Great name for a tender and perhaps quite appropriate, with a mast step and off center dagger board it looks to be able to sail as well as row. I especially like the sculling notch in the transom which is a sure sign of a good dinghy
I don't often use other people's photos on the blog, so thanks to whoever posted this on the internet and if I'm contravening any convention or rights I will take it down immediately.
The reason to put it up is that it's such an attractive sail plan. I've been doodling around ideas to put a larger sail plan on Tosh our Cornish Cormorant, years ago I had a conversation with Roger Dongray who designed the original Cornish Crabber, the Cormorant and the Cornish Yawl of which No 1 Greta we owned a few years ago, was Roger's own boat.
Roger's advice on the Cormorant is that it could easily manage a 10% increase in sail area and probably 15%, the challenge for any redesign is to to lose the easy handling of the current rig and make it attractive - the West Mersea boat above certainly achieves the latter.
Browsing through some old copies of practical Boat Owner I realised how far and fast marine electronics have come in the past 40 years.
Back in the day and in fact I have never have invested in speed and direction other than a Windex at the mast head primarily used at night when it was illuminated by the masthead light and it's impossible to se the wind direction in pitch black conditions.
Autonnic Research were however a really helpful and great to deal with company, I seem to recall at least one of the directors was a keen and somewhat traditionalist yachtsman, they were one of the last companies to produce an electronic towed log. The propeller came on an electrical cable which really only needed to be deployed on long passages avoiding taking out the fouled up through hull and avoiding holes beneath the waterline completely.
The same towed unit could be and was fitted to the Stowe Navigator log fitted to Blue Clipper allowing us to close up the through hull and it served us well both ways across the Atlantic.
The good weather brought out a good selection of cars at the Locks Heath Sunday meeting
Above Sunbeam Alpine of which I had 2 back in the early 80's one driven down to the south of France which wasn't such a great idea, traveling down we had the roof up to keep off the sun and buffeting wind noise but it was really hot.
Above - What a contrast in front grills, guessing this is a 70's Caddy with absolutely no apologies to aerodynamics.
Below - In the Citreon DS looking like it might have flown in, incredibly the design debuted at the October 1955 Paris motor show
A crowd pleasing favorite Pininfarina designed Fiat (128 I think?)
I think it was Hot Wheels that first brought out model hot rod and other wild designs back in the 60's, I wasn't much into toy cars back then but those were the ones I wanted, must be great to have a full size one now.
Interesting micro car, I forget the make and model, far too distracted by the snakeskin interior trim, which according to the owner was original, probably an option?
Nice MGA, compared to the Corvette the 1500cc or 1600cc seems a little light for a sports car, but then it only weighed circa 2000lbs.
Classically French and certainly in these parts rare, Peugeot.
Vanden Plas Princess, my friend Malcolm and I bought one of these while we were at college at the local auction, I think for around £180 or so. Unusual features were hydraulic jacks at each corner operated via a panel under the drivers feet and a flickering fire effect heater in the rear.
Lot of fun, needless to say this one is in much better condition.
If you're going to have an old sports card then one like this might just be perfect
It's been a while since I visited the houseboats in Salterns creek
Seen in the pictures they were still hunkered down coming out of winter, but with the early spring sunshine it's easy to see the attraction of living on the water.
So often I just row past too quickly such is the way with the all too familiar.
I spotted this a couple of weeks ago from the shore in Hamble, but it may have been there much longer as we've been so busy at the end of 2025 we have hardly been to Hamble for weeks if not months.
Taking the opportunity for a couple of pics while rowing down and in fantastic sunlight. I didn't get a chance to read her name, the tide was running full spring flood so it was really hard to get close enough, control the boat and take photos.
Subsequently had a chat with the owner interrupting him while working on deck, the boat was built for the Norfolk Broads so shallow draft, a centerboard and a large rig and sail area suitable for the inland conditions. Construction began in 1924 and launched in 1925 so just over a 100 years old, the construction is all teak which probably goes some way toward her condition.
The outboard is a temporary measure used only for maneuvering in light conditions, the owner is working on a replacement engine, originally built without one, a previously installed engine needs complete replacement.
There's a lot of TLC needed fortunately the base construction is sound and should be a stunning boat once the work is done. That large rig will probably be useful around the Solent in light summer breeze.
If you're in the New Forest and looking for some rude refreshments, you could do worse than stopping off at the Trusty Servant in Minstead for a pint of Rude Giant.
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