Seven Super Yachts for Sale at Apolloduck.co.uk

 

Fairey Atalanta

 

Friendship Sloop 28

 

Gaff Cutter - George Glasson

 

Golant Gaffer

 

2002 Looe Lugger

 

1948 Spittsgatter 815

 

Tumlare Classic Yacht 'Susmar'

These yachts are advertised for sale at Apolloduck.co.uk today, 13^th January, 2015. Links to them may shortly become defunct, but photos copied from the adverts will remain here - by courtesy of Apolloduck.co.uk and their advertisers.

I’ve chosen these lovely yachts because they are of interest to me, not that I have money to buy them, but because I like them. The most expensive, at £65,000, is an Alan Pape modern rendering in steel of an 1895 Looe Lugger. The cheapest, a beautiful Tumlare designed by Kund Reimer of Sweden, is a favourite. I first learned of Tumlares when reading Adlard Coles’ ‘Heavy Weather Sailing’, in which he describes surviving a gale aboard one in the English Channel.

Another of my favourites is Uffa Fox’s Fairey Atalanta. Two are available at Apolloduck, but the one featured here does not reveal the asking price.

The Golant Gaffer is rather special on account of her hull being built by a professional for himself, but for reasons unknown, he did not finish her. The current owner completed her to a high standard, and she’s only been in commission for two seasons. You need but look at the photos to appreciate the quality of workmanship. If I had the cash, this would be the boat for me , and furthermore she’s virtually on my doorstep at Leigh-on-Sea!

Links

Apolloduck

http://www.apolloduck.co.uk

2002 Looe Lugger £65,000

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=273481

Atalanta 26 – designed by Uffa Fox - Price not quoted

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/advert.phtml?id=379987

1948 Spittsgatter 815 £8,000

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=336766

Golant Gaffer £11,500

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/advert.phtml?id=374450

Gaff Cutter – George Glasson £15,000

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=272662

Tumlare Classic Yacht SUSMAR £6,000

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=380762

1978 Friendship Sloop 28ft Gaff Cutter £18,500

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=394412  

Interesting Sailing Boats for Sale at Boats and Outboards

*Selway Fisher Petite Brise 16

Deben Lugger

Dr. Meggy

Custom Gaff Rigged Yawl

Woottens Bridge Ibiza

Gweek Quay Classic Mayfly

Cygnus Marine Oysterman

**Nigel Irens Roxane

Sea Otter 15

Tideway

Character Boats Whammel

I suspect several readers of this blog enjoy trawling through ‘Boats for Sale’ websites. This morning I’ve had an hour or so to spare for doing that very thing, and looking at the Boats and Outboards website I’ve picked out several that are of academic interest to me. I emphasize ‘academic’, because virtually all of them are beyond my reach, but more so, with my present disposition I have no desire to own any of them.

At the lower end of the price range, the Selway Fisher Petite Brise* at £2,500 would appear to represent good value.

For me, the most exciting boat is the Nigel Irens Roxane,** but I believe sailing her solo would not be easy, on account of having to handle up to five sheets. Her two foresails are not self-tacking.

Note:

Links to these ‘for sale’ boats are likely to become defunct within days, but the above photos will remain on this blog, courtesy of Boats and Outboards.

Links

Boats and Outboards

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk

Character Boats for Sale £8,750

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Daysailer-for-sale/character-boats/14238#kWb30tikXSqEs51s.97

Gweek Quay Classic Mayfly £16,750

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Classic-sailing-boats-for-sale/gweek-quay-classic-mayfly/13143#RhB7zZoTFEVZx5e3.97

**Nigel Irens – Roxane for sale in London £47,500

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Classic-sailing-boats-for-sale/nigel-irens-roxane/55481#XjXof7LbhTKCresj.97

Sea Otter 15’ for sale in Suffolk £7,750

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Classic-sailing-boats-for-sale/sea-otter-15-/19272#2GMQ0YHOdQ6YJiYL.97

Deben Lugger for sale in Suffolk £13,500

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Classic-sailing-boats-for-sale/deben-lugger-/1804#WmHshp3WGtV2Dwz6.97

Dr. Meggy – Classic Bermudan cutter for sale in Devon £11,950

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Classic-sailing-boats-for-sale/dr-meggy-classic-bermudan-cutter/51396#MtKxPY2ySPtH7bm1.97

