Recent comments from pirates, comrades and partners in crime have been
really helpful. John Almberg (the Unlikely boat builder) suggested a return to an older (and in my view) more
wholesome approach to getting a boat. Finding a local boat builder who knows the
local waters and who can build a suitable vessel from scratch. He mentioned the
designs of Howard Chapple and his idea is
very tempting. There is a something very special about the American boats John
mentions. They were powerful fast and very elegant, sadly few of them came to
the UK, probably because, with a few exceptions, Europe simply didn’t have that
kind of money and/or the appreciation of the ‘new’. For many Europeans ‘old’ is
beautiful, new is simply brash.
Whatever!
I know that if I had the resources to
purchase and maintain one of those ocean greyhounds I would neither hesitate
nor look back.
Still, the notion of commissioning a ‘one off’ vessel is
appealing and I do happen to know a man. I’ll talk to him within the next week
or so.
Meanwhile Michael Arnott has just completed a crossing from Bristol to Lundy
Island and back. 40 miles of open water and some of the fiercest tides in
Europe, he’s written an account of it in comments under my piece about the 'ideal' boat',
once again drawing me towards the Westerly range of boats and re-kindling
interest (yet again) in the Centaur. Maybe I should take a second look?
So, we have a long holiday weekend ahead with an extra day
tagged on for us Brits because the Queen has been on the throne for a
significant length of time, so she’s given everyone a day off. Still got no boat
but we do have a kayak so it’ll be a trip to the end of the estuary and maybe
up river to the truly beautiful French medieval town of Dinan for a glass of
muscadet and a bowl of Moules Frites.
Visited Michael Zessller's blog the other day(A Bone in its Teeth) and was really taken by some
of his Youtube movie clips – taken from a canoe that looks remarkably similar
to mine – except he had a sail and outriggers. Probably cost a fortune BUT maybe, just maybe,
I could knock something together.
Mmm dreaming again
Seaward
Hi David, John has got a good point about getting something that lifts your spirits and I have to say that the Westerly Centaur is not the worlds most beautiful boat. Im going to throw a few more names into. the hat, not that I've seen them in the flesh, probably too deep a draft for you too. Halcyon 27 (damned long keel), debutante(comes in bilge keels, Golden Hinde, big,boat, pricey , projects start at 10K.
ReplyDeleteI envy you both living so close to the sea.
I love your blog sight! Really great, organized and easy to find all kinds of interesting subjects. Great job! I enjoyed reading this too. I look forward to reading more. :-)
ReplyDelete~Albie
Columbia 22
Thanks Michael and Albie, don't know about boats lifting my spirits but you guys certainly do!
ReplyDeleteSeaward
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