Bluster
| CLASS/SAIL DATE BUILT HULL NUMBER | Atalanta A183 November 1966 196 |
| - Other names | Thursday's Child |
| - Condition | Restoring |
| - Location | Aberdeenshire |
| - Engine | Yanmar 1GM |
| - Rig | Masthead, metal |
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If you have information about or photos of this boat we would love to add them to the boat history. - please use this form
Browse the archive for this boat below.
o Gallery - photos through the years
o Blog and Forum Topics - contributed photographs and commentary
o Register - key changes through the years
o Press Appearances - AOA Bulletin and public media articles
o AOA Trophies and Awards
o Gallery - photos through the years
o Blog and Forum Topics - contributed photographs and commentary
o Register - key changes through the years
o Press Appearances - AOA Bulletin and public media articles
o AOA Trophies and Awards
Gallery
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A183 Out at last!
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A183 The backing plates in the keelboxes came out easily, fairly well rusted.
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A183 The bolts through the keelboxes have been removed, and a start made on the main bulkhead bolts.
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A183 Some corrosion where exposed to seawater.
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A183 Detail of stirrup corrosion, with no corrosion where stirrup was in contact with the keel.
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A183 Progressively more corrosion lower down the stirrup.
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A183 The remaining keel bolts and pressure plates were removed once the keels were out.
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A183 The keels were removed using the procedure in Technical Paper F
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A183 Having removed the trailer, Bluster was lowered again ready for keel removal.
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A183 To pull Bluster’s trailer out she had to be jacked up to 1.2 metres above the ground,
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A183 The keels and all the supporting steelwork were removed for inspection, repair and re-galvanizing.
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A183 Heavily corroded on the inside faces.
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A183 Some corrosion, but not too bad.
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A183 This shows the stainless steel plates attached to the rudder head stub tiller by the rather worn machine screw!
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A183 Showing where grub screws were drilled out.
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A183 Rusty engine bearers and thrust bearing removed
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A183 The engine has been partially stripped and painted.
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A183 The engine is now bolted to its cradle, but the cradle needed fizing to the wheels. It is also rather top-heavy.
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A183 The engine about to be lowered into its cradle for transport to a shed.
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A183 The engine having been moved outboard ready to lower.
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A183 The Yanmar 1GM10 free from its mounting.
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A183 Starting the repair of the sprung laminations on the port bow from the inside.
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A183 All four layers of laminate were sprung on the port bow just below the waterline; from an anchor swinging in a seaway?
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A183 Beginning to look like an Atalanta again! (The coachroof is not yet fixed in place.)
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A183 The deck back in place ready for fairing.
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A183 Prior to replacing the deck, one inch Sapelle planks were shaped and inserted as under-deck reinforcement for fittings such as cleats, fairleads and pulpit.
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A183 Laminations going back on to the hull over the repaired stringer.
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A183 New wood scarfed into the stem.
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A183 With the king plank back in place, the foredeck is ready for replacement.
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A183 Sections of the stringers on the starboard bow had also to be renewed.
