The last post 2014

Here's hoping that 2014 was everything that it promised to be a year ago.

Have a great new year and here's wishing you well for whatever endeavors you pursue in 2015

Low down on barges

Low water, on a late autumn morning the view from a small rowing boat gives an interesting perspective on some of the barges on the river.

Unlike the east coast the Solent is not renowned for mud, but there was enough to leave these barge/houseboats high and dry in Saltern's creek.

Slightly down stream at Mercury this one was afloat a;ongside the pontoon, even with the bowsprit pulled up I hate to think what the mooring charges are.

One of the other nearby marina's have just cleared the last three houseboats from the pontoon, Currently the spaces are empty but I wonder if some redevelopment is planned.

All points north

Matilda Emile our First 21 was sold and traveled by trailer to her new base in Scarborough during November.

She's been a great little boat and I'm sure the new owner will have lots of fun sailing her.  If you're up that way the owner is a member of the Scarborough YC and plans to race her in the the club's North Sea race. Now renamed Valkyre before she went back in the water she had a good polish and some paint, I especially like the gold cove stripe and the Christmas tree.

Of course this leaves us with the dilemma of what next? Quite apart from having no idea, I did quick tot up of the remaining Bursledon fleet and got to 10 (including the herb boat) and not forgetting that Joseph will most likely be needing an Opi soon.

Have a very Merry Christmas

Must have been difficult landing his reindeer on that, maybe that's why it's called a flying bridge.

T'was the nigh before Christmas

Actually this looks more like a left over from Halloween..

It's got to be one of the strangest Christmas decoration ever.

Motor boat design

I confess to not really being in tune with modern yacht and motorboat design, but I know enough to think that this is maybe probably cutting edge in fast launch styling.

I was out for a lunch time run passing through the local marina and spotted a photo session of this fast motor boat, maybe a modern interpretation of what was called a commuter boat in the US.

The hull form is interesting with those fine bows flowing back to a hard chine which should provide stability. As for the styling, well it's certainly contemporary in the Range Rover Evoque, Star Wars storm trooper look. Hang on a minute didn't Star wars some out in 1977 when people still thought flared trousers were cool?

And don't those gull wing doors look strangely familiar?  It all seems a far cry from the Bauhaus mantra "form follows function" but I have to say I quite like it's post modernist, dynamic metaphor.

I hope the photographer managed to get some better shots than me and that you enjoyed this bit of ironic banter.

Pink Boats

What can I say I like pink boats, especially this one.

Maybe I'm getting in touch with my feminine side?