I know with this weather its not really the time of year to put this up but,what have you owned or still own.Let me start this one:- Gull, 485(a french design like a 470 but longer and slower)Merlin Rocket x3,international 14 x 2 ,Fireball,Laser black magic,420. Over to you.
I used to get my speed kicks sailing dinghy's many years ago. I started sailing at a young age in Chichester harbour with a youth club, Enterprises, National 12's Gulls, 420's Fireballs..etc. Nothing so exciting for a youngster as being on the trapeze in a Fireball, in a force5-6, with some maniacal helms man and occasionally helms woman-very character forming! I owned a few Lazers in my 20's and had some great fun times with those, especially sailing in the Oslo fjord. Sadly I'm a bit long in the tooth for it now, but definitely some of the most fun I have ever had. Can't get on with the bigger stuff though as I get seasick, which is a bugger as I have had loads of offers for crewing and have really missed out on some great opportunities. D
I have spent many a happy year sailing from Dell Quay SC in Chichester Harbour especialy my old Fireball which was always fun on a screaming reach in 4's -5s.I remember taking a mate of mine for the first time in conditions gusting up to 45 knots (my ex girlfriend was also trapezing so 3 in the boat) and OMG what fun until one of the shrouds snapped and down came the somewhat inverted mast.But what memories.Spent my formative years sailing Merlins from the Upper thames SC and Cookham reach SC on the Thames with my old man and must get another Merlin,such things of beauty,my last one was a NSM 1 which was fully restored with beautifuly figured wood. Etap 30's,now thats one big dinghy.Nice. Oh and hello sailor Andy..............
The most incredible thing is how Chichester harbour has remained virtually unchanged. I still visit there occasionally. As a teenager; not legally old enough to drink, I would insist on joining in the drinking in the evening at the 'Old house at home' with the older guys and regularly as clockwork used to throw up whilst travelling back to the Barge in Bosham in the back of the transit van! I agree, the Merlin in wood is a beautiful work of art.
The dinghy crew are reluctant to hike out and the nearest to trapezing for them is this! You can't beat growing up around the south coast though and yes that was last Spring in England.
West Wittering,its been done up now and their Sunday roast is wonderful. Royum,where was that pic taken ???
Not at Cobbs, but not far away, you could say Harry Redknapp and I are neighbours, well within 500 yards of each other! LOL We always give Louise a wave when she's topless bathing in the garden LOL. A few of our fellow Ducatisti have come out sailing 749ER, 998GSB, Gavin even swam off the back. There's an open invitation if we can get some crew together & the right weather. Bianchi might even show serious intent this year?? Come on Rod? She'll sleep 6 adults in 3 cabins below decks and another 2 in the cockpit in summer. We need to balance those that have/can sail against those that haven't as we need to tend to any sickies, I put in the rail photo so that people understand boats lean just like bikes, but also go up and down and you will get wet. :smile:
I did a few Sunday races crewing on this bad boy - Volvo 60 – Merit – $340,000 | Yoti turns out one of the guys from my local has done a number of Sydney to Hobart's, rides a Ducati so when I said I was keen he got me on it and off we went! Awesome! Merit is for sale too, a mere $340,000 AUD (about 20p)
You watch that Aussie Dollar, it's becoming more and more valuable as the world comes to depend on their natural resources. Ah couple of my regular ship's crew work for RKJ on his 60 and new 70 footers out of Gosport. Awesome machines!
Use to be into sailing when i was younger, had a Laser, do enjoy sailing a Cat whilst away on holidays now and again.