Contributed Blog
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 | Cockpit Corner Reinforcement and Repairs to Aft Bulkhead2021 August - Bluster has guard rail stanchions at the aft end of the cockpit. These were bolted through the stringer and the deck with a block beneath and above. Unfortunately, after being pushed around a bit, the water had got in and rotted the deck, so the plan was to insert a more substantial block to take ...Comments: |
 | Repairing the Split in the Topsides2021 July - As reported in Bluster’s last blog post, there was a worrying split in the topsides at the starboard aft end of the cockpit where the aft deck moulding is joined to the one at the side of the cockpit. To repair it, the laminates were stripped back to good wood, leaving approximately one inch overlaps ...Comments: |
 | Repairs around the rubbing strake2021 June - The hot sunny weather we are having in Scotland at the moment is ideal for wood repairs as the exposed laminates are nice and dry before being sealed in with epoxy. Water collecting behind the rubbing strake where it was not well glued to the hull had got into the hull and deck laminates and caused ...Comments: |
 | Bluster Progress – Removing Rusty Iron and Making Good2021 May - Work on Bluster has continued in April and early May. Much of April was spent removing rusty bolts from the engine bay area and rudder skeg. The keel stops were removed without difficulty, the bolt heads and nuts just fell off when hit with a spanner. Only one of the eight bolts securing them had ...Comments: |
 | Bluster’s Keels and Steelwork Removed2021 March - After much prevaricating, Bluster’s trailer was removed and the keels lowered to the ground. The supporting steelwork was then also removed for inspection. Before removing the trailer, I cut off most of the keel band. This was rusty, but still had quire a bit of steel left. However, some of the securing screws were broken and ...Comments: |
 | Steering Gear Wear and Corrosion2021 February - With the snow melting and the weather warmed up (relatively), work on Bluster has resumed with the stripping out of the steering mechanism. The whipstaff bearing had a bit of play, but I wanted to take it out to inspect it. This was easier said than done because the square bushing on the cockpit side had ...Comments: |
 | Engine Bearers and Thrust Bearing2021 February - The weather continues to be very cold this winter in Aberdeenshire, and now we also have 20 cm of snow. Consequently, not so much work has been done on Bluster. After much work with angle grinder, lump hammer, punches, spanners and pipe wrench , the engine bearers, and the bolts supporting them, have all been removed. ...Comments: |
 | Bluster’s 1GM10 Serviced and painted2021 January - Bluster’s engine was winterised, but otherwise in reasonable working order. It was badly rusted in places, the fuel and oil pipes were beginning to rust, and the paint was peeling off much of the lower half, so it needed a partial strip-down, clean up and repaint. Most of the bits that could be removed without ...Comments: |
 | Getting Bluster’s Engine Out2020 December - Bluster currently has a Yanmar 1GM10 diesel engine, a replacement for the Volvo Penta that she previously had. It has been fairly reliable, but the paint was peeling off the lower half due to excessive amounts of bilge water at times, one of the rubber mounts needed replacing, and the water pump needed rebuilding. The ...Comments: |
 | Repairs to Bluster’s Bow2020 November - Work has continued on repairing the bow area of Bluster. The deck area had some rot wherever it had been penetrated by a screw or bolt, allowing water to get into the end grain of the laminates. The king plank was full of holes from alterations to the stem fitting, but was not rotten, so ...Comments: |
 | Bluster’s Foredeck Repairs2020 September - The foredeck from the cockpit to the forehatch has now been repaired and just needs fairing and some longitudinal slats replacing. The top laminate repairs on the bubble have now been faired and a start made to placing an additional lamination on top of it to replace thickness lost due to sanding in the past sometime. ...Comments: |
 | Cockpit Restoration2020 July - I am now restoring Bluster’s cockpit at deck level. Getting the jib sheet tracks off (all four of them) was a struggle as many of the brass bolts were corroded into the wood, sheared off, and had to be drilled out. The curved pieces of deck at the aft end of the cockpit are also in ...Comments: |
