The first Walker 12’ clinker-built Gunter Sloop was designed and built in 1954 by L H Walker Limited of Leigh-on-Sea,  Essex. Early Walker boats were made in a number of lengths from 8’ to 14’ and with many variations in fixtures, fittings, sails, rig and hulls, but it was soon clear that the 12’ Sloop, clinker built in mahogany on oak with a sliding Gunter rig, was the most popular. By 1960 the complexity of variations had resolved itself into three main forms of Boats depending on the extra features fitted to the basic hull these were:

The Popular: un-decked, galvanised fittings, no stern locker, rear side benches only.

The De-Luxe: foredeck, galvanised fittings, side benches, and stern locker

The Super: fore and side decks, stern locker, gun metal fittings and slatted seats

The boats continued to be built by Walkers until 1979 when trading ceased and the frames were destroyed, the last boats were sold in 1980.  At least 504 12’ boats were built and recorded as Tideway’s.

Since 1980 Tideways have been built by Tepco, The Watershed, The Boatyard and are currently built by Tideway Dinghies in GRP with an extensive wood fit out and by Good Wood Boat Co in traditional timber clinker. All Tideways built by an approved builder and to class specification and measurement are eligible for class membership. Tepco Dinghies were the first to produce a fibreglass version alongside the wooden boats. GRP boats were permitted into the TOA in 1993 giving the class a new lease of life and owners an additional choice.

There is a comprehensive numbering system to enable all boats to be related to their year of origin.

Generous measurement criteria allow for changes of shape through age and design variations during the early evolution of the dinghy. Variations between the Popular, De-Luxe and Super versions and between Gunter and the few Bermudan rigs make little practical difference to performance. The Plymouth Yarstick rating is held on the 2022 RYA limited data list as 1447 and although not updated since 2002 it can be used as a guide when racing against similar age boats.

– Length  12’  –  Beam  5’  –  Sail Area  77.5 sq ft –

All up weight from 250 to 320 lbs depending on model

If you are interested in buying a Tideway contact the licensed builders for new boats (links at the bottom of the page) or see the Boats for Sale page for secondhand boats