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CLASSAtalanta
BUILTMarch 1959
HULL No.97
ConditionSailing
LocationLevington, Suffolk

Atalanta Mary Boat Blog Posts


Orwell to Oxford, London
Orwell to Oxford, London 2025 May - Left Queensborough at about 6am. too early.  But a lovely morning. Low tide was at 7:30.  so I was pushing against the tide.  It was not kind to the boat but i estimated the distance at about 40Nm so was doing math in my head and considering back out plans. It was a still morning so as ...
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Orwell to Oxford, To the Medway
Orwell to Oxford, To the Medway 2025 April - i could not miss saturdays weather to make the trip to Tollesbury.  i am just hoping for good weather for the next hop to the medway.
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Orwell to Oxford
Orwell to Oxford 2025 January - OK lets do this thing…. I have started my preparations by watching tweedy pubs on youtube.  So the goal is a pint in the Lamb and Flag with a toast to the Inklings. First stop Chatham. (thanks Wiki for the photo)
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Repairs to top sides
Repairs to top sides 2022 December - The Uffa fox event was the perfect excuse for me to finally address the top-sides.  Mary was in good condition when I took over her care.  But the paint had definitely gone powdery and lifted in places. Maintenance, like the tax man and must be paid. I have not been looking forward to this but the ...
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Out of hibernation
Out of hibernation 2021 August - I am really glad that I managed to find ‘hibernation’ for Mary over the lock-down.  But it is time to get her back in the water enjoy a sail and make sure things are running properly. So with the excuse of the West Mersey regatta she is going back into the water. She went in on Friday and ...
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November 2019 Classic Boat - Atalanta as an 'Affordable Classic'
November 2019 Classic Boat – Atalanta as an ‘Affordable Classic’ 2019 October - It started with a conversation at the Suffolk Yacht Harbour Classic Regatta in June this year.In the bar.Peter Smith, art editor for Classic boat was taking part with his 8-ton Gauntlet Bardu. We got into conversation about boats (what else) and Atalantas. We suggested that the Atalanta would make a good subject in the Classic ...
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Atalanta Mary hibernates
Atalanta Mary hibernates 2019 January - Clearing up the photos on my camera, I came across these. Alistair, I hope you don’t mind me posting them. Atalanta Mary was moved in November to a home out of the weather for a few months. A stone’s throw from the her marina berth on the Orwell the barn is a great space to get work ...
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2016 Mary on the way home
2016 Mary on the way home 2017 June - 2016 Mary on the way home. Photo: sep 06b to st tropez 010_modified.
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Suffolk Yacht Harbour-Mary maintenance
Suffolk Yacht Harbour-Mary maintenance 2016 October - In my previous blog I spoke of bringing Mary home because the maintenance backlog was exceeding holiday expectations.  Well that kind of thing.  So now Mary is in Suffolk Yacht Harbour under her lovely cover with the expectation that I address the
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09 Sep - Hyeres
09 Sep – Hyeres 2016 September -And so, it was over. Well nearly. We three crew got the bus to Hyeres, where we had used AirBnB to reserve a trendy looking flat. Heyeres is a charming town. And old, walled centre surrounded by the inevitable growth of shopping and residential areas. We explored all aspects, including some of the bars, before making ...
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09 Sep - St Tropez to Le Lavendou
09 Sep – St Tropez to Le Lavendou 2016 September -Having had our fill of ‘The High Life’ we left St Tropex for Le Lavendou, where Mary was to be lifted. (After breakfast ashore of course). We motored around the headland and the beacon being pressure washed by ‘the authorities’, in the company of Rivas and other yachts, with what little wind there was on ...
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07 Sep - St Tropez
07 Sep – St Tropez 2016 September -We dedicated the this day to exploring more of St Tropez. Partly to see the town and also to watch the spectacle that was being built in the harbour wall. Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie were celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary. They had started in Monaco but were descending on St Tropez; they had ...
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06 Sep - Past Agay to St Tropez
06 Sep – Past Agay to St Tropez 2016 September -We left La Napoule with the hope of continuing the sail of yesterday evening.  But alas by the time we had rounded the headland the wind had stopped.  We had sails up and were just being rolled about by the wake from the big motor boats. So we decided to sit out the heat of the ...
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05 Sep - Past Cannes to La Napoule
05 Sep – Past Cannes to La Napoule 2016 September -We started our journey from Antibes under motor to round the Cap D’Antibes, admiring the houses. The sea towards Cannes was awash with motorboats. Sails up we had a good sail to the cluster of islands just off Cannes – Ile Ste Marguerite, Ile Saint-Honorat and the two tiny islands Ilot de la Tradeliere and ...
