Search found 764 matches

by Garry R
Thu Oct 25, 2012 8:50 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Classic Handicaps
Replies: 65
Views: 24257

Re: Classic Handicaps

I did not wish to give the impression that all the vintage Merlins in the de May were modernised - far from it. There are no doubt quick and very original boats (Tim Bury in 1066 comes to mind) but of course in the Merlin fleet there are also design issues too as well as the modernisation. Secret Wa...
by Garry R
Wed Oct 24, 2012 2:03 pm
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Classic Handicaps
Replies: 65
Views: 24257

Re: Classic Handicaps

When CVRDA and de May events coincide I actually find that it enhances our view that the handicaps (in the Merlin fleet) are all skew wiff. The De May guys come out, all carboned, mylared, epoxied (not a rib or rove in sight) etc beat the hell out of us and then leave the CVRDA guys to sail on on th...
by Garry R
Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:04 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: The worst classic dinghy.
Replies: 37
Views: 28674

Re: The worst classic dinghy.

And a GP could have won our Nationals at Bough Beech this year if the boat had sailed and been sailed as well as it had been on the Monday. They were just getting it together on the Saturday after a restoration. In many ways a good all round CVRDA boat but we see very few of them. Also very few Ente...
by Garry R
Sun Oct 21, 2012 9:10 pm
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Classic Handicaps
Replies: 65
Views: 24257

Re: Classic Handicaps

http://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/gallery/default.asp?folder=gallery/building_and_repairs David H have a look at the list on this link and you will see 252 (Gannet) Rocket design by Wyche and Coppock, 111 Secret Water Merlin design. Also 36, Terrapin, another Holt designed Merlin restored by Chris Barlo...
by Garry R
Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:45 pm
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Classic Handicaps
Replies: 65
Views: 24257

Re: Classic Handicaps

Precisely Pat. It would be an excercise to be discussed and taken at leisure to see how things would pan out over a season. Happy to supply beer!!
by Garry R
Fri Oct 19, 2012 4:55 pm
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Classic Handicaps
Replies: 65
Views: 24257

Re: Classic Handicaps

I have no idea whether this suggestion would work but in a previous existence I was a member of a golf society where if you won a competition your handicap was reduced by a set amount. If you won again it was reduced again. The argument was that you eventually found your correct level. At the end of...
by Garry R
Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:39 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: non slip any ideas please
Replies: 12
Views: 3954

Re: non slip any ideas please

The only thing I have against sgar is that it is the perfect environment for bacterial growth and I can't quite see how it all gets washed away especially when the varnish encases it. I used varnish and fine sand on my floorboards and after 5 years they still are pretty good.
by Garry R
Tue Oct 09, 2012 11:42 am
Forum: Events
Topic: Holt Tideway race
Replies: 63
Views: 34877

Re: Holt Tideway race

It looks as if the camera disc has crashed completely hence no photos. I will see what I can do
by Garry R
Mon Oct 08, 2012 8:39 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: Holt Tideway race
Replies: 63
Views: 34877

Re: Holt Tideway race

Point of order David. In case anyone thinks I was trying to slip Gannet into the event (W&C design and build) it was actually Secret Water who was there!! JH design, Woottens built in 1947. I really enjoyed the trip and the race tempered by arriving back to Somerset with a raging sore throat and...
by Garry R
Mon Oct 08, 2012 10:12 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: rudder vibration.
Replies: 14
Views: 4346

Re: rudder vibration.

If there is 12mm play at the top of the daggerboard I wouldn't like to think what it is at the tip.
by Garry R
Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:05 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: Holt Tideway race
Replies: 63
Views: 34877

Re: Holt Tideway race

And Merlin 111 with wooden mast and cotton sails, no spinnaker and lead tipped centreboard ...........!!!! Hope to see a few of you there. NOT towing with the Austin Seven (was designed by Herbert Austin and Stanley Edge!!)
by Garry R
Tue Sep 11, 2012 5:30 pm
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Where can I get wire shrouds made up for a Vagabond dinghy ?
Replies: 5
Views: 2581

Re: Where can I get wire shrouds made up for a Vagabond ding

He made mine for a couple of boats and did a good job but you really do need the correct lengths.
by Garry R
Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:55 pm
Forum: Boats and bits for sale
Topic: Firefly scale model kit
Replies: 3
Views: 1524

Re: Firefly scale model kit

Yep Neil. My Firefly was less than £60 and came with a trailer.The delivery from Stafford to Aberdeen was free thanks to Pat and Sandy
by Garry R
Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:13 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Did anyone notice.....
Replies: 2
Views: 2005

Did anyone notice.....

On Dan Snow's World War II programme last night where he went diving to bring up relics of an American bomber which crashed into Lough Foyle in Northern Ireland the witnesses at the time were out sailing and the dinghy shown was a National 12 No 317 called Redwing. No design given in their database ...
by Garry R
Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:25 pm
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: A special enterprise
Replies: 10
Views: 4292

Re: A special enterprise

By all means keep the dust from your sanding but can I make two comments. An orbital sander in my opinion nearly always leaves scratches which are not visible UNTIL you varnish so unfortunately I have to recommend hand sanding. Secondly an orbital sander will have a tendency to strip off the outer v...