Woottens Wooten Bridge Ibiza for sale in Cheshire £3,500

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Classic-sailing-boats-for-sale/woottens-wooten-bridge-ibiza/16831#6bQmUfvMtDyOXeuW.97

Custom Gaff Rigged Yawl for sale in Lincolnshire £30,000

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Classic-sailing-boats-for-sale/custom-gaff-rigged-yawl/13642#AQttmfh3icPwpyJB.97

Cygnus Marine – Oysterman 22 for sale in Devon £21,500

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Cutters-for-sale/cygnus-marine-oysterman-22/27473#3jjbAxCR7joKz8gm.97

*Selway Fisher – Petite Brise 16 for sale in Suffolk £2,500

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Sailing-dinghies-for-sale/selway-fisher-petite-brise-16/42225#mluQEo9WrxfUeq3T.97

Tideway 12 Deluxe for sale in Rutland £4,750

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Sailing-dinghies-for-sale/tideway-12-deluxe/13550#Cir89jcb1SfXPd6l.97

Lifeboat Rescue – A Painting by Mark Myers

Here’s a scan of another Christmas card sent to me by a friend. It depicts a reproduction of a Mark Myer painting of, ‘The Dunwich Lifeboat Ann Ferguson’s Services to the Flora of Aland.’ You can read about the rescue by clicking the second illustration to enlarge it.

Mark is an accomplished self-taught American artist who immigrated to the UK and now lives in South-west England. He specializes in marine art, working in a variety of media, including oils, acrylics, watercolours and inks.

Links

Nine Paintings by Mark Myers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/mark-richard-myers

Mark Myers Paintings and Prints

http://www.artmarine.co.uk/markmyers.aspx

Mark Myers Art Collection

http://blueworldwebmuseum.org/showall.php?id=107

Kirsten Gallery Mark Myers Paintings

http://blueworldwebmuseum.org/showall.php?id=107

Mark Myers Louisa Paintings

http://www.flat-brokefilms.co.uk/html/old_louisa_page.html

Genealogy Archives Dunwich, Suffolk

http://ukga.org/england/Suffolk/towns/Dunwich.html

RNLI

http://rnli.org/Pages/default.aspx

Power and Glory Spindrift 1868

 

Christmas Card - Power and Glory 'Spindrift'

 

An old postcard depicting 'Spindrift'

Another reproduction of a painting of 'Spindrift'

Christmas is over, and I’ve been sorting through greetings cards received from family and friends. I was taken with a card, on the front of which there’s a reproduction of a painting by Derek G. M. Gardner of the tea clipper Spindrift. She is shown running before heavy seas as she leaves Foochow, bound for London in 1868. Taking only 97 days to complete the voyage, she was deemed to be the fastest clipper that year, having taken less time than Ariel, Sir Lancelot and Taeping, all of them setting out a day before her.

Gardner’s oil painting, ‘Power and Glory’, portrays Sprindrift under full sail, gloriously running before the wind, and a Chinese junk making to windward. The state of the water would indicate a good Force 8 or more, which begs the question, why is the junk not reefed? Assuming Gardner’s painting represents the truth, Captain Middleton, master of the vessel, must have felt supremely confident to carry full sail in his endeavour to beat his rivals. Without examining his logbook we shall never know.

This Christmas card was sold to raise money for The Mission to Seafarers, details of which may be obtained by visiting their website.*

Links

Spindrift

http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Clippers/Spindrift(1867).html

SV Spindrift (Wreck Site)

http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?118133

Download Postcard of Spindrift

http://digital.slv.vic.gov.au/view/action/nmets.do?DOCCHOICE=80850.xml&dvs=1420746943973~269&locale=en_GB&search_terms=&adjacency=&divType=&usePid1=true&usePid2=true

Spindrift – London Art News

http://coxsoft.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/spindrift.html

The Glittering Spindrift Running before the Wind – Art Daily.org

http://artdaily.com/news/69225/-The-Glittering-Spindrift-Running-Before-the-Wind--sails-at-Bonhams-Marine-Auction

Tea Clippers

http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Clippers/Teaclippers.html

*Mission to Seafarers

http://www.missiontoseafarers.org/  

One World – One Mission

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C8f4zIHJPw#t=198

Alex Thomson – Incredible Yachtsman

 

