24Jul/21
The times they are a changing, dear Maurice
To escape the worst of the expected heatwave I thought I would visit what has quickly become my favourite anchorage, and do some relaxed mud listening. After a beat down the StourRead More…
02Jul/21
Repairing the Split in the Topsides
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 theRead More…
12Jun/21
Repairs around the rubbing strake
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. WaterRead More…
10Jun/21
A184, Aquilo II, £5,500
Aquilo II is in a barn on her trailer near Bridport in Dorset. She is possibly the last ever 26ft Atalanta to be launched, which she was in 1969. She has beenRead More…
A165 Sloeberry was Mavista pre 1996
My father Dr.Peter Ewart Burden re-named this boat. We nearly lost her and our lives once-sailing from Ramsgate on a halcyon day ,force 3 forecast to be caught in squall. My husbandRead More…
11May/21
Bluster Progress – Removing Rusty Iron and Making Good
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 withoutRead More…
02May/21
Keel bolt covers: “Sikaflex – Ugh!”
This will be my last post on Helene’s Boat Blog as owner. In fact although started before the sale it is being published after handover to Jim, the new owner. Due toRead More…
A passenger ride in an Atalanta aged 9 started me sailing
I was spring cleaning A89 Colchide yesterday, when I was approached by a gentleman. “Is that an Atalanta” “Oh, I had a passenger ride in an Atalanta, aged 9, in the earlyRead More…
05Apr/21
Stem capping strip repair- rot in forward part of keel
A179 Quinteffence has been laid up on her trailer for the last 8 years as life has not allowed time to spend sailing (and maintaining her). She has been stored under aRead More…
25Mar/21
Furlough Work cont
Made a mtg for the python drive from 19mm Ply /Mahogany and 2.5 mm A4 stainless.. A new propshaft from Clements engineering made from Duplex with couplings for conversion from 3/4″to PythonRead More…
22Mar/21
A155 Miranda – Still Alive
A chance contact with the original owners of T10 Calista led to a photo of Calista with A155 Calista in the background which, with thanks to the AOA bloodhound which is ourRead More…
21Mar/21
Well rotted
Occasionally walk past this poor old boat at Newham on the Truro River. I imagine she has been abandoned. Title: IMG_2181-49b2968f Title: IMG_2182-531749c3
14Mar/21
Bluster’s Keels and Steelwork Removed
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 ofRead More…
24Feb/21
Steering Gear Wear and Corrosion
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, butRead More…
09Feb/21
Engine Bearers and Thrust Bearing
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 muchRead More…
26Jan/21
Bluster’s 1GM10 Serviced and painted
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 muchRead More…
22Jan/21
A90 – AWAY WITH THE TRAILER
After changing A90’s livery, time to go for the keels. But removal of the trailer had to come first. Travis Perkins first had to deliver some railway sleepers up from Newport ,Read More…
16Jan/21
Mike Dixon and A1 nominated for Classic Boat Award – Vote Now!
Hello everyone. You may have read the Classic Boat article published in the November edition last year about A1 and her restsoration. The article aimed to bring together the historic place A1Read More…
14Jan/21
A90 – CHANGING COLOURS
Risking the opprobrium of AOA members I changed A90 ‘s traditional Atalanta livery of Blue & White to that of my very first yacht, a Red & White Silhouette Mark II. TheRead More…
08Jan/21
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
On the 8th February 2019 Dominic Dobson brings A90 all the way from Ilkley Moor to North Dorset and a bag full of ‘The Patience of a Saint’ ! Arriving after darkRead More…
03Jan/21
A182 Skimmer – Restoration Project (Virginia Beach, US)
A182 Skimmer has been in storage in Virginia Beach, USA, since 1985 in a tent, and been kept dry. She is now looking for someone to complete her restoration. She is lyingRead More…
28Dec/20
Getting Bluster’s Engine Out
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 halfRead More…
18Dec/20
Diaphony A5 on going work
A few pictures of Deck and a illustration on forming precise curves which are then laminated. This was done a few years ago Picture of mast spreader bracket to Fairey item incorporatingRead More…
27Nov/20
How A105 became ‘Taku Maru’
We were delighted to hear from the son of Taku Maru’s original owner, Philip Booth, about his recollections of her and how she got her name. I am really delighted to seeRead More…
21Nov/20
A166 Hullabaloo For Sale – £400 in boatyard on Portland
Through a series of unfortunate experiences A166 is in need of a new home. She is in Clark’s Boatyard on Portland. Contact Tim or Denise at 01305 860265. Although originally covered theseRead More…
21Nov/20
Atalanta 26 For Sale – A161 Amber Ellen
Atalanta 26 for sale – A161 Amber Ellen. Based near Ullapool Amber Ellen is offered with a trailer and some interesting modifications including wheel steering. With varnished hull and decks she now needs some attention and TLC. The exterior needs re-finishing and decks may need some repairs. The hull is in sound condition. Amber Ellen has had some interesting modifications through the years including raised tubular toe rails and wheel steering.
