Monday 29 January 2024

Under the rainbows

Doing a quick search of Bursledon blog, we seem to have quite a few rainbows over the the years.

Unusually a double rainbow appeared over Swanwick Hard just as I was coming back from a late afternoon walk, the sun coming out under the low clouds which had just passed

The sun all too soon dropping into a glorious, dramatic sky that's only seen during a winter sunset


 

Friday 26 January 2024

Rounding the Mark

 Emsworth Slipper SC enthusiasts sailing on a fine but chilly day on the mill pond.



Monday 22 January 2024

Itchen Ferry Freda

I'm pretty sure I saw Freda sailing on the Deben, over on east coast a few years ago. A quick search suggests she was sold by Wooden Ships brokerage in 2022, which may be when she returned to Hampshire inChichester harbour, if not her original home the Itchen and Southampton Water.






Wooden Ships describe her as an Itchen Ferry gaff cutter designed by Daniel G. Hatcher and built by Fays of Northam in 1890. Looking pretty good for her 130 plus years.

Friday 19 January 2024

Monday 15 January 2024

Fairey Altanta

Unusual and innovative the Fairey Atlantic came into production in the 1950's built by Fairey Marine in Hamble to a design by Uffa Fox.

Post WW2 Fairey had been seeking to use skills and technology in hot moulding wood, which had been successful in aircraft production.

 The Atlanta 26 (which I think this is) was one of several sizes the largest being 31 feet, had twin lifting keels and a significant interior space. The centre cockpit providing a same and secure working environment, probably just as well given those rounded decks.

 The boats remain popular today with a strong owners association
 

Friday 12 January 2024

Pub of the Year

 Our local craft bar The Gate won Pub of the Year 2023 and deservedly so, great beer, great atmosphre and friendly folks.



Monday 8 January 2024

Tri as I might

I know that trimarans are going to be a hoot to sail, and for the limited time that's available to most of us leisure sailors getting somewhere fast and getting back in the weekend means extending the cruising area, all of which are great plus points.

Something like this can probably be trailed, once again the light weight would be an advantage


 Even with all those plus points, "tri as I might" a trimaran just doesn't speak to my soul in the way a classic mono-hull does, but I'm working on it.

Friday 5 January 2024

Interesting Boats

It might just be me but I seem to find fewer interesting boats when wandering around marinas these days, this however was one that caught my eye.

No idea what the design is, the hull is hard chine so could be steel, aluminum or ply, from the distance and with those chine reinforcements probably ply. The hull is slim by modern standards and she looks well fitted out for ocean sailing.