As regards long distance single-handed yacht racing I’ve always admired Mike Golding and Alex Thomson; both are British sailors. They competed in the 2012/13 Vendée Globe Single-handed Yacht Race around the world. Mike finished in 6^th place and Alex took a well earned 3^rd place.**

As I write, Mike with his co-skipper Pepe Ribes, aboard Hugo Boss, lead the pack in the Barcelona  (two-handed) World Race.* Unlike the other leaders, they sailed east of the Canary Islands with little advantage. In fact Bernard Stamm and Jean Le Cam aboard Cheminées Poujoulat are close on their heels - just 3 miles behind. This is like dinghy racing on a gigantic scale for three months of sustained effort, each yacht covering those astern.  If slower yachts lag behind, they will most likely experience different wind and sea conditions to those upfront, and they may be slowed further by light winds or they may experience stormy weather.  Of course, leaders may find themselves trying to break through areas where winds are light; meanwhile, boats behind have favourable winds and rapidly catch up.

Tactics and experience play a big part; therefore I shall be interested in seeing how things go. I shall be monitoring progress over the coming weeks and I am looking forward to reading reports from competitors on official websites, Twitter and Facebook.

Links

*Barcelona World Race

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/barcelona-world-race-201415.html

Alex Thomson Racing - Week 1 Video Update

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1022071947806857&set=vb.124956890851705&type=2&theater

Barcelona World Race – Official Website

http://www.barcelonaworldrace.org/en/  

**Vendée Globe Finish January 2013

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/vendee-globe-finish.html

Tread Lightly, Designed by John Welsford

I was recently asked for my thoughts on John Welsford’s Tread Lightly. She’s a 13’ 4” by 5’ 5” cat yawl for one person to cruise sheltered waters such as those of the Thames Estuary, and the tidal rivers of Essex and Suffolk.

When I built Micro* I was in correspondence with John and he asked if I would be interested in a design he was working on, a larger single-hander he named Tread Lightly. I was, and he sent me a set of plans for publicizing on my Small Sailboats website. I was considering building something similar, but was very much taken with Matt Layden’s Paradox, and in preference to Tread Lightly I built ‘Faith’**.

I opted for the heavier displacement boat and I liked the concept of being able to sail her from within her cabin. In my opinion she was more powerful and better suited for the sort of long distance coastal cruising I had in mind. More than that, Paradox seemed simpler to build, although in fact it took an awful lot of effort. I preferred the single furling lugsail to the combination rig of TL’s balanced lugsail and a sharpie spritsail mizzen.  The 5’ 5” beam of TL made her impossible to build in my garage, and that was another reason why I chose Paradox with a beam of 4’ 1/2 “. 

*http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/micros-cruises.html

**http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/faith-paradox-sailboat.html

Links

Tread Lightly

http://www.jwboatdesigns.co.nz/plans/treadlightly/index.htm

Tread Lightly

http://boatplans.cc/john-welsford/tread-lightly/

Tread Lightly

 http://fockleroutpost.homestead.com/TreadLightly.html

Building Tread Lightly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UEOXkYKetY

My New Boat, a John Welsford Tread Lightly

http://www.tacking-outrigger.com/treadlightly.html

Basic Materials List – Tread Lightly

http://www.jwboatdesigns.co.nz/plans/treadlightly/materials.htm

Tread Lightly

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/projects/treadlightly/index.htm

My John Welsford Tread Lightly – I think I need to make changes

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?160106-My-John-Welsford-Treadlightly-think-i-need-to-make-changes

Second hand boat stuff from a John Welsford Tread Lightly

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=166874

Tread Lightly Epoxy Kit – Duckworks Builder’s Supply

http://duckworksbbs.com/supplies/kits/jw/treadlightly/index.htm

Tread Lightly Build Photos

http://s193.photobucket.com/user/dscobra/library/Tread%20Lightly%20Build#/user/dscobra/library/Tread%20Lightly%20Build?sort=2&page=1&_suid=1420574904928015062495807056858

Scamp vs Tread Lightly

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?127851-SCAMP-vs-Tread-Lightly

Frank Cowper – Victorian Yachtsman

 

'Lady Harvey'

While exploring Twitter I found this link:

Frank Cowper – the Forefather of Modern Cruising

http://www.pbo.co.uk/cruising/frank-cowper-forefather-modern-cruising/

I hadn’t realised the extent of Frank Cowper’s influence in popularizing yacht cruising as a worthwhile and exciting pastime. Other pioneers of that era in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries include E.F. Knight, Claude Worth, R. T. McMullen and Erskine Childers.

