I hope you will have read the excellent series of articles by Mike Dixon about his restoration of the Atalanta prototype – A1 Atalanta. There are more to come but in the mean-time Mike launched Atalanta this Summer. And boy has that all that blood, sweat and tears paid off.
Mike will be writing more about the launch but here are some highlights.
The plan was to launch A1 in the week before the East Coast Race and West Mersea Regatta. However teething troubles and the weather had different ideas. A false start saw A1 get wet and then return to the hard for some work to improve the seal on the keel mounting plates. These are unique to A1.
Atalanta was finally launched on the day of the Regatta, spending a couple of days in Brightlingsea for commissioning before heading for her new home at the Orwell Yacht Club. I had the privilege of being involved in the launch and trip North – Mike has done a great job and I look forward the season sailing with and hopefully, occasionally, on Atalanta.
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A1 Atalanta A1 behind Mike’s Touareg. An excellent tow car.
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A1 All done.
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A1 Atalanta’s rudder has bowden cable style operating cables
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Final preparation before launch
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Down the ramp
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A1 Feeling the water for the first time in over 25 years
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A1 So like a production Atalanta but so many differences.
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A1 A long and varnished stern deck
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A1 A1’s shallow blister makes that varnished foredeck look very sleek
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A1 Ready for the off
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A1 A1 Hiding among the ‘big boats’ at Brightlingsea
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A1 The happy Skipper at the helm. Not enough wind for sailing sadly.
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A1 A view of the cockpit, keel raising mech and into the cabin.
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The cabin
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The keel boxes are the same length as the cockpit and completely open. Pipe insulation and cable ties pressed into service to keep us dry. Remarkably effective!
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A1 Motoring up the River Orwell as the sun sets.
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A1 Sunsets bring out the best in the varnished decks.