Peter Duck

I think this is a rather nice Peter Duck ketch, which came into the moorings.

I remember seeing the original on the east coast some years ago sporting a very similar colour scheme so apologies if this Peter Duck. In any event it's certainly a nice and well maintained example of the class.

Space Oddities Regatta

The theme of this year's Bursledon Regatta celebrated the 50th year of the first lunar landing.

 Above it was great to see so many visitors from out of town.

 
If you're not British and of a certain age you might not recognise the Clangers, seen here getting ready to launch.

And out on the water.

Winner of the carnival  was the Solent Shuttle, seen here with "booster crew" providing additional thrust.

Spiders from Mars had a distinct advantage padding with so many arms.

Houston we have found a great use for an old dinghy.

The cow jumping over the moon, on the port side the moon was painted black - the dark side of the moon.

I can't remember if Dr Who actually went to the moon, but he certainly has been to Bursledon regatta.

The local harbour master also joined in, although we have long had suspicions of his desire for universal dominance.

Sunset on the mud

Unlike the east coast we don't have a huge amount of mud but occasionally at low water in the right conditions it all comes together.

Rum Runner

Spotted by friend Malcolm on the pontoon at Cowes, I always thought this type of boat was called a Baby Bootlegger

Judging by my internet search there are a lot of replicas around 30 feet. The original Baby Bootlegger was designed in 1924 by George Crouch and was a Gold Cup winner.

I presume this is a replica and apologies to the owner if it isn't, either way it's magnificent and immaculate. Plans are available so if you fancy building one and just happen to have a stock of mature mahogany safely stashed away

Ghosting

Evening sail as the last zephyrs die away at the end of a perfect summer day.

Will they make it back to the dock, do they even care, no wind, no tide it will be an easy paddle back.

Opposition

Ex Morning Cloud. It's an appropriate name considering Ted Heath spent six of his ten years as leader of the conservative party in opposition.

Those of us who grew up in the 60's and 70's probably remember Mike Yarwood doing an impersonation, singing Life on the Ocean Wave, filmed allegedly under the dispatch box in the House of Commons , where all you could see were his sea boots and an anchor, as the then prime minister locked horns with Harold Wilson.

A boat from a different time, the three day week, regular blackouts and power cuts,  disruptive industrial  action across the country. Giles the political cartoonist who's often featured sailing perhaps caught the mood in 1974 with a picture from the London boat show where an obviously wealth woman asked the yacht salesman "have they taxed the wind yet"

Very typical racing yacht of its day, built by local craftsmen in wood as a one off with an enviable list of wins, great so see such a historic yacht being looked after.

Caption Contest

Never being very good at this , my first thought was Fowey Classics?

I'm sure you can do better?

Louie Wills

I've seen this restored Louie Wills 28ft (8.5m) Falmouth Quay Punt , built by WE Thomas in 1900, around the west country several times, having read about her restoration by John Fuge at Golant in Classic Boat years ago, but never before managed to get very close or take a good photo.

Here she is on her mooring upriver across from the village of Golant,  viewed from the garden of the Fisherman's Arms.

Note the Fisherman's Arms is a welcome rest stop after walking up the lovely but hilly paths from Fowey.

Folk Boat Friday

And what a nice one, I really like the raised doghouse cabin.