The Story Behind Alvey’s Boat Project Codename
When John Gowing decided to design a boat, he knew it would be small, tough and ready for anything. Qualities that immediately brought to mind his beloved dog Skippa, a loyal and near constant companion.
A Schipperke, Skippa would go everywhere, accompanying the family on many a fishing trip, where he would balance on the gunwale and keep a close eye on John’s technique when he reeled in dinner.
John jokes that Skippa was more than a pet; he was also the ideal marriage counsellor; never at rest unless John and his wife were both nearby.
Always ready, whether it's protection from threats or analysing angling skills.
Photo courtesy of the Gowings family.
THE STORY BEHIND THE BREED
Being on water is second nature to this breed and goes back centuries.
Originally bred to hunt rats in the aftermath of the Black Plague, their boundless energy, compact frame, deceptively deep bark and protective nature made them ideal companions for another purpose; boating. They became a mainstay of Belgian barges, where space was a premium, rodents a problem, and canal moorings made for an easy target at night.
Their popularity on water lead to their nickname The Little Captain, and their effectiveness as both ratter and guard quickly helped them transition from ship to shore, as Belgian shop owners used them to keep their premises vermin free and prevent stock from disappearing after they locked up.
The modern breed hasn’t changed too much. They are prized for their energy, commitment, agility and capability.
THE SKIPPA PROJECT
Which brings us back to the boat prototypes.
It will be compact, reliable, go all day without fuss and even if you don’t catch a thing (unlikely with an Alvey), you’re happy to have it around. Naming them in honour of a beloved “Little Captain” is the perfect fit.
What the boat will not do is marriage counselling. For that, you might want to get an actual dog. Or at the very least, matching rod and reel setups.