04Feb/25
Elle for sale – offers considered
A169 “Elle” I have owned A169 since 2011 during which time she has been restored /refitted and constantly upgraded as detailed below. She is currently in barn storage at Dell Quay, Chichester,Read More…
16Jan/25
Reflections on dropping the mast
Thanks to Simon West (A5 Diaphony) for helping – we managed to drop the mast (literally) onto the deck and not into the water (nearly!). Colchide does not have the handy frameRead More…
11Jan/25
Elle A169 for sale – offers considered
I have owned A169 since 2011 during which time she has been restored /refitted and constantly upgraded as detailed below. She is currently in barn storage at Dell Quay, Chichester, near toRead More…
04Jan/25
Orwell to Oxford
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 theRead More…
18Dec/24
Keel mechanics refurbished
Curlews keels and mechanisms have been removed and restored, fortunately a straightforward job as the stirrups had already been upgraded to stainless. The keels are in good condition but have shot blastedRead More…
24Oct/24
Classic Boat
Great article on Fairey plus a bit of Fame for Richard James!! [Webmaster addition: You should be able to read the article in the box on the right. If not you canRead More…
20Oct/24
End of season lift out at Dell Quay
This year I opted for the Dell Quay Sailing Club lift-out instead of recovery on the trailer. Some pictures of Elle being lifted on her own internal strops. The mast was loweredRead More…
16Oct/24
Secret weapon – British Seagull Outboard
Elle has an 8kW Lynch electric motor driving a 13 inch folding prop. The current (no pun intended) battery capacity is 150 amp hours. This is fine for manoeuvres in – outRead More…
02Oct/24
Recommended Atalanta Trailer – BSP TEX
I have recently taken delivery of a new purpose made trailer for A142 Sugar Plum after my previous one was written off in a “no fault” accident in May. The trailer wasRead More…
16Sep/24
Yanmar engine rebuilt
Engine refurbished rebuilt and repainted. Yanmar GM10 Title: IMG_2364
16Sep/24
Renovation
Old paint removal almost complete, very sound woodwork. next stage keel removal and repainting. Title: Stripping A68 HullCaption: Stripping A68 Hull Title: Stripping A68 HullCaption: Stripping A68 Hull Title: A68 Hull restorationCaption: StrippingRead More…
09Sep/24
Sommer 2024
Title: FB_IMG_1725541032452 Title: IMG_20240831_202046 Title: IMG_20240906_150445 Title: PXL_20240722_162155518 Title: PXL_20240726_181837788~2
A104 Condition Assessment
Arosa has been for sale for a while. We carried out a brief review of her condition in January 2025 to understand the best course of action. Hull. Was in better conditionRead More…
24Aug/24
Sailing Gypsy to Newfoundland
This year I turn 70 and my daughter signed me up for Storyworth, which sends a question a week to prompt memories. This week’s question was: What is your favorite storyRead More…
23Aug/24
Colchide Propulsion Options!
Having been frustrated at my inability to get up the Hamble against the tide in full flow, I have set my mind to finding ways to resolve the fact that the originalRead More…
22Aug/24
A31-9 Destiny spotted alive and well by passing friend of the AOA
We were sent these two photos by members of the OGA, Clare and Pete Thomas, who spotted Destiny as they travelled homewards after the Dutch OGA 20th Anniversary celebrations. Thank Pete andRead More…
21Jul/24
Elle A169 – Dell Quay 2024
Title: A169 Elle – view of mooring from Dell Quay Sailing ClubCaption: 50 metres to club jetty Title: A169 Elle Dell Quay mooring 2 Title: A169 Elle hoisted aloft Title: A169 ElleRead More…
29May/24
Sailing again
I’m very pleased to report – we are sailing again. Me, my kids and my friends Colin and Ross have just been out this afternoon, after sailing Zambra round to Queenborough onRead More…
19May/24
Forepeak
Sugar Plum has a new bullseye light in her forepeak. What a difference that has made.
