Orderly

Someone with better recognition than I will need to tell us whether these are Swallows, or Sunbeams or the Daring fleet or something quite different, immaculately arranged outside Cowes roads at last year's regatta.

Compared to years ago there are far fewer yachts outside on the moorings, presumably in part as overall numbers at the event were down, there's been a increase in marina berths over the year which makes things easier and more comfortable for the crews.

 

Winter day sail

 Lovely clinker built dinghy making way up the Hamble on a cold but clear winter's day

 

Speed Trials

 Friend Malcolm was asked to record some performance data of a high performance Brabus Shadow 300, and asked me along to hold the camera steady. The boat is dry sailed out of a local marina which is very cool as below being dropped in ready to go.

On a cold, grey and almost deserted day we drove across Solent logging the GPS speed for every 500 RPM increment from 2000 up to 6000 RPM. Maximum speed recorded at 6000 was 44.9 knots with a little bit of tide assistance.

Despite being an open boat the wrap around screen kept most of the wind off the driver and crew  resulting in a quite comfy ride.

Next up will be to change the prop to see if the performance/fuel consumption can be improved.

Etier du Moulin

In the depths of winter, it's nice to recall those summer days.

The Etier du Moulin is a channel which separates Noirmoutier-en-i'lle from the rest of the island/peninsular. Running east from the bridge in the centre of town, the drying channel is a haven for small classic boats. On the southern bank away from the town are several traditional boat builders

For someone like me it was day boat heaven wandering around and having a good look at everything while Joseph and Mrs BB spend an hour of so in the nearby shops.

Wooden day boat, wooden cruiser, wooden motorboat (probably) and a really cute wooden tender.

Shore side workshops probably haven't changed much in the last 70 or even 100 years.

 Moorings over on the town side (opposite) are a bit more upmarket

Quintessential France, bar, boat and bicycle, could do with someone carrying a baguette but close enough.

 

Sinking Feeling

Caption perhaps?

 

Winkle Brig

I remember back in the early 80's thinking this would make a nice picnic boat, there don't seem to be many around these days.

 The French would probably call it a pêche promenade, we don't really have a translation.

Ketch

 Rowed past this really nice ketch which I hadn't seen before, the crew were tiding up and cooking breakfast. They had brought the boat around from the east coast which must have been a challenging trip given the weather we've had recently.

 The boat is to a design by Kim Holman which once having been told it's easy to see familiar characteristics from his perhaps more famous designs the Twister, Stella, Rustler 31.