N2935 Close To The Edge

[National 12 Webmaster]

The life of N2935 Close To The Edge. Design: Cheshire Cat, designed by: Michael Jackson in 1973

[Dave Croft]

Close to the Edge was built by Dave Proctor in 1976. I (Dave Croft) was the first and am still the current owner. The hull was in fact ordered by another 12 sailor who then decided to buy a Paper Dart leaving  Dave Proctor with a Cheshire Cat hull yet to be completed. This was my good fortune!

Close to the Edge is built of 4-planks with each plank being mitre joined for the whole length, this meansno end-grain showing and gave us the opportunity to varnish the hull (a rare thing in the days before cold-moulding). Although the hull is true Cheshire Cat she has some unusal features, in particular the centreboard which is approx 6 inches shorter than max, the centreboard case is a close fit which maximises the room in the boat and reduces the amount of water carried in the case. The deck has less camber than usual on a Cat.

Close to the Edge has been a very sucessful inland boat winning the Thames Area 5 times and having over 50 open meeting wins to her name. She is still failry competive in the right conditions (F2 to 3 on a river or estuary). She was very light when first buit and was just under 80kgs when last weighed.

Attached photo's taken at Tamesis, Salcombe and Ranelagh