 | Bluster Refit Progress2020 July - Making the most of the warm weather and Covid19 lockdown to work on repairing the deck laminations and replace the rotten frame tops. Progress is slow, but steady.Comments: |
 | Side Deck Strengthening2020 June - On Bluster, between the companionway bulkhead and the main bulkhead the side deck and blister were joined without any reinforcement other than the quarter round on the outside. This led to separation, water ingress, rot, and my son putting his foot through the deck, It was patched up and reinforced with a steel bar under ...Comments: |
 | Diesel Bug in Fuel Tank2019 July - Why you should always add a biocide to your diesel fuel (see photographs)! The algal gloop formed a mat lying on the bottom of the tank. As there was a 3 cm gap below the fuel pickup to the flat bottom of the tank, the fuel siphoned out of the tank was clean. Removing the tank ...Comments: |
 | Bluster in two big bits (and many small bits)2019 June - Bluster is now under an all-weather cover so it is possible to work on her even when the weather is not as fine as it should be. Many of the fittings have been stripped off, and today the coachroof was separated from the deck. This was quite a job, but needed doing as she had developed ...Comments: |
 | Refit of Bluster Started2019 April - Work has started on Bluster’s major refit, now that the weather is warmer and dryer. I am starting to strip off the bits that have not been off for a long time, if ever, to expose what lies beneath and repair it if necessary, starting with the deck as many of the known soft and ...Comments: |
 | Bluster arrives in Scotland, from Suffolk2018 August - After many years of being based at Ramsholt on the Deben and sailing the Thames Estuary with forays to Holland, France and Scotland (by trailer), Bluster has now moved to Scotland where she will undergo a refit before hopefully cruising the east, north and west coasts. [EDITOR Note: See also the post from the AOA Forum ...Comments: |
 | The Best Laid Plans-A183 Bluster’s log-July/August 20122013 February - The best laid plans …… Or an enjoyable alternative“Where are you going for your summer cruise Jane?” ”Hopefully West, but if thatComments: |
References in Forum Topics
(Based on contributors tagging their posts with the sail number e.g. A71, 31/3)';
None
Register
Register incorrect? Missing some information? Use this form to let us know (form opens in new tab)Ownership history is available only to members of the AOA
or by exception in response to an enquiry through the Contact Us link at the foot of this page.
| Sail_No | Year | BoatName | Owner | HomePort | Condition | Rig | Engine | Notable EVENT | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A183 | 2020 | Stearn, Jonathan | Thorough restoration being documented on the website. Blister-off repairs to deck. | ||||||
| A183 | 2018 | Aberdeenshire | Restoring | Jonathan Stearn takes over care of boat. After a prolific series of race wins, extensive cruising and many years of DIY maintenance, Jane swallows the Atalanta Anchor. | |||||
| A183 | 1996 | Stearn, Jane | Ted Stearn dies | ||||||
| A183 | 1992 | Yanmar 1GM | |||||||
| A183 | 1975 | Bluster | Stearn, Ted & Jane | Ramsholt, Suffolk | New owner runs Brooksby Hall agricultural college. | ||||
| A183 | 1966 | Thursday's Child | Cox | Cox, JW | Sailing | Masthead, metal | Volvo MB 10A |
AOA Bulletin and Press Appearances
| ArchID | Type | AClass | Category | Ref | Page No | Title | ABoat | ABoat_Name | Author | APages | AComments | APrice | ASort | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 280 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | j. Interior - Mods, Equipment & Gadgetry | 1976-77 | 7 | Modifications to Bluster. 1 Modification, Back Rests, Lee Boards, Fender Board, Gang Plank. | A183 | Bluster | Stearn, EFR & MH | 0 | 2 | 0 | Link | |
| 279 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | k. Exterior - Mods, Equipment & Gadgetry | 1976-77 | 7 | Modifications to Bluster. 1 Modification, 4 Uses: Bow-Roller Pawl, Fender Board, Gang Plank. | A183 | Bluster | Stearn, EFR & MH | 0 | 2 | 0 | Link | |
| 282 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | m. Cruises & Cruising | 1976-77 | 12 | An Eastcoaster Goes West | A183 | Bluster | Stearn J.S. | 1 | 2 | 0 | Link | |
