Messages

Considering dragging 443 out her shed for another crack at those pesky Dead Cats.

I sail 443, an Uffa King single handed.  I have done so in up to a F5 and she planes in that.  Its a bit hairy though! And I only have myself to blame when she submarines!

All this expensive high tech kit and caboodle has been pushing up my old boat insurance premiums.  This year I put my foot down and rang my insurers to explain a  1939 boat does not have a carbon mast or indeed carbon anything.  After some to-ing and fro-ing with a full description the premium was slashed.  I have to inform them when I do use a carbon mast and those featherweight winged foils however.  I doubt I will be troubling them.

I washed 443's in the bath with Lux.  It was a bit like making wine the old fashioned way.  I rinsed them off with clean water then lowered them out of the window on ropes much to the amusement of the neighbours and hung them on the line to dry.  they had to be gently stretched to maintain a decent shape.  A real palaver which convinced me to continue with dacron whenever possible!  Oh and they still smelt musty after all that. 
 
I used a suit of cotton sails on my Merlin this year, only once as we capsized and it was a real bind getting her up and to stay up with all that weight hanging off the mast so I could sail her back without a tow.  they have been washed and dried and not used since.

Steve, have a look at 443 on the database.  She is my Uffa King which I usually sail single handed.  The plate arrangement is similar to your boat but my jammers are on the deck.  The plate weighs 48lbs and for a nipper crew the plate hard to lift and even an adult has difficulty.  The technique I have developed requires speed accuracy and deft knees and fingers!  I have to lean forward and pull the rope beween  plate and keel pulley (either side), jam the plate with knee then pull slack through the  tube cleat.  I do not advise leaving it all the way down on a run especially in a blow as you will "trip over" it if you vere off course and in a high speed jibe, well you may as well jump over board in anticipation.  On a run  a third to half plate is enough.  The deep v hull seems to give sufficient bite.
I suppose you could go in for a couple of blocks and a modern jammer but you will end up with a lot of rope on the floor.  I am not sure the pre-war 12 sailors went in for micrometer plate adjustment and made do with all, half or smidgen!

One for Tim to practice on!  Its not too far away as well.

It has been great fun! 
443 made it round the windy course twice yesterday but in the Burton race in even windier conditions (marginal for a narrow undecked boat) half swamped and on the first reach the transom pintle gave out and the rudder was off!  And over we went with me holding on to the tiller so the whole lot was not lost.  In dragging the rudder back into the boat the remains of a bolt ripped a buoyancy bag so we floated a tad low.  The excellent resue service towed us back and by the time we reached blighty the bailers had emptied the boat so an easy recovery followed.  Many hands helped us to effect a temporary repair for tomorrow's races.
Bring it on!

As I sit at my study window (In Colchester)  this morning, the sun is coming  out with its hat on!  As you drive into Brightlingsea you will be treated to early autumn colours in the trees brought on by the very fine spring weather.
I hope Brightlingsea's unique micro climate kicks in for "Canvas City" and you enjoy your stay on land as well as on the water.  Oh and talking of being on the water, please be kind to 443 as she hasn't taken up yet so we will be too busy bailing to avoid anyone in a hurry!

Sorry.
A shapely aft you could counter on.

I have just seen there is an old archive picture of this boat on the Welland SC site so if anyone knows this club they might be able to get some information on her.

Tim
 
I will put the word out you are looking for a crew.  Whats with this new sails busienss, 443 might have her cotton ones back!  But only if it is sunny.

Lakeside Touring Caravan and Camp Site.  Staggering distance from clubhouse though you do have to step over a couple of boat tie downs and negotiate a gate which will be open.  Thats the nearest, in fact you couldn't get nearer, so contact them and book ASAP.  If you have an r/c boat then the lake is handy for tactics practice.

Terrific weekend and a big thank you to all concerned. And to those who came from far afield this was a typical sailing weekend on the East Coast! I have just looked ta my sunrise snaps again whilst listening to Brittens Sea Interludes and you can see where the inspiration came from. 
 
I look forward to seeing you all down this way next year.

443 appears tio have taken up so I will only bring one bucket and one bailer!

And here's me just finished pressing dinner suit trousers and dress shirt.  I shall not bother buffing up the cuff links with brasso.
Earlier I had a lovely evening sail at Brightlingsea.  Incoming tide, very warm, all sorts of seabirds calling and sat on our liitle beach watching the sunset drinking a glass of, yes you guessed it, Adnams.
 
East Coast Magic!