The Yacht Tavern

 When you absolutely have to get to that riverside pub that isn't quite as riverside as you hoped, no matter what.

Low Water

The Pink ferry causeway at low water spring tide on the Warsash side of the river.

 

 

Mikado

There are a few gems to be seen at this time of year preparing for the season and this is certainly one.

Instantly recognisable as a Fife, she is a Clyde 30ft Linear (LR) Class, built for Sir William Corry. 

Originally rigged as a gaff cutter the rig was changed to the current Bermudan sail-plan during the 1920’s.

 

Nancy

 With things warming up after the too long springtime chills, there are some interesting boats coming to life in our boatyards, one of which is this delightful little double ender Nancy.

Nancy is a Heron designed by H T Rossiter, built by Chas A Purbrook in 1956, with the characteristic raised topsides and small central cabin.

Following up to try and find some more information I discovered she's for sale on brokerage with West Solent Boatbuilders at a very attractive price

Fluff

Great name for a day boat, sadly it was covered upFluff looks like an interesting boat.

 

Update on the New classic dayboat?

Since posting I've found out that the new classic was devised by none other than our local classic boat builder Greg Dalrymple,  based on the hull moulds of the Orwell Corinthian.

 

There's a nice video of Orwell Corinthian number 1 on Dylan Winter's Keep turning left blog .

I clearly didn't pay enough attention when I was taking the photo's, but the mast looks like the new boat has a modern Bermudian rig. 

 Look forward to seeing  the new boat out on the water

Eling

 Eling creek runs off the River Test on the western side of Southampton water, hidden behind huge stacks of containers the creek is bisected by a toll bridge and a dam holding back what is presumably a freshwater mill pond..

On the seaward side the creek is filled with drying moorings, mostly small boats which take the ground for most of the time.

Contrast the still water above the bridge, the bridge keeper (who collects the £1 a car toll and 70pfor motorbikes) pointed out a kingfisher.

Eling Sailing Club occupies the historic tide mill which is good enough reason to visit.

The club has moorings and a dingy compound and some interesting shore based facilities like this derek.

 

On the south side of the creek are a few very des res homes with moorings alongside.

Below looking down the creek to the entrance The .sailing directions read: To reach us navigate to the Eastern Cardinal buoy ‘Eling’ grid reference 50° 54.475’ N 1° 27.844’ W. From the Cardinal, on a bearing of 111° and a distance of 0.2NM is the entrance to the Eling Channel. The channel entrance is marked with two posts, red can and green cone. As you approach the bend in Creek turn to Port and stay about 3 meters from quay wall (beside containers).