Brixham Trawler Torbay Lass. Built in1923 by R. Jackman & Sons for Alf Lovis, Torbay Lass was one of the last Brixham trawlers to be built.

Torbay Lass is currently afloat but it is becoming increasingly harder to keep on top of the leaks and sprung planks, this is why the time is crucial to get her into a drydock to stabilise her condition.

The rebuild of Torbay Lass will be managed by a lead shipwright with 6 young people getting hands on experience of rebuilding a 102-year-old wooden sailing vessel.

We understand that many trades in the traditional maritime industry such as shipwrighting, rigging and sailmaking are becoming endangered due to aging professionals, lack of funding, short supply of certain materials and a lack of recognised qualifications and training.

This is why we believe the time is crucial to train and give young people the funding and experiences they need to go out and carry on these traditional skills in the maritime industry for the future of our historic fleet.

The first steps towards achieving our goal is to provide Torbay Lass a drydock in order to stabilise her condition and stop her breaking up in the mud berth she is currently in.

One in the Drydock we can put her aging timbers back into the original shape and carry out a survey to record her original fabric and scantlings.

We can then put a full restoration plan together with funding from the HLF and other bodies as well as public support.

We are presently fundraising to raise £50,000 to purchase a lighter or steel barge to cut down and convert into a drydock with a public viewing area in which the rebuild will take place, this facility will be retained by the foundation after the restoration to enable maintenance to be carried out on the vessel and for further projects