THERE are not many boat owners that would choose to have their inaugural launch on a road, but that is just what I chose to do with my hand built 16 foot wooden gun punt named Marsh Duck. Readers of the Creeksailor book will know all about this punt, she is a John Milgate/Wyatt type punt and is no 20 of only 22 authentic gun punts that have been built.
Since building Marsh Duck a year or so ago I have longed to get her in the water. Time spent with Shoal Waters and barging has meant she had to be put aside, but high spring tides and some free time allowed a good opportunity to get some punting in. This type of punt can be sailed, rowed, paddled or poled and are ideal for pottering around the saltings on the top of a brimming tide. Gun punts are traditional hunting boats that were used on the East-Coast rivers and creeks, probably since the first gun evolved, in search of wildfowl for the table.
There has been a renewed interest in this type of punt for pleasure use and today they are built to race under sail and oar, or to cruise about the many creeks found inside the River Blackwater. For a naturalist and small-boat sailor, who is also an avid fan of our traditional working boats, owning a punt allows you to combine all three elements each and every time you venture afloat.
The extra ordinary spring tides this August were perfect for the launch. After lowering the punt from the roof-rack onto the street beside a yellow traffic line at Woodrolfe Hard the car was moved to a safer area up the road, out of the way of the advancing tide. On my return I was relieved she had no parking tickets stuck to her chine, and within minutes Marsh Duck the duck punt was floating. With waders on I stepped aboard, and like a duck to water began poling my way along the street.
A street launch. The rising spring tide soon reaches Marsh Duck for a spot of street punting
Like a duck to water, I was soon rounding the first bend in Woodrolfe Road 
Beside the yacht stores in Tollesbury. Update: very soon after this article the first loft seen behind me in this image has become The Loft tea room. The setting is unique and I recommend a visit for fine teas, cakes, sandwiches etc. The Loft is also my official 'sail by' inside the Blackwater where draft permitting you can grab a cuppa while dinghy cruising on the move. On the top of the bigger tides of course.
I was able to punt up to the old yacht stores, which are now used as offices, before heading back in a few inches of dew to cross over Woodrolfe Road and Bontins Creek to play around on the saltings, which by now were completely covered.
Crossing Bontins Creek while heading out to the saltings
The Trinity light vessel in Woodrolfe Creek
