I've always had a soft spot for Nigel Irens Roxanne and Romilly designs, this one looks to the the smaller of the two the 22 foot Romilly.
The classic hull shape is simply lovely and easily driven with the inevitable restriction on interior space, but as a day sailer and weekender big enough - think lightweight camping.
I'm not especially a fan of sailing and cruising travel books, they all start off well but they eventually and perhaps inevitably set into a repetitive pattern . No matter how daunting and epic the voyage there are only some many times I want to read about "setting the spitfire stay-sail and had whisky in my tea"
Not so with Ken Duxbury's account of sailing an open Drascombe from Greece back to the UK, the writing moves along quickly, not too much nautical detail but enought to demonstrate the authenticity of the Duxbury's experience.
I first read the book back in the 1980's thinking what a wonderful boat to go off adventure cruising in. In the 1990's I met a couple who had spent 6 weeks cruising the western isles of Scotland in an open Drascombe but somehow life and lack of motivation have always got in the way which is a poor excuse.
These days Igor Stropnik is showing what fantastic adventures can be had in small boats, as does Log of Spartina linked from this blog, so the only thing stopping us is ourselves.
More from 1980's Practical Boat Owner, that looks like Horta with Pico in the distance.
Back in 1998 we were approaching the island of Faial in the Azores archipelago some 24 days out from the British Virgin Islands, all the sailing instructions had warned that we should have capacity for 150Nm or so motoring in the light winds caused by the Azores high.
In the event we scooted along the southern coast of Faial and sailed right into the outer harbour of Horta before dropping the sails and coming alongside at the customs office.
The islands are probably a great place to explore by boat, but after over a year living on board we became marina dwellers while we were there taking buses around the island and the ferry over to nearby Pico.
With direct flights now available from the UK and air B&B's on the island it would be a great place for a holiday even if sailing there isn't a practical proposition.
Weston 2nd fleet (apparently we're not supposed to use the term fast and slow fleets any more) comprised mostly Lasers
The start line was just off the clubhouse due to recent fire damage to the race hut
One of the marks in the clear air and some tide out in Southampton water and a sparking sea on this fine day, things can get a little wild on occasions but still relatively protected water
Judging by the crowds who took to the shoreline between Hill Head and Lee on Solent enjoying a sunset while the temperature was still up in the high 20's
A balmy evening during the recent heatwave was perfect for a joint sailing try out, Hamble River SC provided the boats and instructors to take local cub scouts sailing.
The wind was very light but enough to get around, a lot easier for the Opi's but the bigger boats managed pretty well. Definitely no danger of a capsize or crash gibe which are probably the most off putting experiences for beginners.
I can't resist a walk around at Keyhaven and especially not having been over there for a few months it was a good opportunity to see if there were any new and interesting boats.
Above a very tidy and practical harbour launch, great for fishing, picnics around teh harbour or even setting a few lobster pots.
Not new to Keyhaven but very tidy Drascombe Scaffie 14'9" double ender , simple and seaworthy which seems like an ideal boat for exploring the western Solent.
Not typically taken by motorboats but this example seemed very practical, called the Coastworker 210 looks to be a fast, stable and rugged working craft, the company also produces a smaller 18 foot version.
The 18 foot skiffs were out recently at Weston SC while I was doing safety boat duty, fortunately the skiffs are largely self supported otherwise I might have had a problem keeping up, not to mention leaving the Lasers and regular b0ats behind.
I did rush over o this one but the crew were really relaxed so just stood by while they righted the boat and then sped off into teh distance down Southampton Water.
My summary would be - Fantastic boats, very fast requiring good athletic, sailing and swimming skills
There's been a variety of houseboats on this spot in the saltings over the years ranging from serious sea going craft ot a wide body canal boat. This latest looks to be a dutch type barge with a modified wheelhouse and stern enclosure, looks really nice.
That looks like the perfect spot for watching the evening sun going down on the river with a cold beer in hand, there's perhaps a clue to a possible downside in the top photo - yes that's a motorway speeding camera sign - who know barges went so fast.
Despite having lived here for almost 30 years I've never actually been in the local windmill so took the opportunity on a rare open day to take a look.
The mill apparently is one of the oldest of it's type with wooden engineering powering the mill wheels, the mill wright's expertise with wood was quickly replaced by metal from the start of the 18th century and few of older mills survive.
The mill was operational until around 2014 and it was a lovely sight in summer standing above the trees on the top of Providence Hill with the white sails rotating.