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04 Sep - Antibes
04 Sep – Antibes 2016 September -The next morning there is a bit of a breeze in Monaco and we are able to set sail towards Beaulieu Sur Mer. We are buzzed by helicopters all day and pass some very fine coastal houses. Arriving at Antibes we get caught up in the closing stages of a yacht race – normal size yachts ...
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03 Sep - Around Monaco
03 Sep – Around Monaco 2016 September -After coffee we went in search of a laundry. So we washed in buckets on board (Nick’s linen smock-shirts never recovered, perhaps a good thing…..). We then paid a visit to Prince Rainier’s garage, also known as the Monaco Motor Museum. This was great fun – we both found the cars of our youth and ...
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02 Sep - To Monaco
02 Sep – To Monaco 2016 September -Another windless morning. We motored the 20 miles down to Monaco, where we were to pick up Jez as a third crew member. The main harbour were not interested in an 8m yacht and sent us to the FortVielle marina to the west of the rocky outcrop on which old Monaco sits. The cliff face ...
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01 Sep - San Remo
01 Sep – San Remo 2016 September -After a slow motor down the coast, sheltering under the bimini, we see a very large gaff sail in the distance. We eventually arrive off San Remo. There is no wind and the water is an amazing turquoise; we swim to cool off. Then other gaff sails start to arrive and it is obvious there ...
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31 Aug - San Lorenzo Al Mare
31 Aug – San Lorenzo Al Mare 2016 August -We leave Alassio early and enjoy a good sailing breeze. Our next stop is San Lorenzo Al Mare, as recommended to us by the young man at Arnovecchio. We arrive just after lunch. There was a good breeze and a bit of a sea which made the entrance interesting – you approach the shore with ...
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30 Aug - Alassio
30 Aug – Alassio 2016 August -Sailing! Initially under genoa only and then as the wind drops the Spinnaker. We make Alassio a short hop down the cost for 2pm and it is deserted. We eventually raise someone to provide fuel before mooring up to a very high harbour wall. It is a long walk into Alassio which is spread down ...
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29 Aug - Savona to Loano
29 Aug – Savona to Loano 2016 August -We arrive in the very large marina / yacht club at Loano in the late afternoon. The marina is in two halves, divided by a central island with a large yacht club / marina building designed to look like a ship. There are no apparent marina staff and a large number of very large vacant ...
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28 Aug - Genoa to Savona
28 Aug – Genoa to Savona 2016 August -Motor again, towards Savona, which is visible in the distance for many miles. The port extends down both sides of a long inlet, with the town at the head. Initially not that attractive (although interesting) we pass through a lifting bridge at the entry to the yacht harbour into an attractive and cramped marina. The ...
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26 Aug - Genoa
26 Aug – Genoa 2016 August -We motorsailed to Genoa, a short distance to the North West. This was to be the furthest point North of the trip. The coast is continuous towns for many miles before reaching Genoa. Genoa is a very large port, with many separate docks, spread over miles of coastline. We headed for the old port near the ...
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25 Aug - Portofino
25 Aug – Portofino 2016 August -A very picturesque town. Rather dominated by the motor yacht ‘Wedge Too’ when we were there, as is this page.
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25 Aug - Past Cinque Terre to Portfino
25 Aug – Past Cinque Terre to Portfino 2016 August -We left Portovenere early in glorious sunshine. The plan was to sail past the Cinque Terre – five colourful villages clinging to the cliffs – to Portofino. Mooring fees were indicated to be very high, but it had to be done. In the event there was little wind and we motored close inshore. The villages were ...
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24 Aug - Portovenere
24 Aug – Portovenere 2016 August -An epic voyage planned today. Just a few miles South of La Grazie there is a break in the headland forming the West side of the bay. This cut-through leads to Portovenere on the Mediterranean end of the mainland, with the island of Palmaria to the South. Famously Byron swam across the bay here to ...
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23 Aug - La Grazie
23 Aug – La Grazie 2016 August -La Spezia is at the head of a South-facing bay, with a good deal of industry. We motor up the East side of the bay, behind the harbor barrier and down the West side to the small inlet at La Grazie.  We find a space on the visitors’ pontoon. A beautiful place with a piazza ...
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La Spezia
La Spezia 2016 August - I have driven past Genoa and La Spezia a number of times and although the west of Genoa has some beautiful driving roads.  Well they were before they filled them with cars etc.. But it is usually with a sigh of relief when you exit the mountains and are on the highway south.  Looking at ...
