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.
Brisk early season Sunday at Netley, afternoon winds well in the 20 MPH's maybe guts higher kicking up constant breaking waves on the Netley foreshore
Could be accumulated rainwater over the winter or a leek gone unnoticed and unattended.
The high pressure had been hanging around for over a week with the resulting light winds and fine weather, I'd gone down to the sailing club to do safety boat duty but without the minimum number of boats turning up racing was cancelled.
With the prospect of a sea breeze in the afternoon cancelling out the light northerly rowing seemed a good way to make the best of the day.
I wasn't alone in total I say 6 other boats out rowing including some I recognised from Hamble River Rowing club. These two I didn't recognise, the one at top to too far away to inquire why they were towing, presumably good reason.
Below really nice looking boat, seems about as small as practical for two rowers.
It was a perfect rowing afternoon, so hopefully everyone had as much fun as I did, the tide was on the 2 hour stand so pretty much perfect conditions.
Vlad the Impala - what a great name
| LOA: | 28.00 ft / 8.53 m |
| LWL: | 23.17 ft / 7.06 m |
| S.A. (reported): | 335.00 ft² / 31.12 m² |
| Beam: | 9.25 ft / 2.82 m |
| Displacement: | 4,300.00 lb / 1,950 kg |
| Max Draft: | 5.50 ft / 1.68 m |
With spring very firmly in the air it's easy to forget that some hardy SCOW sailors were out in the depth of winter.
Here Lymington SCOW fleet were out on the river on a cold clear Saturday with just the right amount of wind.
It was quite a short course up to the breakwater and back just be, low the RLYC to where I suspect a few would be retiring after the races.
Example of the latest inshore sailing clothing designed for comfort at sea and to look stylish and sophisticated at the yacht club bar
Occasionally pulled away from the waterfront by Mrs BB in pursuit of one of her main hobbies, I found myself waiting patiently outside the wool shop in Lymington.
With my head still very much in the boating scene, at first glance I remember wondering why a wool shop would have lengths of broken mast as a shop sign - durr. Would also make a nice sign for the Needles cafe.
Apologies but combination of fine weather, a new phone and being in Barcelona brought out the latent street photographer in me.
There's a lot of encouragement on the internet to budding artists, crafters and photographers to not worry too much about how good you are, rather just go out and do it, practice, practice practice.
So apologies for inflicting my bad photography on you, but I did rather enjoy looking at some of my favorite parts the city through a new lens.
The last thing the internet needs is another travelogue on places to go in Barcelona, but staying away from the major hot spots is probably good advice, although you should at least go past Las Rambla, Sagrada Familia and Parc Guellon while you're there.
If you go there the best advice is to just wander the city and enjoy.
Interesting rowing skiff which may or may note be the Ahoy Boats TS515 and has a pair of small training floats mounted under the rowlock arms to help stability.
It seems a good way to introduce people to sliding seat rowing in a fast, slim and long boat with better stability compared to a conventional skiff of the same size.
These deck garages are a really great feature on modern superyachts
Nice to know that even on a superyacht the garage can be just as cluttered and full of stuff as is the average domestic garage, bit of a shame that the view was obscured by the electrical box, but the garage was pretty full of work benched, tools and materials, was going to need a serious clear out before there's any room for a dinghy tender and other "water toys".
Featured alongside the Emsworth lobster pot Christmas tree, some close up details of Sally a lovery harbour launch.
Perfect for pottering, fishing and picnics around Chichester harbour especially when those strong tides are running
Nice to see her dressed overall.
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