Search found 19 matches

by Bill Sylvester
Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:49 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Firefly MKII Centreboard Case
Replies: 116
Views: 36222

Re: Firefly MKII Centreboard Case

The story so far: I had hoped to fix the old Firefly, but the problems jst kept mounting. I'll save what I can, and anything I don't need for the slightly newer one which I am negotiating for, is up for grabs: Reynolds mast - completely trashed. It had been repaired and re-riveted so often around th...
by Bill Sylvester
Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:30 pm
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Built like a tank
Replies: 4
Views: 4330

Re: Built like a tank

The maker's plate was definitely Volvo. Sorry about the lack of photos - what with taking off my lifejacket and :roll: going underneath to push the plate back up, I somehow forgot to take any.
by Bill Sylvester
Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:59 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Built like a tank
Replies: 4
Views: 4330

Built like a tank

Does anyone have any recollection of a sailing dinghy built by, of all people, Volvo? It nearly drowned me in 1980 and I am sure I have never seen another one. My vague recollection is 16-18 feet, fully double skinned, conventional rig, centreboard. Took six soldiers to lift it down the beach. Inver...
by Bill Sylvester
Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:32 am
Forum: Announcements
Topic: Possible Forum Upgrade
Replies: 18
Views: 39873

Finn trainer
by Bill Sylvester
Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:13 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Firefly centreplate pulley arrangement
Replies: 8
Views: 6568

There are a couple of other reasons why people go for a centre main. Although you lose a certain amount of leverage, you need to handle less sheet to adjust the angle of the main. In addition, when the boom is eased a little, a centre main will still be pulling downwards, albeit at an angle, when th...
by Bill Sylvester
Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:27 pm
Forum: Boat Identification and Dinghy History
Topic: Firefly 937
Replies: 45
Views: 17325

The original rotating masts had a Tufnol collar made of two halves which fitted together at the level of gate. It sounds as if the collar is missing (check the box of bits) or that the gate should be replaced with something closer fitting. If you want a collar, I may have one as I am going to fit a ...
by Bill Sylvester
Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:28 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: How easy
Replies: 13
Views: 6900

I used to sail my old National, 1856, on my own in light winds without any problems at all. I have also watched someone sail a Merlin in light winds on his own complete with launching and recovering the spinnaker.
by Bill Sylvester
Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:16 pm
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Just Bought a Jollyboat!!
Replies: 22
Views: 10558

Don't know George - my contact is Jonathan Griffin. Hope you get it sorted out.
by Bill Sylvester
Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:46 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Just Bought a Jollyboat!!
Replies: 22
Views: 10558

Director of the NMM at Falmouth is a friend - do you want me to ask him? If so, a few dates as to when various things may have happened would help.
by Bill Sylvester
Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:09 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: merlin handicaps
Replies: 4
Views: 3972

We have three Merlins at Chanonry, two Smokers and a Phantom Kipper. Two have very experienced helms and one has a keen novice. All three sail off the Class handicap for their age of PY +30. Results? The two experienced helms are regularly in the top five of the handicap fleet. The novice scores eve...
by Bill Sylvester
Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:11 am
Forum: Boats and bits for sale
Topic: What is this boat?
Replies: 16
Views: 6490

Ahh. The wonderful Vagabond. After brief excursions in a Cadet, this was our first family boat, number 413. A sail as recognisable as the Mirror or the Enterprise, strengthened transom to take a small outboard, and a homebuild Gremlin (think Optimist without the style) fitted inside, upside down for...
by Bill Sylvester
Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:34 pm
Forum: Boats and bits for sale
Topic: Looks like an interesting boatyard - and for sale boat!!
Replies: 7
Views: 3159

And the clinker built day boat is described as a Norfolk One Design 19'. Called 'Magic'.
by Bill Sylvester
Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:23 pm
Forum: Boats and bits for sale
Topic: Firefly mast again!!
Replies: 1
Views: 2090

The old Reynolds mast gave up the ghost yesterday, very terminally. The wooden top snapped exactly at the join and descended in two parts. Only a Force 1/2 at that. I still haven't managed to find anything up here - the Scots obviously never throw anything away. If anyone has got an old one which co...
by Bill Sylvester
Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:48 pm
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Single handed PN
Replies: 6
Views: 4189

OK thanks. I got the Firefly to sail singlehanded when I can't get a crew for the Merlin so I will experiment with 1140 for when I sail it and the proper number when someone else borrows it. I don't feel so passionately about someone choosing to sail a double hander singlehanded. It is usually just ...
by Bill Sylvester
Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:50 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Single handed PN
Replies: 6
Views: 4189

What modern number should I suggest to my club for a 1958 Mk1 Firefly with Reynolds mast being sailed single-handed? I am guessing somewhere in the 1140s (similar to a GP14).