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23 Aug - Past Lerici, Viareggio and Carrera
23 Aug – Past Lerici, Viareggio and Carrera 2016 August -The coast looks magnificent with the flat plains around Pisa and Florence spreading North towards the mountains of Tuscany.   We motor and sail North all day, with dolphins playing around the boat, passing a few small boats. Italy becomes more mountainous the further North we go and we pass the marble-bearing mountains at Carrera, eschewing ...
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23 Aug - Leaving the Arno
23 Aug – Leaving the Arno 2016 August -Departure. No wind. We motor down the Arno and out into the Mediterranean. 
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22 Aug - Arnovecchio
22 Aug – Arnovecchio 2016 August -Atalanta Mary is launched without excitements.  We spend a while in the lift dock sorting out the batteries, boom and sails. And chatting to an English man working on a very large wooden yacht in the yard.  He lives there and the boat is his family’s.  He provides some recommendations about places to avoid and ...
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21 Aug -  Florence, before we get afloat
21 Aug – Florence, before we get afloat 2016 August -We flew in to the Airport at Pisa on Saturday 20th August and got a bus into the centre of town. The advertised Bus Station proved elusive (they moved it) but eventually we found it and took the bus down river to Arnovecchio. There, in a corner of the boatyard, Atalanta Mary was safe and ...
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Leaving Pisa to La Grazie (near La Spezia)
Leaving Pisa to La Grazie (near La Spezia) 2016 August - We , and I say we, because our Nick joined me, had a delay before we could get into the water.  So we spent the day in Florence drinking stupidly expensive beer on roof top gardens.  I think the reason for the delay was that I needed a new battery?  We were treated to a spectacular ...
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Atalanta Mary Comes Home (2016)
Atalanta Mary Comes Home (2016) 2016 August -Atalanta Mary left the UK in 2013. She travelled through the French canals and river to the Mediterranean, and then two years sailing around Corsica, Sardinia and Northern Italy. In 2016 I took the decision to bring her home. The plan was to get her from Pisa, where she had wintered in 2015, to France. ...
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Bringing Mary Home-Non abbastanza vacanze
Bringing Mary Home-Non abbastanza vacanze 2016 June - I am going to need your help here.  It has become evident that I should bring Mary home. When I visited on the 2
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Boat cover for Mary
Boat cover for Mary 2016 June - As you will know from Nicks posts I have had a cover made for Mary.  As described by the Pisa Marina owner ‘she is beautiful’.
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2016 Atalanta Mary's new cover
2016 Atalanta Mary’s new cover 2016 June - 2016 Atalanta Mary’s new cover. Photo: Atalanta Mary’s new cover – fitting review on Helene.
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Arnoveccio in Pisa
Arnoveccio in Pisa 2016 January - After leaving Bosa I decided the next overwintering would be Pisa.  I would go up the eastern side of Corsica and head to the mainland.  I think the distances around Sardinia were too great for short holidays and I think I was kind of heading home.. I found Arnovecchio through the cruising association on the Arno ...
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2015 Mary to Pisa
2015 Mary to Pisa 2015 September - 2015 Mary to Pisa. Photo: Bastia. We just do it for the photos
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Mary 2015 2015 September - Well I have finally managed to put Mary back in the water and I think the plan is basically to find my way home. The distances here are too great and the contradiction between waiting out mistral and having to fighter 3 weeks holiday once a year has
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2015 Mary check in Bosa
2015 Mary check in Bosa 2015 April - 2015 Mary check in Bosa. Photo: new keel box seals. I managed to get new blocking plates made by a local carpenter. By all accounts a good man
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Atalanta Mary 2014
Atalanta Mary 2014 2014 October - This blog covers a 2 1/2 week holiday I spent in Sardinia working on Mary. Before reading this look back at the condition of Mary when I sailed out of Portland in October 2012.  During 2013 she was exposed to a lot of strong UV.  With the a
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bubble repair
bubble repair 2014 April - As you may remember I managed to damage the bubble just forward of the hatch.  After damaging and repairing the hatch itself.  This repair scared me far more as a hash job here would be a significant scar on my self confidence.
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2014 Winter check on A102 in Bosa
2014 Winter check on A102 in Bosa 2014 January - 2014 Winter check on A102 in Bosa. Photo: Check on Mary. I went back to check on Mary as I wasn’t there when she was hauled out.  Although I w
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2013 Atalanta Mary lays up in Bosa
2013 Atalanta Mary lays up in Bosa 2013 November - 2013 Atalanta Mary lays up in Bosa. Photo: vela coperta (3). Now she has been washed down there is little antifoul left.
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2013 Atalanta Mary from above
2013 Atalanta Mary from above 2013 September - 2013 Atalanta Mary from above. Photo: Rare view of mary. I went up the mast of another Cruising Association boat to help feed an halyard. 
