Happy New Year

Whether you're spending New Year with friends.

Or on your own.

Have a good one and a great 2017.

Merry Christmas

I had planned to use a picture of the lobby pot Christmas tree but fellow blogger Steve beat me to it, so here are some seasonal waves and lets hope storm Barbara passes by safely over the holiday.

Whatever you're doing over Christmas have a great time.

Open 5.70

I've always liked the Group Finot designed Open 5.70 since I first saw one in Le Sables D'Olonne back in the late 1990's. For some reason despite active fleets in Europe and the US it's not really taken off in the UK, well at least around the Solent. Apologies and please let me know if there's a fleet near you, I'd love to come for a sail.

The Group Finot site describes the Open 5.70 as "solid, simple, transportable, unsinkable, hardly capsizable," which is a great description.

Seems to me that the Open 5.70 would make a great boat for beginners and experienced racers who are too old for a skiff, but still want to have a blast sailing and without having to deal with a larger boat's disadvantages.

Maybe in the UK the popular SB3 (now the SB20) took that spot. Perhaps it's just me but I don't seem to see so many of those around these days.

Anyway an Open 5.70 in bright pink might just be the mid life crisis present I need right now.

Winter Weekend Away

A winter, west country weekend away for Mrs BB's birthday and for once some fine, if cool and breezy weather.

First stop for breakfast was Lyme Regis, great bakery/deli in the high street and a walk along the deserted beach. I've previously thought Lyme was a bit run down, but with the sun out and the cold clean air it was really nice with lots of new cafes and restaurants down near the Cobb, the harbour and location from the film The French Lieutenant's Woman.

Lunch time stop was at Looe for pasty's and yet another walk on another beach.

Then down to Bodinnick ferry and the short crossing to Fowey.

The river moorings were completely empty in complete contrast to the summer's bustling and busy scene.

And up to the top of the hill where Fowey Hall Hotel sits majestically with views or the estuary and a welcome with roaring fires in the lounges. It's a great family hotel with kids club, games room, pools and spa.

Le Tsarevicth

I mentioned Le Tsarevicth previously, but decided she's worthy of her own post.

No information about her history, but she's in fine shape and rather lovely.

Enjoy.

Some people like sailing

And other folk just like working with their boats. Who knows, the owner of this day boat, which I think is a Morton Explorer 18 (thanks to Brian for assistance with identification - see comments), may be a keen sailor but the evidence is he sure likes working on his boat.

An unusual figurehead graces the stem.

More bright work and decoration in the interior, I can't decide if those side benches are uncomfortable of just look it. Either way there's a lot to admire and a lot to varnish.

Even the keels are decorated.

Early morning run

With the winter solstice fast approaching days are short and despite the early morning run getting rather less early it's still quite dark until well after 7.00AM, especially so being nearly miles further west than normal.

That didn't deter the ladies gig team from getting out on the water early on a cold Saturday  with a chilly easterly blowing down the river.

Further along the almost deserted high street I had to stop by this interesting shop selling old ship's lighting and paraphernalia.

Great run, some steep hills and a fantastic breakfast waiting at Fowey Hall when I got back.

Yawl boat?

There seems to be some debate as to the origin and description of a Yawl, undoubtedly it's a two masted craft, the name of which may or may not have evolved from the Dutch Jol or Scottish Yole.

The position of the mizzen mast astern of the rudder is said to differentiate a yawl from a ketch (also twin masted), but it's hard to see how that might be achieved on a transom hung rudder with no counter.  In US naval speak a yawl boat might refer to a rowing boat that rests in davits at the stern of a ship.

Whatever the description this is one pretty, open boat, about 16 to 18 feet long, given the absence of a boom, it may well be log rigged with a bumpkin or sprit for the mizzen. I'd like to see it under sail.

Seen on a mooring at Keyhaven.