Hull:

• "Tela" class Edwardian daysailer, based on the lines of a Pilot Cutter's boat. Moulded by Penryn Bridge Boat Yard, Cornwall, in 1993. Plumb stem, wine-glass transom.

• LOA 16' 6", LWL 16' 0", beam 5' 6", draught 1' 11", displacement 0.5 ton (5.1 x 4.9 x 1.7 x 0.6 m, 500 Kg ).

• GRP, white, varnished ply deck and interior, wheel steering, short canvas canopy.

• Fitted out as steam launch 1994 by first owner David Ayers. Currently being rebuilt by present owner.

Engine:

• (To be fitted 2004). Built 2000-01 by owner using Cyril Taylor's T1 castings.

• Single cylinder, double-acting, 2½" bore x 2½" stroke on four turned columns.

• Stephenson Link Reversing Gear.

• 5-blade fabricated SS propeller, 16" x 22½". 1" SS shaft with ball-bearing thrust plate and two auto-type CV joints.

Boiler:

• (To be fitted 2004). Lune Valley 2-drum WT. Built 1992 by Roger Cadogan. Steel drums 6" od, 20" long. 17 copper tubes, 7/8" od. 150 psi., hs 7.5 sqft. with economiser and keel condenser. SS funnel. Originally parafin fired and fitted in Punch and Judy 1994-96.

History:

• Fitted out 1994 by first owner David Ayers. Called Rockabill.

• Originally fitted with Ayers designed and built 2½" x 3" single cylinder engine and Ayers designed and built Roberts 3-drum WT boiler.

• Hull bought without engine or boiler by current owners in December 2001 and renamed Firedance.

Further details:

• Rockabill is mentioned in Funnel magazine issues:
  82, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 96, 99, 101, 103, 104, 105, 107, 111, 112

• Further pictures of Rockabill are available on the SL Elpenor website.

• Sister-ship in steam - Black Pig. See SBA Steamboat Register.

• The "Tela" hull is now built by Salterns Boatyard, Bursledon, Hants. (See a sailing version at Classic Marine).