The life of N3282 Avalon. Design: Crusader '88, designed by: Phil Morrison in 1988
Built by Alastair Calder for son Iain, sailed a lot at the time including good placings at Burton Week
Avalon was indeed first owned by Iain Calder - although she was built by Gerry Ledger and home finished/fitted out by the Calders. She was sailed very succesfuly by Iain between 1988 and 1993 winning multiple Open Meetings across the country, including the Lairwell Trophy 5 times, the Scottish Championships in 1993 and placed well in Burton Week over this period. Iain also won the Northern Area championship in 1990 at Derwent Water where he scored four 1st's and two 4th's in the 6 race series over the may Bank holiday weekend. However the ANEYC Trophy was awarded to Ian Simpson of Tynemeouth SC as Iain was not eligible to qualify as an "outsider" to the region.
Here is a picture of Iain helming Avalon on the Firth of Forth at Kinghorn during the 1991 Scottish Championships.
She currently resides at Olton Mere Sailing Club in Solihull and until this afternoon had a little more wildlife in her than desired (both living and of the green variety). Safe and sound in the warmth of my garage I intend to give her a make over to restore her back to her former glory. Thankfully the work is generally cosmetic as the hull is in sound condition.
I am the now current owner of this lovely 12 and will be putting her on the water after refit to sail with my wife and son too in a couple of years time. I have a few photos and can post progress shots if anybody is interested?
Also I will be looking to obtain all the missing parts as I literaly have the fine hull alone.
Please do post pictures/updates...I knew this boat very well and still friends with the original owner.
Excellent I will for sure. Would love to know more about the early days and see any more photos if the original owner has any?
(http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv359%3B5%3Enu%3D36%3A3%3E636%3E25%3B%3EWSNRCG%3D37745%3B44%3B934%3Cnu0mrj)
Current progress...
Courtesy of original owner Iain Calder are these great shots of Avalon taken at the 1990 Burton Week at Llandudno.
Thank you they are great pictures they have made my day! Brand new cover and jib turned up for her today so a good day all round. Cheer's
Here is an image of Iain Calder and Sascha Robinson in Avalon at Llandudno 1990...the dramatic photo by Nick Champion of them powering up the beat was used by the NTOA as an advert in the Yachts and Yachting.
Fantastic! Keep them coming ed it all helps spur the re build along :-)
A couple more of Avalon ..these taken in 1991 at Dalgety Bay SC
Avalon at Dalgety Bay SC
Wow! I love that mainsail wish I had all the old bits.....
(http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv396%3A8%3Enu%3D36%3A3%3E636%3E25%3B%3EWSNRCG%3D379%3B99657834%3Cnu0mrj)
(http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv362%3B%3B%3Enu%3D36%3A3%3E636%3E25%3B%3EWSNRCG%3D379%3B99657634%3Cnu0mrj)
(http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv3%3C5%3A5%3Enu%3D36%3A3%3E636%3E25%3B%3EWSNRCG%3D379%3B99657734%3Cnu0mrj)
(http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv33%3A69%3Enu%3D36%3A3%3E636%3E25%3B%3EWSNRCG%3D379%3B99657934%3Cnu0mrj)
Finally up the right way and on a trolley ready for some coats of varnish.
Nice to see...and looking good!
We need to get a reunion of Avalon, Mr. Incredible & Indecision together.
Cheers. I like that idea we should do just that
Due to a lack of anybody willing to sail with me I have little choice but to sell Avalon.
If anybody wants a sound race ready boat she is more than ready and has only been raced once since restoration :o I will being stuck sailing laser talking to myself ;D
Hi,
Just introducing myself. Im John Milburn and live in the lake district. I currently own this lovely boat and have her on Coniston water. We have only sailed her a handful of times but hope to sail some more this season.
I have a couple of girls 11 and 14 and they both have enjoyed sailing her so far.
I will take some more photos of her on the water this year and add to this thread.
Kind Regards
John
Hi John,
The 12s of the eighties hold a lot of appeal for me and Avalon looks a nice boat.
We have N3244 and have been a bit inactive of late. The plan is to put that right in 2016. Bass week is in our plans for 2016 so we'll be in your vicinity in the summer. At least one 12 of around your vintage planning to enter. Burwain SC host an open for the northern region on May 8th. That's near enough that not much should get in the way of us being there. We tripped to the Burghfield event (19th Mar) and appear in the video shot by Sportography. Ours is the closest and the briefest close up.
https://vimeo.com/160882375 (https://vimeo.com/160882375)
Recently unearthed photo of Iain Calder sailing Avalon with Sascha Robinson 1990.