The mill has had a few difficult years, apparently leased to the council who were to run it as a museum and then decided to get rid of all the museums, now back with the trustees the plan is to fit new sails and get the mill operational and making flour.
In addition the plan is to use the site for events which is a lovely and unique location for weddings and other activities.
Local legend has it that while the mill was in use King Charles insisted on Bursledon flour for some of the Duchy biscuits or cakes.
Above the governor mechanism to keep the mill wheels turning at the correct speed, apparently the mill has no tail piece so to bring the sails onto the wind the entire top piece is rotated manually, there is a scheme to automate that with electric motors and wind direction detectors.
Push the Boat Out days are put on for new our nervous sailors at Hurst Caste SC to sail in company with safety boat support and held normally on Saturday's as us working folks can't make the mid week "potters".
Not being a nervous nor new sailor I was crewing the safety boat which afforded time to try and take some photos.
The majority of the fleet were SCOWs which are one of the popular classes at HCYC
There was a sailing challenge to leave beach with a 30 second duration between each boat and arrive at a buoy near Hurst spit in the same order and with the same time interval, in the event they got off quite smartly making a fine procession down the moorings, but the fleet soon split up with the more experience sailors racing off ahead.
Along with the SCOWs was a one of the club Hartley 12's and a small fleet of kayaks who made good pace against what were at times gusty winds.
Killing time at the airport I was browsing the current boating magazines which seemed very thin and short on content other than glossy pictures
In contrast I ad a quick look through some a couple of old copies of PBO which ware littering up my office, subjects covered include converting an inflatable into a life raft, diesel engine maintenance, repairing a stern bearing and how to build spars for a gaff rig including reference to Skene's Elements of Yacht Design. For the more cerebral there was a piece on celestial angles and sight reduction tables.
Stopped off in the Old Portsmouth yard of the Victory Class where members were getting their boats ready for the season
The class is unusual in that the 21 foot boat designed by Alfred Westmacott developed in 1934 from a modified Bembridge One design was updated in 2006 with a fiberglass hull design and both wooden and GRP boats race together.
Very original with patina showing an age similar to my own and complete with it's very own, very cute and very patient guard dog (no sophisticated electronic alarm systems on this baby).
Isetta 300 1950's micro car with a 298cc single cylinder four stroke producing around 13 HP, seating for two, this fine example even has a sun roof.
Born in an age of post war austerity and fuel shortages it was a great design providing affordable transport with weather protection.
The iconic opening front door, where the steering wheel hinged out of the way to allow the driver access was a great innovation, one slight downside was having no reverse gear if it was parked too close front on it was extremely difficult to get out, maybe that's why this one had the sunroof.
Not having been to the Camber in Old Portsmouth for a while and having a day off Mrs BB and I parked up at Eastney and cycled along the seafront in the good weather.
In all honesty not too much had changed which is all to the good, the Spice Island Inn actually isn't that old being the amalgamation of two pubs around the 1990's. Going further back in history 17th and 18th centuries the area has a bad reputation for drunken sailors, smugglers, women of the night and general bad behavior, non of which was on display during our visit fortunately.
A superyacht alongside GunWharf Quay
The Still and West and the harbour entrance which was temporarily blocked by HMS Vanguard in the 1960s, one end of the ship was wedged just behind the pub and the other end in Gosport. There's a fantastic photo in the pub.
Pretty much where Vanguard was resting on the Gosport side, the Mary Mouse ex trinity house light vessel.
The Millennium tower just across the water which forms the exit for the Wight Link ferries terminal, with said ferry just embarking over to presumably Fishbourne, no need to way you can practically shake hands as it passes!!
In the same way that scuba diving isn't really a spectator sport, there's not that much to be seen at HW.
Constructed in the early 20th century 1905-9 running from the beach out to the Horse Sand fort (seen in the distance as protection to prevent fast motor torpedo boats or small craft from getting into Portsmouth.
Constructed of 60-ton concrete blocks and heavy ironwork there is a gap that very small boats can use, although I've always preferred to sail around
After quite some time an onion seller has returned to Lymington market, or at least a new seller has taken up the post.
Previously a French seller from Roscoff area would typically visit around September, which was a tradition dating back to the 1950's when sellers would bring bicycles over as cheap and probably the only realistically available personal transport to sell their wares.
The new team are English, but still really good of them to bring this tradition back.
Posts
All Comments