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2013 Atalanta Mary Alghero to Bosa, Sardinia
2013 Atalanta Mary Alghero to Bosa, Sardinia 2013 September - 2013 Atalanta Mary Alghero to Bosa, Sardinia. Photo: Alghero – making do. I guess it is not to compete with a fast cat but getting the most ou
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2013 Atlanta Mary from Corsica to Isola Rossa, Sardinia
2013 Atlanta Mary from Corsica to Isola Rossa, Sardinia 2013 September - 2013 Atlanta Mary from Corsica to Isola Rossa, Sardinia. Photo: The clouds before the Mistral..
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2024 A103 - Sardinia
2024 A103 – Sardinia 2013 September - 2024 A103 – Sardinia. Photo: Tough times in isola rossa.
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2013 A102 - Corsica!
2013 A102 – Corsica! 2013 August - 2013 A102 – Corsica!. Photo: Corsica. I have arrived after an epic 36 hour haul on the motor today but a good 4 hours on spinaker yesterday.  
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2013 A102 - Out into the Mediterranean
2013 A102 – Out into the Mediterranean 2013 August - 2013 A102 – Out into the Mediterranean. Photo: Med. I will update the blog soon as I am expecting bad weather.   50km winds. I am anchored in
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2013 A102 - Hatch Repairs
2013 A102 – Hatch Repairs 2013 July - 2013 A102 – Lyon and The Rhone. Photo: Boat repairs..
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2013 A102 - Lyon and The Rhone
2013 A102 – Lyon and The Rhone 2013 June - 2013 A102 – Lyon and The Rhone. Photo: Lyon. <
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2013 A102 - Into the Rhone Valley & R.Saone
2013 A102 – Into the Rhone Valley & R.Saone 2013 June - 2013 A102 – Into the Rhone Valley & R.Saone. Photo: The Rhone valley. Today I crossed over from the Marne valley to the Rhone valley passing t
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2013 A102 - The Marne Valley
2013 A102 – The Marne Valley 2013 June - 2013 A102 – The Marne Valley. Photo: Lateral marne canal and Ay.. Ay is very much part of the Champagne district.
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2013 A102 - East from Paris on the R.Marne
2013 A102 – East from Paris on the R.Marne 2013 May - 2013 A102 – East from Paris on the R.Marne. Photo: logs. The higher water levels are washing down some significant logs so you need to keep an
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2013 A102 Mary in Paris
2013 A102 Mary in Paris 2013 May - 2013 A102 Mary in Paris. Photo: Is that….
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2013 A102 Mary To Paris
2013 A102 Mary To Paris 2013 April - 2013 A102 Mary To Paris. Photo: beat this. Long on the somme.
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2013 Atalanta Mary ready on the South Coast
2013 Atalanta Mary ready on the South Coast 2013 January - 2013 Atalanta Mary ready on the South Coast. Photo: 2012-12-24 14.51.57. Well we didn’t make the east coast. Ah well. All the easier to cross
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European holiday 2012 December - I am planning on a holiday next year along the lines of sailing from Chichester to St Valerie-sur-somme then across internal waterways to the south of France and then to spend the remainder of this year sailing towards and around the Tyrrhenian se
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2012 A102 Atalanta Mary travels to Chichester
2012 A102 Atalanta Mary travels to Chichester 2012 November - 2012 A102 Atalanta Mary travels to Chichester. Photo: mary bow. first site nose on
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A102 Atalanta Mary is for sale SOLD
A102 Atalanta Mary is for sale SOLD 2012 February - ATALANTA MARY A102 1959, 3/4 rig, restored to very good condition. Wood spars, sails – main and genoa, 1 & 2 jibs, spinnaker. Anchor’s chains & warps. Lavac heads, sink,fresh water tank,
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Beta Diesel engine
Beta Diesel engine 2000 January - In 2001 the original Coventry Victor engine was replaced with a 13.5HP Beta.  
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Restoration – Cockpit, Engine, Rig 1998 May - In 1998 a restoration began with the rebuilding of the lower cockpit woodwork. Further work included restoring the mast, standing and running rigging.
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Coupe Bernard Trophy 1992 – Twin Rudders 1992 January - In the early 1990’s Atalanta Mary was modified with the fitting of twin rudders in place of the single lifting original. This was influenced by the number of rudder blade failures and a desire to maintain a balanced helm with shallower draft. Could say lots of stuff here. And wouldn’t it be good to have a ...
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In the Navy 1979 January - Atalanta Mary was owned by a Naval officer between 1979 and 1981. During this time he and his wife had their honeymoon cruising the South Coast.
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