Frank owned a number of yachts: the ‘Lady Harvey’, the ketch ‘Undine 11’ that he designed and she became his favourite. After selling her in 1899 he purchased a yawl named ‘Zayda’; then a French fishing lugger, ‘Idéal’, followed by a 14 ton cutter ‘Little Windflower’, and finally the 41’ cutter ‘Ailsa’ purchased in 1921.

His most well known books, ‘Sailing Tours’ published in five volumes, describe his adventures cruising the coasts of Essex and Suffolk, the Nore to the Scilly Isles, Falmouth to the Loire, Land’s End to the Mull of Galloway and the Clyde to the Thames.

Links

Frank Cowper, 1849–1930

 http://www.smallcraft.net/research/the_sailors/frank_cowper/

Cruising Sailors

 http://www.betty-ck145.com/docueng/classic_boats/cruise_sailors.html

‘Little Windflower’

http://www.dorsetbelles.com/about/gaff-rigged-41ft-cutter-1890--history/sandeman-yacht-company/  

Frank Cowper Sailing Books

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/author/frank-cowper/kw/sailing/ 

Sailing Tours: The Yachtsman's Guide to the Cruising Waters of the English Coast, Volume 1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sailing-Tours-Yachtsmans-Cruising-English/dp/1179443586

Barnes and Noble – Some Frank Cowper Books

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/frank-cowper

Google Frank Cooper Books

http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Sailing_tours.html?id=w_cWAAAAYAAJ

Sailing Tours – Part 5 - £75.00

http://www.mclarenbooks.com/sailing-tours-the-yachtsmans-guide-to-the-cruising-waters-of-the-english-and-adjacent-coasts-part-v-5-the-west-coasts-of-scotland-the-orkneys-and-the-west-coast-of-the-north-sea-frank-cow/  

The Vagaries of Lady Harvey: The Meanderings of a Freak Among the Orkneys and Elsewhere

http://www.amazon.com/The-Vagaries-Lady-Harvey-Meanderings/dp/B00266A74A

Jack All Alone

http://www.amazon.it/Jack-All-Alone-His-Cruises-Frank-Cowper/dp/1150562382

Barcelona World Race 2014/15

Here are the positions of yachts at 1400 hours Sunday, 4^th January, 2015: 1^st Hugo Boss, 2^nd Cheminees Poujoulat, 3^rd Neutrogena, 4^th GAES Centros Auditivos, 5^th Renault Captur, 6^th One Planet, One Ocean/Pharmaton, 7^th We Are Water, and 8^th Spirit of Hungary.

My favourite, ‘Hugo Boss’, is in the lead. She is skippered by Alex Thomson and Pepe Ribes. I feel most for the underdog, Nandor Fa, along with his co-skipper Conrad Coleman, of ‘Spirit of Hungary’.

This sort of ocean yacht racing must be the most competitive, arduous and challenging of all sports. It requires out-and-out superhuman effort on the part of crews for up to three months, during which time they may face extreme conditions. In the Southern Oceans there are dangerous waves generated by gale force winds and it is icy cold. In mid-Atlantic there are the Doldrums, where the wind is fickle or non-existent. The yachts pass through contrasting climatic zones.  Add to that danger of possible collision with ships, whales, icebergs and floating objects. Crews suffer from sleep deprivation, physical and mental exhaustion, and sometimes illness and injury. They may have to cope with gear failure, or the loss of electrical power. Successful competitors are outstanding achievers who have great determination and courage, knowing the dangers. Just to finish the race is a fantastic achievement. Getting to the start line is meritorious, leave alone, participating! For Me, Nandor Fa and Conrad Coleman are already winners by their magnificent efforts bringing them to the start line with precious little help from benefactors.