06May/24
Zambra leaves the workshop
It’s exciting times in Kent, as Zambra is making the final stages of her long journey back to the sea. After ten long years of intermittent restoration, it was wonderful to seeRead More…
31Mar/24
A124 To Friesland
A124 travelled to Friesland for a new life sailing in the Ems estuary and around the Friesian Islands. She joins A112 and A90 who are already in the area. The journey wasRead More…
13Feb/24
Atalanta Prototype Acquired by Cowes Classic Boat Museum
A1 Atalanta was delivered to the Classic Boat Museum in Cowes by Mike Dixon and Nick Phillips at the end of last week. This is great news for the Museum and forRead More…
14Jan/24
Bordeaux submarine pen article (A35)
Saw this article in atlantic magazine. June 2001 edition. Thank you very much to Mike for taking the trouble to post the article on the website. We are always excited to receiveRead More…
08Jan/24
A161 Amber Ellen creates Facebook Stir
Amber Ellen was spotted by a sailing enthusiast in Aberdeen. They posted a photo and there ensued a variety of comments. It appears that whilst most are appreciative of Atalantas there areRead More…
20Dec/23
31-4 Gellie – a ‘new’ engine for 2024
This follows on from Ian’s excellent four-page article in the 2023-2024 Bulletin: Ian had left Brough Haven in good time for the Uffa Fox 50 year event in the IOW on 20th AugustRead More…
Cleaning Bilge
I know I have asked similar about ‘Bilgex’ for my bilge below engine, now that engine is out. I have Bilgexed , but more needs to be done before applying bilge paint.Read More…
02Oct/23
Small victories
New sea toilet finally found for Zambra! After many hours trying to chase out holes in the rusted u-bend of the Simpson Lawrence sea toilet, I found one on eBay in aRead More…
17Sep/23
A68 Curlew Atalanta For Sale
Currently located at Glasson Sailing Club, Glasson Dock, Lancaster. Much loved Atalanta. Selling as part of my late father-in-law’s estate. Last registered 2000.Not been sailed since the beginning of COVID-19. Will tryRead More…
06Sep/23
‘Sailor and Cowboy’ – book added to Archive
We came across this book recently by Finn Ziem after someone found his Youtube video about crossing the Atlantic – twice – in 1980 and 1981. Book description: This is the story ofRead More…
04Sep/23
A170 Butterfly across the Atlantic 1980
All images on this page are the copyright of Finn Ziem, from within the Youtube video below. We have just heard about Norwegian Finn Ziem’s double crossing of the Atlantic Ocean inRead More…
01Sep/23
Afloat
This year we finally made it back onto the water. A berth on the Tamar became available in early August. This was followed by a rush to finish a few jobs onRead More…
09Aug/23
Helene is for sale – £4500 or best offer – SOLD
A124 Helene — a British Classic with a Big Personality — is offered for sale. She is sound, well looked after and a pleasure to sail. Very comfortable cockpit. Helene has benefitedRead More…
Blue Jackaroo for sale.
Blue Jackaroo for sale on Ebay for a pound
29Jul/23
Restoration update pt2
Busy weekend actually bolting fittings on.. such a good feeling ! Helpful working where I do ,enables me to think through jobs and get them right first time. On a different note Read More…
29Jul/23
Restoration update
Final fitment of Engine bearers Brackets and nuts and bolts all in 316 s/s. Chain plates trial fitted Today fitted only one tricky and messy job with Butyl sealer..I have found brakeRead More…
07Jul/23
Alde & Ore Rally – Diversion
We left Wrabness at 4 on Thursday and spent the night in Hamford Water. Weather fantastic and the Backwaters magic. This morning we sailed out and up the coast choosing to divertRead More…
05Jul/23
FULMAR Trailer sailer For Sale £3750
FAIREY FULMAR 20 ft Sitting in Owlesbury near Winchester. Compact, trailable, sailing cruiser with remarkable internal space, having four 6ft 6in berths Head room 5ft 9in. Ready to sail this summer. PetterRead More…
23Jun/23
Two Atalantas on the River Stour together on Midsummer’s day
A89 Colchide and A124 Helene arranged to meet on the River Stour on Midsummer’s day. Is this the first time two Atalantas have sailed together this year? Title: 21 June 2023 (16)-9bb4654cCaption:Read More…
Challenging
Sugar Plum doing some challenging pilotage in the North Channel of Loch Moidart. Title: North Channel Moidart-3a98cb90
06May/23
Helene’s cabin update
This spring the painters and decorators had a go at updating Helene’s cabin. Interesting comparison with Nick’s 2015 photo below. Title: 2015 08 Helene East Coast 021-f6d16bbeCaption: August 2015
03May/23
New mylar keel gaskets
Following work this spring to address water ingress along the bottom of Helene’s keel boxes, new slot gaskets were installed using Hawk 150mm mylar gasket material obtained from RS Sailing. The badlyRead More…
30Apr/23
Feli broken up.
A48 Feli has been broken up. She sank at her moring in 2015 during a storm. I got her re floated and took her out of the water. Unfortunately the stern wasRead More…
23Mar/23
Centre line repairs
Over the last several years water has leaked into Helene’s forward cabin. The amount was relatively small – more annoying than anything else – but something was not right. Everything pointedRead More…
12Feb/23
A77 under sail
Photo of A77 Blue Goose sailing. Title: A77 under sail in USA1.1-8758af51Caption: Out for a sail
Mallette promoted anew to restoring and still married/spliced.
Thanks for the resources over the years. Word to the wise: It would have been easier to buy one in better condition! Should you undertake a similar restoration be prepared for ChristsRead More…
22Jan/23
WINTER COVER – DIY
I did learn before I bought A90 that the enemy of an Atalanta was not sea water but rain. So off to Sturminster Newton and Hansons’ massive material warehouse. Then bumping backRead More…
30Dec/22
Repairs to top sides
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 goneRead More…
27Nov/22
Does anyone own Baby Seal?
Hi. Does anyone own Baby Seal? I would love to hear that she is still around. My Uncle, John Berry of HM Coastguard in Margate, Spurn Point and Liverpool, bought this boatRead More…
26Nov/22
A3 Andana and A137 Baby Seal
This photo was found in my late Uncles records. He owned Baby Seal and look like this might be a rare photo of A3…!
First owner
My father Dr Francis George Elvins was the first owner, from 1960 until 1971 when he died. He kept her moored on Wareham Quay, Dorset where he lived. He crossed the channelRead More…