I owned "Biddy," gaff cutter built at Maldon 1908, from 1978 to 1984 and I have a lot of information the current owner might like. This consists of old invoices, registration documents, correspondence and the like. I have photographs of her during the eighties when we sailed round Scotland.
I tried to contact Rob Johnsey who posted a request on this web site but I have had no reply to the e-mail.
I can tell you that Biddy was bought in the late 80s (?) by Mr John Duncan of Liverpool, who did a huge amount of work on her (he found her essentially abandoned in a dock, I believe) and basically almost brought her back from boat heaven. He had her for about eleven years, and then my parents bought her in 2001.
My father did finishing off work on her (tightening up the decks and a lot of cosmetic work, rebuilding the cockpit, putting her original rig back in her with a new suit of sails) and we sailed her for two summers.
Then, due to already having a boat, and having two wooden boats was just too much trouble, we had to sell Biddy. It nearly broke our hearts, as she is an amazing boat.
We sold her to Mr Johnson, who sailed her down to Falmouth. As far as I am aware, she is still in Falmouth and owned by Mr Johnson, although they do take her out a lot in the summer, so it is possible that they are out sailing, which may explain the lack of response to your email.
Biddy holds a large piece of my heart (and a lot of other people's too from her time in the Irish Sea - she is indeed a special boat, as I'm sure you'll agree) so I'm sure the present owner will be pleased to hear from you.
I believe Biddy can be seen at the Maritime museum in Falmouth on their outside pontoon.
During the winter of 2007 she was laid up alongside my Deben 4tonner "Mary Dawn" at Martin Heards Tregatreath yard in Mylor and I sent many an admiring glance in her direction.
Wether she has now been sold to the museum or if she is on loan I do not know but I did see her there in January.
Paul.H
Biddy was based on the River Orwell in the 1950/60's. Pin Mill Sailing Club has a scale model of her in the clubhouse.
seen biddy many tines in liverpool and conwy a sight to behold