The Whitstable oyster yawls operate in the Thames estuary. Although sheltered from the South round to the West, there is a long fetch from the North and East and storms from that direction can be violent.

The water is shallow over the oyster beds and small but hardy craft are used, sailed by only a couple of adults and sometimes also a boy.

In this section we are building resources on:

• Sails and rig
• Hull and construction
• The lines for model makers
• Our conservation work