Links

Barcelona World Race

http://www.barcelonaworldrace.org/en/ 

Barcelona World Race: Departure Live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVc_HjHxyDY#t=11

Barcelona World Race Leaders on schedule for fast Med exit

http://www.sail-world.com/UK/Barcelona-World-Race-leaders-on-schedule-for-a-fast-Med-exit-+-Video/130353

Alex Thomson and Pepe Ribes ready for Barcelona World Race

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sailing/30515234

From Conrad Colman on Spirit of Hungary ‘Imprisioned’

http://www.barcelonaworldrace.org/en/news/emails-from-the-boats/from-conrad-colman-on-spirit-of-hungary-imprisoned

Day Sailers

 

'C' Class West Wight Potter

 

Royal Burnham One Design

 

Harbor 20

 

Leisure 17

 

Squib

 

Victorian Canoe Yawl

A day sailer is essentially a sailing boat that has no living accommodation, or sparse accommodation. A Harbor 20 is one such sailboat.  She and similar day sailers like the Squib, Ajax and Yeoman can be used for Spartan cruising with the addition of a boom tent, and minimal camping equipment. These boats are raced; indeed, they were primarily designed for racing and occasional day sailing.

Small cruising yachts such as the Leisure 17 and the West Wight Potter are also suitable for day sailing.

There’s a lot to be said in favour of day sailing, because it is the least demanding form of sailing. Good weather can be chosen when the tides are suitable for a few pleasurable hours afloat, unlike cruising when it may be necessary to sail in conditions that are far from ideal.

Links

Day Sailer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_sailer

Day Sailer Class

http://www.uffafox.com/daysail.htm

Harbor 20 – The Classic Modern Day Sailer

http://www.wdschock.com/boats/harbor20/h20_intro_b.php  

The Ajax

http://www.royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk/keelboats.html

Ajax

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/class/Ajax

Yeoman and Kinsman Association

http://www.ykboats.co.uk/Ykboats.htm

Squibs - Part 1

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/squibs.html

Squibs - Part 2

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/squibs-part-2.html

Squibs - Part 3

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/squibs-part-3.html

Royal Burnham One Design

http://www.rbodclass.co.uk/

Royal Burnham One Design

 http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?CLASS_ID=5837

Leisure 17 and the Leisure SL

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/leisure-17-and-leisure-17sl.html

West Wight Potter

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/west-wight-potter.html

The Proposed Sale of ‘Minnow’ – Is She Expensive?

I was recently approached by a person who wanted to buy ‘Minnow’. He suggested a sum of money and asked what he would get for that amount. I replied that he could have the boat, minus most of her gear and the engine and without her trailer for less than he had suggested, but if he offered an extra £300 he could have the same package including the trailer. Bearing in mind the trailer originally cost £1,092 I felt he would have had a bargain. I was surprised therefore, that he reacted by telling me that ‘Minnow’ was expensive, and he would not be pursuing his interest in purchasing her. One thing I could understand was that he would have to do a two-way trip across the English Channel by ferry to collect ‘Minnow’ and take her to his home. Bearing in mind transportation costs, perhaps for him it would have been an ‘expensive’ exercise. However, at the time he suggested an amount he was prepared to pay, he would have been aware of the expense of collecting her.

I have noted comments on the blog regarding the proposed sale of ‘Minnow’ when originally advertised at Ebay for £2,900 with all of her gear, including the engine and road trailer. Commentators intimated I was not asking enough! And what I was offering was an absolute bargain. Well, the truth is that I want to cover my costs and hopefully a little more for the labour lavished on renovating her. Anyone wanting a Paradox should note that to build and fit out one, it will require the expenditure of well over £4000 - more likely in the region of £4,500 without a road trailer. Furthermore, it will take the builder about 18 months of his spare time, working evenings and weekends to complete her.

I am still offering ‘Minnow’ for sale, and I am open to reasonable offers according to what will be included in the deal. Come the spring of 2015 she may not be for sale, because I may have overcome my lack of desire for being on the water. I may have regained the confidence I once had. I may again be looking forward to the challenge of long distance coastal sailing, or even to being satisfied with cruising locally.

When one says that a thing is too expensive, it must be seen as a relative statement. For one person it would be cheap and inexpensive, but for another who is not so well off, it could indeed be expensive.

Links

Selling Paradox ‘Minnow’

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/selling-paradox-minnow.html

Paradox ‘For Sale’ Advertisement at Ebay £2,900

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/paradox-for-sale-advertisement-at-ebay.html  

Minnow for Sale - Further Clarification

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/minnow-for-sale-further-clarification.html

The Cost of Building a Paradox

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/the-cost-of-building-paradox.html