SPIRIT of Teignmouth organisers are remaining tight lipped about the U-turn on its admission charge.
The maritime attraction on the Den billed as a project for the community advertised free entry on early flyers.
These were doled out at Christmas previews before the official opening. But organisers say they have had 'no choice' but to charge a nominal £1.50 for adults since the grand opening on March 31. Child entry is still free. Some visitors have been angered by the charge for the attraction, which was supposed to be a visitor pull during the winter months.
Teignmouth resident Neil Robinson said that organisers have gone back on its promises. 'They have gone against everything they first promised and it is not right. 'Everyone has to look at it but we are being charged to look around it,' he said. Andy Tapper said he was 'disappointed' by the lack of progress on the trimaran.
'To my amazement, I could not see any progress at all and when I went to a preview in February, there was none that I could spot since it was originally delivered. 'They said that there would be a delay because of the weather, but seeing there has been no progress made, I am at a loss to understand what that excuse was all about,' he said.
However, visitors have been impressed with the exhibits on show. The centre aims to give people a hands-on experience of what skipper Simon Chalk will be undertaking when he sets off on his round the world voyage against prevailing conditions.
Don and June Wheatley, from Essex, said they were impressed with the project. 'We do come to Devon most years and we were a bit shocked to see the building on the crazy golf area. 'We decided to see what it was all about and it is very good and I wish him well,' said Mr Wheatley. Peter Hass and his daughter Amber, aged nine, from Torquay said that the exhibition was 'good fun.' = 'I enjoyed looking at the build and Amber liked the teddy bears.' Mr Hass said that the entry fee was reasonable.
Work is set to begin on the final components of the 68ft trimaran, Mr Chalk has announced. The completion of decks for the outriggers is the next stage.
It is expected to take about eight weeks to complete. Mr Chalk, 33, said: 'These are the last of the major components of the yacht to be built.
'It is very exciting to be making them in Teignmouth because all of the other five main components were made in South Brent out of the public eye. 'It will be great to be able to actually show people the skill and planning that goes into building a yacht of this calibre from the wooden framework right through to the final cast.' Visitors will also be treated to three new exhibits that demonstrate nautical endurance and survival. Historic ocean rowing boats, Nautica, Fin Again and In Finnegan's Wake demonstrate how boat design, materials and marine technology have evolved over the years.
Nautica is a 20ft long, one-off open ocean rowing boat designed, built and rowed by Andrew Wilson. Mr Wilson set out from Newfoundland, Canada to attempt to row single handed across the North Atlantic Ocean 26 years ago. He never reached his destination, feared lost at sea and Nautica was eventually washed up on the shoreline. Fin Again is 20ft long with a 5ft 6ins beam designed, built and rowed by Sean Crowley. He successfully completed the 2160-mile crossing in just 92 days. In Finnegan's Wake was designed by Fabian Bush and rowed by Sean Crowley and Mike Nester. The pair set out from Pacito Blanco, Gran Canaria on 14th April 1986 and arrived 73 days and 2,676 miles later in Georgetown, Guyana. Visitors to the Spirit of Teignmouth project will see the new decks take shape from the purpose built viewing gallery. The Spirit of Teignmouth Visitor Centre is open 7 days a week from 9am to 7pm.