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Here is a sad sight and it looks like a National 12.  It has the hoop transom horse, is missing the stern deck and has a hefty centreplate by the look of it.  It is unribbed.  Any of the vintage people recognise the design?  I am not the seller I hasten to add.  At the price and condition I am not that optimistic and would be too embarrassed to let a boat slip away like that.  The trolley looks a cracker too!!

There has been a suggestion - and at this stage it really is a sugestion that the CVRDA might hold a Nationals at St Mary's Loch just over the border into Scotland.  Rules for CVRDA are boats designed before 1965 and must be over 25 years old.  Before St Marys was approached to see if we could get a separate start at their Regatta (English Bank Holiday Weekend) I was wondering whether this might encourage any Vintage 12 guys (and other old boat owners) to attend from the more Northern end of the country.  The racing would be Saturday/Sunday if we were allowed and there is camping on site plus a PUB and a CEILIDH I am led to understand.  Would there be any support???  As I said this is just a feeler but I'll keep you informed.  Bear in mind it was a 12 which is the CVRDA Nats champion in 2009 (Phil and Alison Philpott) and they travelled to Roadford in Devon.

I have a vintage Merlin (1951 ribbed boat) and wondered if anyone out there would have a suit of very old sails going beging that I could use on very windy days rather than risk capsize with my full size sets.  There is a picture of Hallowe'en a Rocket design in Robin Stevenson's book "When Dinghies Delight" flying along in a high wind with a set of Nat 12 sails rigged and thought that this would be just the job.  Postage would be reimbursed so if anyone has a suit lying around in a "just useable and no more condition" please leave a message here.  Thanks to all in advance.

This weekend the CVRDA are holding their Vintage meeting at Clywedog North/mid Wales in the most stunning of valleys in the mountains.  Racing  Sat, Sun Monday of the Bank Hollier and there will be a goodly number of Classic boats there.  Must be designed pre 1965 and be over 25years old (the boats) so loads of 12's qualify.  If you haven't sailed there before the facilities are superb, camping cheap (and I mean cheap), cooking facilities in the clubhouse, great food provided for all but breakfast. The beer is in and the meal organised.  No price as yet but reasonable as ever.    A superb setting and the most welcoming of people.  Hope to see some of you swell the numbers. Best bit is the mobile reception is awful at the club but OK 100yds up the hill so you are only in contact with those you want to!!!

Can anyone tell me at what number of Nat 12 steel centreboards were discontinued.  Also is there an easy way of raising and lowering these boards as there seems to be some discussion about the difficutlies of doing that.  If you need a replacement steel plate were the templates similar.  I assume that the steel plate made the boats less tippy - would this be correct?

How easy would a vintage Nat 12 be to sail with helm only in light winds?  I occasionally suffer a loss of crew in the summer in my Merlin but would like to sail on light days and feel the Merlin is a bit big so is the Nat 12 a possibility?

Chris Barlow of the CVRDA has issued a cotton sails challenge for the event at Shearwater at the end of September for any boats over 25 years old.  It looks as if there will be at least 5 boats but others of all classes can join in. Modern sails are also allowed but the cotton sail will be for a separate category.   Perhaps some National 12's would like to come along.  see http://www.cvrda.org/ for further details.

I am hoping to pick up a Merlin mast from Hampton when I am down from Aberdeen to attend the Frensham Pond event on 14/15th July CVRDA rally.  I don't suppose anyone in the Hampton area could pick it up for me and bring it to Frensham if they were also attending and save me a trip into London towing the boat!!  I can be contacted on gjr@rowett.ac.uk and can make arrangements

Thanks in advance

Garry R

I know this is heresy but I have recently restored a vintage Merlin Rocket no! not a 12  (Rocket No 252 Gannet) which is a ribbed construction boat (solid mahogany on rock elm ribs) built by Wyche and Coppick in 1951.  I have her complete now (see the CVRDA website http://www.cvrda.org/ and click on Gannet to see her).  I am missing one tiny detail and that is a name plate for the builder.  If anyone has an old W & C nameplate that they could let me have or even photograph one on a boat so I could get it copied that would be great.  My email address is gjr@rowett.ac.uk if you have a photo or can help in a material way.