Some design details of Margherita

I have been asked how I stow my anchor on the foredeck.  Here are some pictures of what I came up with. The lashing goes through two eyes screwed to the foredeck.  The anchor holds well, with 2m of chain and rope


Also, I got Phil Swift to alter the cockpit stowage.  Instead of small lockers with lids, I asked for lidless lockers with enough room to stow a 12litre fuel tank on the engine side and warps and fenders on the other.  Works a treat and allows easy quick access.  I also added two Sampson posts to the cockpit rear for mooring up etc.  Very useful. Other shillings have the aft Henderson hatch cover in the deck.  I thought this to be both ugly and impractical so I have it in the rear cockpit bulkhead.  looks better and allows easier access to spare warps and fenders etc. stowed inside.

The start of 2017 - bigger bowsprit

Over the winter, I got Dick Phillips of Willow Bay Boats to make me a longer bowsprit.  The aim was to improve the separation of the staysail and jib.  The clew of the jib tended to sit on the staysail when sheeted in half way (sort of when on a beam reach).  I played with an old bit of 2 by 2 with the boat in the garden to see what looked reasonable.  I ended up with a mere 8 inches/200mm longer.  But it makes a big difference.  the sails set better and the boat looks longer and sleeker.  She is now 20ft/6.1m over spars! First two sailing pictures were taken by Alan Robertson, the last one by Peter Edgington. Thanks guys.

Round up of the rest of 2016

I am not very good at keeping up with this am I?  2016 was a pretty good season and I did a couple of trips up to the Solent for old Gaffer Association meetings, including "YOGAFF" at Yarmouth and a meet up at Beaulieu. In September I went back to Cowes for the Annual Race and Rally. I do not race "Margherita", but I do crew for Tony and Sally Kiddle on their Golant Gaffer "Step back In Time"  Anyway, here are some pictures..........

Low tide in Newtown Creek

Newtown Creek

Broody weather in Keyhaven



Sunrise at Arne - Poole Harbour

Moon rise at Arne

On the wind

surfing along in the Needles Channel

Goose-winged foresails on a windy day, running with the breeze from Poole to Keyhaven

Moored up at Newport Isle of White

Punching into Christchurch harbour against a strong ebb

Fishing in the run at Christchurch

Mudeford Quay

Christchurch Swan asserting itself

Sailing back to Poole via the Needles Channel - never done that before

Bucklers hard on the Beaulieu River