s Laying-up Supper on Saturday 18th October was a doubly special occasion: it marked 90 years since the club was founded, and Arthur Ransome (one of its first members) arrived with his …

The BBC says it: Nancy Blackett saved Arthur Ransome’s literary career

11th September 2025

We all know that Arthur Ransome was complaining of ‘having run out of ideas’ and ‘not knowing where the next book was coming from’ when he was in the process of moving from Low Ludderburn …

Listen to Peter Willis’ Nancy Blackett Day interview on Radio Suffolk

9th September 2025

To mark the first Nancy Blackett Day, the 90th anniversary of Arthur Ransome’s purchase of Nancy Blackett, the Nancy Blackett Trust’s President Peter Willis and Chairman Robin Sadler were interviewed live on Radio Suffolk from …

On this day, 90 years ago – September 8, 1935 – Nancy Blackett became Nancy Blackett

8th September 2025

Although Nancy Blackett is a bit older than 90, she wasn’t always known by that name – and it was on this day 90 years ago that Arthur Ransome was introduced to this Hillyard 7-tonner …

Nancy Blackett’s ‘other birthday’

3rd September 2025

It’s fairly well-known that Nancy Blackett was launched in 1931 – but she wasn’t called Nancy Blackett then. She was built at David Hillyard’s yard in Littlehampton to one of his standard designs, as a …

John Sergeant sails Nancy Blackett

5th August 20255th August 2025

John Sergeant, respected news broadcaster and President of the Arthur Ransome Society, recently enjoyed a sail on Ransome’s own Nancy Blackett, now restored and sailing on the River Orwell. He described it as “an unforgettable …

Nancy Blackett now afloat and ready for action

14th May 2025

Nancy Blackett is now afloat and back in her berth at Woolverstone Marina – these photos were taken on Tuesday, shortly before the working party began bending on sails and loading equipment aboard. By lunchtime …

Nancy Blackett’s ready for relaunch – at last!

12th May 2025

Gleaming paintwork, immaculate varnish and fresh antifouling – after a long winter of restoration work, here is Nancy Blackett standing in Harry King’s boatyard in Pin Mill last Friday (May 9th) ready to begin the …

In photos: Peter Duck’s launch at Woodbridge

7th April 2025

As Nancy Blackett’s still in the shed we thought you’d like to see one of her friends, Peter Duck, being launched at the Woodbridge Boatyard last Thursday (3rd April). Photos by Peter Willis.

The difference a month makes – Nancy Blackett’s restoration progress

28th February 2025

Traditional boatbuilding is by its nature a slow process, much reliant on craft skills and hand tools, so checking in on Nancy Blackett’s restoration work after our last report reveals real progress. The main task …

Nancy Blackett’s midwinter in bits – again

7th January 2025

Nancy Blackett is currently having extensive restoration work carried out for the second year in succession at King’s boatyard in Pin Mill. It’s part of a phased programme which started during last year’s winter lay-up …