Designed by legendary Uffa Fox the Albacore is a 15-foot, two-person dinghy very much is the tradition of fast planning dinghies from thre1950s and which have passed the test of time. The design brief came about through a collaboration among Solent-area dinghy sailors for a sturdy, versatile 15-foot boat capable of handling the steep chop and high winds of the coastal
This example was sailing nicely in circa 15 knot winds in Southampton water.
I've seen and written about this lovely double ender previously, she was alongside the quay at Keyhaven recently and I thought it was worth a couple more photos
Super little boat for day sailing and the occasional weekend exploring down and around the western Solent.
Fast cats were out at Weston SC on a fine day
The club has a long standing reputation for catamarans and there are normally a few in the fast fleet on club race days.
Due to illness I was single handed in the safety boat which was OK while the winds were light and it was relatively east to hold station and keep an eye out for the Lasers etc in the slow fleet as well
But when the winds got up with some afternoon breeze the fleets got very spread out and keeping out of the way of the fast boats was important, on moment they were almost out of sight and the next....
Earle morning HW neap, Mrs BB dropped me off at the old wharf in Botley, no one around and not a breath on the water
Quick trip upstream nothing stirring.
And then down river which was like glass before it got busy with other kayaks and paddle boarders, a few of whom were still blowing up their boards back at the dock at Fairthorne Manor dock as I went past, then back hoe for breakfast.
Early 1980's advert from Practical Boat Owner magazine for the Cornish Cormorant which is described as "....safe, simple and eminently sensible ...Swallows and Amazon boat"
And sensible they are, our very own Tosh is sitting in the driveway, slightly neglected but nothing that a good clean and tidy won't put right.
I spent much of 2025 learning or rather re-learning how to sail a Laser, not having been on one for 30 years or so, and while they are fast and fun at times I came to the conclusion that I just don't really like them. I want a boat that's steady, easy to handle, will heave-to while I pour a cup of tea or unwrap a sandwich, the Cormorant has all that and more.
I'm pretty similar with motor cycling, I rarely go much over 60 mph, just enjoy pottering around the famously bendy English country lanes - definitely an old geezer thing.
The current waterfront in Hamble is still recognisable from this picture taken it looks like some time in the early 20th century.
The building center is a currently closed restaurant/bar, in fact it's had so many openings and closures over the past 20 years it could probably have done with revolving signs like James Bond' car in Gold Finger, it's also looking a little the worse for wear these days.
To the left is now a gallery selling nautical artwork and paraphernalia.
The photo was taken from the town quay, below the more or less same view today
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