20Nov/20
A140 Kate Thomas – Two Views of Ownership in the 1990s
A recent tidy up by one of the AOA ex Bulletin Editors brought to light a new document written by an owner’s wife offering a different perspective on the ownership, sailing and trailing of an Atalanta.
09Nov/20
Repairs to Bluster’s Bow
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 theRead More…
26Oct/20
User contributed photo – T1 Nuru Albahar in the early 1980s
Titania T1 was owned by the Dixon’s in the early 1980s, in Ireland. Jim Dixon kindly posted this photo of her. Title: T1 Nuru Albahar in the 1980sCaption: T1 Nuru Albahar inRead More…
13Oct/20
Classic Boat A1 Design and Restoration Review
With the completion of A1 Atalanta last year it seemed like a golden opportunity for the Association to have another push at publicising our excellent wards. A1 was a very special boatRead More…
13Oct/20
12 October 2020 – A154 Deannie Obituary
The decision to scrap A154 was taken in October 2020. To all intents and purposes A154 is no more although she lives on through parts salvaged by the AOA to be usedRead More…
05Oct/20
A154 Deannie – Last chance to save her
It is planned for Deannie to be scrapped over the weekend of 9-11 October. This week is the last chance if anyone wishes to save her. I you are seriously interested andRead More…
28Sep/20
Bluster’s Foredeck Repairs
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 fairedRead More…
28Sep/20
A115 Mara For Sale – £800
I have taken the decision to let A115 go to a new owner. Sadly I don’t have the time to work on her where she is as there is no power andRead More…
28Sep/20
F3 Dunsheen Restoration Project
I hope there is a competent person out there who would take on the restoration of F3 Dunsheen and sail this lovely boat. She is a good example of this classic classRead More…
02Aug/20
A124 Helene For Sale – £6500 incl.trailer SOLD
Lying in Ipswich. Please contact Nick for details by email or by phone on 07711 088762. A124 is for sale to allow to pursue my Atalanta and sailing aspirations in different directions.Read More…
28Jul/20
Cockpit Restoration
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 theRead More…
23Jul/20
A124 meets A1 – not for the first time?
A124 Helene was launched at last on Monday (with much thanks to Mike Dixon for driving miles to assist). It felt good to have water under the keel again and looking forwardRead More…
21Jul/20
T4 about to be scrapped
Titania T4 will be chopped up tomorrow, 22 July 2020 at boatscrapyard.com in Gosport. If you want any bits from her, please phone Steve on 023 9298 4666 ASAP or contact LukeRead More…
18Jul/20
Bluster Refit Progress
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. Title: Side Deck ProgressCaption:Read More…
04Jul/20
Aft pushpit
Not sure I every shared any photos of the new aft pushpit. This push pit works by providing storage for a modern life ring, Seago lift raft complete with easy release (justRead More…
Replacement keel bolts
A 31/11 has 316 L stainless steel keel bolts and controling plates (Posted by F O’Riordain using the AOA Website ‘Guest’ posting facility) Boat Name (if known): Petesark
11Jun/20
Renovation update 11th June 2020
Replacement engine arrived today now the fun begins fitting it Nanni 14hp with heat exchanger..Sorting out bearers tomorrow. My New Mast which I picked up on holiday in Cornwall a few yrsRead More…
11Jun/20
Side Deck Strengthening
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,Read More…
10Jun/20
A55 For Sale on eBay as restoration project
A55 is for sale on eBay (finishes 14th June at 14.23) as a restoration project. She has been stored in a barn for a few years. Condition hard to tell exactly fromRead More…
drg number 24833
Hello fellow owners I am looking for drg no 24833 Mast head rig metal mast are they available still and how much.. regards Simon
06Jun/20
Furlough work
3 months Furlough Had to do something Full speed ahead on Diaphony working on the keel boxes Mtg brackets blasted and Galvernised and painted with Epoxy Primer as are the Keels justRead More…
23May/20
A5 Rudder
Mk1 Rudder in very good condition has finally found its way on to Diaphony A5 . And have lowered the top pintle down about 2 inches, also replaced lower pintle with aRead More…
21May/20
Scoop – A89’s secret weapon for East Coast Race
Our East Coast representative has sent us this scoop from secret waters somewhere near Harwich. Getting the Atalanta to go faster has pre-occupied many in recent years (check out this thread). Well,Read More…
20May/20
A160 Moyra video of sailing holiday in 1968
There’s a video of this boat A160 ‘Moyra’ from an 8mm film I made in 1968. David Clover. Read about the history of the London Sailing Project, now Rona Trust, on theirRead More…