CVRDA

I thought I recognised it! Until very recently I was a zummerzet lass and that bridge was my crossing back to sanity. I worked in Brisstle for a while too, but I'm afraid I did my sailing at the somewhat snotty Chew Valley Lake SC. The unsalubrious bits of Wiltshire, as well as Swindon, were Melksha...

Unfortunately it is unlikely Rutland will do likewise. We are forecast a stiff force four on the Saturday, with temperatures well below freezing, and then paltry wind on the Sunday for the lengthy pursuit with temperatures falling even further.....

I think it looks like a fabulous little boat! I can't for the life of me think how you tack it with a jib attached, but hey, we all like a challenge!

Where is that very familiar looking bridge, by the way, and the also familiar looking mud?

Much as I can barely conceal my disappointment at not being allowed to feel inclined to ditch Sunday's pursuit and instead drive for three hours to sail an immensely interesting looking craft, the like of which I have never sailed before, I have to say I think this is a wise decision. March is a goo...

Sounds like I would need my sunglasses! Do you have a picture of this lovely thing? I do like a bit of pink!

Well, I am now of course regretting the Tiger entry. I had foolishly imagined I would have been able to get into the c boat to remember how to sail it between now and then, but as it is, we are more than knee deep in cardboard boxes and ankle deep in snow. I have, of course, now stripped the phantom...

Well, we are within 20 minutes of grafham water so nearly as good! I am typing now from the new house where I am 'borrowing' someone's unsecured wi fi. Bad me,

Grief, if it does, nik will explode. I have had some stunning bargains from ebay of late simply because no one is bidding - a lovely trolley for Agamemnon for £30, a lovely bottom cover for ye olde phantom for £39, some base layers etc. A good time to be bidding. I fancy the 490 to train nik up in w...

Some useful rules:

"Don't wear white flannels and a peaked cap when sailing a 14 foot dinghy.
Don't wear white flannels and a peaked cap when sailing an ocean racer.
Don't wear white flannels and a peaked cap."




From: Sailing, by Peter Heaton, pub. 1959

I am VERY taken by that 490. If I was not moving tomorrow and thus not exactly flush with boat cash I would be bidding. I know, however, that to do so right now would mean certain death......

I'm afraid that in a fit of pre-season madness (inspired by an imminent move to Cambridge) I have signed up for the TT at Rutland. Should anyone wish to risk ye olde phantome she is currently at the in laws in Hertford, complete with trolley, trailer and a soon to be adapted L4000 undercover. If any...

I've now found that this clashes with the Classic I14 meet at Blakeney, so I'm afraid that if the boat is ready and I have a crew I will definitely be going there. I am struggling to get in touch with anyone at all from the classic 14 fleet, but it does seem a shame to have two classic meets - albei...

I am afraid I have succumbed and entered the Tiger Trophy. Maybe next time.

If you seriously do want to take the boat to Brisbane, wait until the end of the year and ship it out in a contender container - more boats helps spread the costs, the guys have all done it before so know about custom regs, building the frame etc, plus the container will actually be going to Brisban...

Nessa: Sitting on a boat upwind slowing it down even flapping sails is an old tactic oft used in University Team Racing in my day as you say not hard to get out of sail fast a free through the dirt and then high and come underneath them even end up ahead and to windward. Harder these days in modern...