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Recent Website Activity
Showing Blog-posts and Forum conversations XX for the last 18 weeks
(28 May 2023 to 02 October 2023)
Boat Blogs and Comments
Recent posts below. Click here to see all blogs
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September 30th, 2023 by
Swallow Yachts has produced stylish and practical water-ballasted yachts for many years. The wood-epoxy construction, rig options, performance and performance have made them popular. And this year they have re-interpreted the briefRead More…
September 17th, 2023 by
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. WillRead More…
September 6th, 2023 by
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…
September 4th, 2023 by
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…
Fantastic! Great to see..
September 1st, 2023 by
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…
Brings back memories.. 1969 I used to have a 14 foot dingy at Tamerton Foliot. Sailing up to Morwe
George Fantastic to see Harrier afloat, and even more so to see the crew getting stuck in! It is a
August 9th, 2023 by
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…
Hi Yeah I can no longer keep her at the current spot and after buying a house I will not have the
Great news that Blue Jackaroo has been sold. The new owner has plans to get her afloat again for ne
July 29th, 2023 by
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…
Simon: It looks like there will be a very strong case to have Diaphony brought into the inaugural
Simon Diaphony really does look great. I am really looking forward to seeing her on the water. N
July 29th, 2023 by
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…
Looking very clean
July 29th, 2023 by
With the introduction of the Atalanta, was Fairey Marine a ‘disruptor’? Jim Sumberg and Nick PhillipsMARCH 2023 In today’s business world being recognised as a ‘disruptor’ is a badge of honour (andRead More…
July 16th, 2023 by
The cruising log is a unique literary genre, and can take many forms. Part fact and part fiction, a log can be as tedious as a week in the Horse Latitudes and/orRead More…
July 7th, 2023 by
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…
Hello sailors, Great photos and pleased that two boats made the rendezvous. Hope that you made it
Good diversion! I hope you enjoyed Ramsholt. Sad that young George Collins is no longer around. Jane
July 5th, 2023 by
**** WITHDRAWN **** FAIREY FULMAR 20 ft Sitting in Owlesbury near Winchester. A true trailer sailor. Ready to sail this summer. Petter 6HP marine diesel engine, with electric start. (Recent service) RollerRead More…
June 23rd, 2023 by
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…
Very smart.
June 5th, 2023 by
Spot the poor seamanship! Title: Sugar Plum June 23-684c89f2
Hi Greg, I'm stumped! There's a boat following Sugar Plum You've left the boarding ladder beh
Eleven out of ten for Mike. I can not stop the yellow boat following me. I do not have a board
No motoring cone?
No sails up so no cone required!
June 3rd, 2023 by
Sugar Plum doing some challenging pilotage in the North Channel of Loch Moidart. Title: North Channel Moidart-3a98cb90
Forum Topics (shaded) and Replies
Does anyone have a bulls eye deck light fitted to their forehatch to give some light in the forepeak? If Yes are there any drawbacks i.e. does it make the hatch tooRead More…
And the inside view
Greg, Here is the set-up on Helene, Jim
Greg, There is one on Helene. It is a small one I picked up at the boatyard. No disadvantages, and adds little if anything to the weight. I will send a photo,Read More…
Having been ignominiously dragged onboard from what was to be a pleasant swim in Studland Bay and avoid a repeat of the incident – ideas please as to the best way to temporarilyRead More…
Jim, That’s excellent. Off now to start on swimming ladder extention. Sea water temperature off Dorset coast at the moment is worth hanging around in. Many thanks for the photos. DougRead More…
Jim managed to find a brief moment to demonstrate the ladder whilst using it for its other purpose on Helene – tucking in the 4th reef which which is a long wayRead More…
I should have thought of that as I have plenty of space there too. My problem is first getting into the cockpit from the inflatable alongside not helped by lifejacket crouch straps Read More…
Greg, Helene’s lives under the aft end of the port-side cockpit bench, accessed via the aft cabin. Jim
I do not have a ladder but I have seen them on other Atalantas. Where do you stow such a bulky item?
Jim, that will be very helpful. Many thanks, Doug
Doug, Helene’s ladder has an extension that gives an extra two steps. Very easy to board (and store). I will send a picture later in the week, Jim
The latest Classic Boat mag. has a couple of centrfolds announcing the launch and sea trials of the Fairey Sable 19 ft speedboat. The builder and owner can use the Fairey marqueRead More…
Two whipstaff issues : 1. Steel yoke connection at bottom of whipstaff digging into “threshold” of after cabin companion way – no matter how much I try to remember to lean itRead More…
Thanks Mike that is helpful. Now considering making a version of that athwart ship ‘protector’ out of stainless steel. I’ll let you know how I get on. Many thanks.
Does this help? Jim
Thanks Mike, where could I find pictures of the sleeve and metal flange ?
Doug, 1. Not sure I understand the problem. Am I correct in thinking that the ‘yoke’ is gouging the woodwrk on the for’d side of the aft cabin bulkhead? In which caseRead More…
I have a copy of the book “Rescue From the Skies” the story of the Airborne Lifeboat. If anyone wants it for free contact me on snipefield394@btinternet.com
Could someone tell me what,s happening and how to fix it?
Oxidisation of the original bronze screws around the keel boxes seems to be the issue in the photo. Over time the whole screw can degrade and allow moisture ingress. If it isRead More…
I have picked up two very poorly Ducklings to rescue One item I really need is a gunmetal sheet horse i could buy some 3/8 bronze rod and have someone bend andRead More…
Hello John, Sadly we don’t have a Duckling sheet horse in the AOA spare parts barn. Have you tried groups like this: https://www.facebook.com/groups/859726647407445 https://www.facebook.com/groups/boatscrapyarduk https://www.facebook.com/groups/sittingthererottinginaboatyard https://www.facebook.com/groups/uffafox Richard
This is what the horse looks like
May 5th 2023 by Gregory Manning
Trevor, As I mentioned, my first failure was of cable of the original spec, that is galvanized wire spun over a naturel fibre core. Having stainless steel cables is therefore not originalRead More…
Greg “Alas I dare not leave it down” – I didn’t suggest you should – leaving it up isn’t the issue. “likely increase the movement” – why do you think this isRead More…
Thanks Trevor, I am sure that the fact that I have the rudder up and on a swinging mooring is the cause of the problem. Alas I dare not leave itRead More…
My last post contained errors. The errors don’t change the outcome but for anyone with a vaguely scientific background there are glaring. So to correct it (I tried editing the post butRead More…
I have just carried out a few rough calculations. If the tiller is 1 metre long. If you can exert a pull about the same as your weight on the tillerRead More…
Oh – I forgot to mention that Calista is kept on a mooring where there is 1M at low water springs, so she is always left with the blade raised, and theRead More…
Greg, I have never had any problems with my steering control cables. I suspect that they are original. I have used them for 25 years without any problems. They are still inRead More…
Jim, Thanks for the feedback and I do see the sense in what you say. Alas I do have a potential problem with the depth of water at LWS so I doRead More…
Greg, Last week I moved Helene to a swing mooring off Wrabness, about half way between Manningtree and Harwich. There is plenty of water and it moves quite fast. Over a coupleRead More…