Following the horrific weather at the time of the notorious 1979 Fastnet Race, when some conventional liferafts were reported as not performing well, Jock set about designing a 'tent' for the Tinker inflatable to transform it into a form of lifeboat. These lifeboats were accepted as valid lifeboats by the RORC to be used in transatlantic and other races and have proved their worth on several occasions.
The foundation of an owner's club was suggested by Jock's advertising adviser as a PR exercise and has since flourished.
It was at a Birmingham show that we suddenly became aware that Tinkers, being collapsible, were being bought by a number of caravanners. Jock began to attend other camping/caravan shows and was encouraged by the immediate interest.
The TCOA has grown beyond all expectations. Our first active meet was on the Beaulieu River where the mothership was our 40ft ketch, Wild Wing. The next was in Wales at Llangorse Lake and from then on the rallies flourished, and Jock was always overwhelmed by their success. We have had a series of excellent commodores, each bringing his own style to the task and becoming very good friends.
In the early days Jock used all the boat shows available to publicise and market his products, enlisting the services of existing enthusiastic boat owners to be his salespersons. In this way we have spent hours and days enjoying the company and friendship of many boat owners and were particularly comforted and touched by their presence, kindness, and eagerness to help when Jock suffered his first stroke at the London Boat Show.
Brian trialling the Super Tramp
In all the later years Jock was assisted most ably by Brian Pilcher in taking over the publicity and placing Tinker articles in national boating magazines. He also helped in organising the boat shows and he and Gill (Travelogue magazine editor) came with us to the shows in Annapolis where we sold a good many boats and had a lot of fun.
Jock's dedication to making his business a success was illustrated by the tremendous effort and hard work he put into the job but as his health began to let him down he reluctantly decided, in 1990, that it was time to sell the business. He was fortunate to find buyers in Chris Hornidge and David Brettell and the company, Henshaw Inflatables Ltd. has since grown steadily, developing the rigid boat business and employing more staff. They are still producing Tinkers which prove popular in their various roles of tender, sailing dinghy and survival craft.
Our two daughters and I have taken great pride in Jock's achievements, realising only latterly perhaps, the tremendous courage and determination which was required to introduce and expand a range of boats which pushed far beyond the design-and-construction expectation of the early 80s and which is now recognised worldwide for unique versatility and performance.