| 297 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | n. AOA Events | 1977-78 | 17 | Atalanta Race 1977 at West Mersea | A183 | Bluster | Stearn M.H. | 1 | 2 | 0 | Link | |
| 310 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | n. AOA Events | 1979-80 | 3 | Annual Atalanta Race | A183 | Bluster | Stearn E. | 1 | 1 | 0 | Link | |
| 354 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | l. History | 1981-82 | 24 | Atalanta | A183 | Bluster | Stearn S. | 1 | 1 | 0 | Link | |
| 378 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | f. Keel Gear | 1983-84 | 22 | Routine Care of Atalanta Keel Mechanism. | A183 | Bluster | Stearn, JS & E | 0 | 1 | 0 | Link | |
| 388 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | m. Cruises & Cruising | 1984-85 | 21 | La Liaison Manche - Ocean, A Breton Canal | A183 | Bluster | Stearn J.S. | 3 | 1 | 0 | Link | |
| 438 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | n. AOA Events | 1990-91 | 2 | West Mersea Rally. | A183 | Bluster | Stearn E | 2 | 2 | 0 | Link | |
| 448 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | n. AOA Events | 1991-92 | 2 | West Mersea Rally. | A183 | Bluster | Stearn E | 2 | 3 | 0 | Link | |
| 493 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | o. General | 1995-96 | 0 | Cover - A183 Bluster at Aldeburgh | A183 | Bluster | 1 | 1 | 0 | Link | ||
| 561 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | n. AOA Events | 2002-03 | 8 | West Mersea Rally | A183 | Bluster | Stearn J | 1 | 1 | 0 | Link | |
| 590 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | m. Cruises & Cruising | 2005-06 | 15 | The AOA Rally | A183 | Bluster | Stearn J | 2 | 1 | 0 | Link | |
| 617 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | n. AOA Events | 2008-09 | 8 | East Coast Rally | A183 | Bluster | Stearn J | 2 | 0 | 0 | Link | |
| 669 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | o. General | 2011-12 | 0 | Cover - A183 Bluster at anchor in the sunset | A183 | Bluster | 1 | 1 | 0 | Link | ||
| 693 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | m. Cruises & Cruising | 2012-13 | 42 | Woodbridge to Conyer | A183 | Bluster | Stearn J | 5 | 1 | 0 | Link | |
| 689 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | n. AOA Events | 2012-13 | 38 | East Coast Rally | A183 | Bluster | Stearn J | 1 | 1 | 0 | Link | |
| 695 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | n. AOA Events | 2013-14 | 23 | East Coast Rally | A183 | Bluster | Stearn J | 1 | 1 | 0 | Link | |
| 708 | Bulletin | 26, T,F,31 | m. Cruises & Cruising | 2014-15 | 48 | Channel crossings and cruising up the Thames | A183 | Bluster | Stearn J | 4 | 2 | 0 | Link |
Trophies
| wdt_ID | trophy | year | awardedto | sailno | boatname | award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| wdt_ID | trophy | year | awardedto | sailno | boatname | award |
| 11 | Coupe Bernard | 1989 | T & J Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Race from Rye to Boulogne - abandoned |
| 53 | Atalanta | 1977 | E. F. R. Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Winner East Coast Race (West Mersea) |
| 55 | Atalanta | 1979 | E. F. R. Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Winner East Coast Race (West Mersea) |
| 61 | Atalanta | 1985 | T. & J. Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Winner East Coast Race (West Mersea) |
| 63 | Atalanta | 1987 | T. & J. Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Winner East Coast Race (West Mersea) |
| 66 | Atalanta | 1990 | T. & J. Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Winner East Coast Race (West Mersea) |
| 67 | Atalanta | 1991 | T. & J. Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Winner East Coast Race (West Mersea) |
| 82 | Atalanta | 2006 | J. Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Winner East Coast Race (West Mersea) |
| 84 | Atalanta | 2008 | J. Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Winner East Coast Race (West Mersea) |
| 87 | Atalanta | 2011 | J. Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Winner East Coast Race (West Mersea) |
| 88 | Atalanta | 2012 | J. Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Winner East Coast Race (West Mersea) |
| 89 | Atalanta | 2013 | J. Stearn | A183 | Bluster | Winner East Coast Race (West Mersea) |