How She Came
to the Club
In early 2022, when Caper Beag was purchased by Galway Hooker Brewery, the club was invited to act as caretakers of the boat. The plan was to restore her to sailing condition and make her available for community sail training, allowing members and the wider public to experience traditional Galway Hooker sailing while keeping the boat active and well-maintained.
Restoration
and Revival
Following repair work completed by Cóilín Hernon, such as the addition of a new back beam, knees and helm seat, and a repaired stem, Caper Beag was handed over to a crew of volunteers in early June of 2022 who began with the task of removing all her old caulking, repair and cleaning seams in preparation for new Oakum. Once completed her hull, decks, spars were sanded and repainted – her spars given a distinctive black colour. Her sails were recut to suit her shortened mast and gaff and in that October, on a chilly but sunny day she was relaunched back into water at Claddagh with proud admiration of another successful revival story by our crew.
