Search found 178 matches

by jonathan
Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:41 pm
Forum: Banter
Topic: Sailing In Ambridge
Replies: 60
Views: 23093

Re: Sailing In Ambridge

Well, here I go again. Lilian walks along the Thames with new "paramor" and no mention of any Merlins or A Raters tacking against wind and current. A golden opportunity missed by the scriptwriters who have got themselves bogged down on ishoos such as human A.I. and killing calves. I must b...
by jonathan
Tue Mar 30, 2010 11:24 pm
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Luff Groove on Wooden Mast
Replies: 6
Views: 2943

Re: Luff Groove on Wooden Mast

This weather helps to keep natures extinguisher at optimum pressure. Well for some of us. No names, no pack drill.
by jonathan
Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:23 pm
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Luff Groove on Wooden Mast
Replies: 6
Views: 2943

Re: Luff Groove on Wooden Mast

I have a thought that once I was told to seal a mast groove one had to scorch it. Not sure how but suggest if you try, you do it in the open with a bucket of water to hand or at least a e few beers inside you to prime natures fire extinguisher.
by jonathan
Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:14 am
Forum: Banter
Topic: the CVRDA online....as it was then
Replies: 35
Views: 12898

Re: the CVRDA online....as it was then

My last school year sailing season was ruined due to m/c accident. My commuter machine was a humble Honda 50 (SE Asia's transport of choice) from which I was catapulted by a passing car. I landed on the car roof then boot with a mangled hand lacerations from shoulder to foot and concussion. For once...
by jonathan
Thu Jan 14, 2010 8:53 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Sugru
Replies: 1
Views: 1521

Re: Sugru

Modern equivalent to Duct Tape. Put the two together and you can fix about everything. In my library I have a book of 1001 ways to use duct tape. Great way to bodge. I recently saw a series of photos of a light plane showing how duct tape and plastic sheet was used to make it flyable after it had be...
by jonathan
Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:25 pm
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: scrapers
Replies: 31
Views: 13477

Re: scrapers

I use a small Scarston scraper and a saw file to shape and hone the blade to give a good burr. Need to sharpen it after about 10-12 scrapes. For awkward spots I use an old dinner knife with the end snapped of and ground square then burred if necessary.
by jonathan
Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:14 am
Forum: Banter
Topic: TV Stars
Replies: 5
Views: 3945

Re: TV Stars

http://programmes.stv.tv/countrywise/catch-up/catchup-countrywise-part1-20090924-1932/ I hope this link works for you. If not try ITV Catchup, thats Catchup not ketchup which is red stuff my kids used to smear over any type of food. The programme was Countrywise presented by one of our local celebs ...
by jonathan
Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:09 pm
Forum: Banter
Topic: TV Stars
Replies: 5
Views: 3945

TV Stars

There I was having a quiet supper discussing the days depressing events when an urgent phone call bade me to watch TV NOW!!! And there was Gary and Chris waxing lyrical to camera about sailing,boats and musical instruments and a welsh accent commentating. The sun was out, the breeze was gentle and t...
by jonathan
Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:01 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: 2010 events
Replies: 72
Views: 23328

Re: 2010 events

The Wroxham Classic dinghy weekend at Wroxham is for classics , its just the straight stemmers like it so much that their numbers have been increasing. The event is staged so its up to the other classes to get there. Its handicap racing with adjustments using both the two extra systems - Mervyn Alle...
by jonathan
Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:42 am
Forum: Events
Topic: 2010 events
Replies: 72
Views: 23328

Re: 2010 events

The Vintage 14's Merlins and 12's have a meeting at Wroxham and I am sure they would not mind if a few non straight stem boats joined in even if they look a bit odd. It is meant to be a classic dinghy event so why not get in touch with Jamie Campbell. Brightlingsea I am sure could accommodate but yo...
by jonathan
Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:34 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: What wood is this?
Replies: 8
Views: 3172

Re: What wood is this?

Paran Pine? Straight grained stuff used for furniture framing and stair cases in buildings. Should have a nice pine smell when freshly worked. Cuts well and takes screws and glues(!) Wow - such activity in the workshop - I should be so lucky. Frankly, it could be any softwood that was lying arond th...
by jonathan
Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:24 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: Wroxham 2009
Replies: 0
Views: 2972

Wroxham 2009

Just a note to you all that this weekend we had a great weekend of classic dinghy sailing on Wroxham Broad. A visitor 17 boat turn out plus a small exhibition of part restored pre-war 14.s including Daring and Enterprise #1 with her cotton sails ventured out. The Merlins sailed their De May races wi...
by jonathan
Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:00 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: Cotton sails at Roadford
Replies: 3
Views: 3517

Re: Cotton sails at Roadford

Just put on your scantlings and a smile
by jonathan
Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:08 pm
Forum: Boats and bits wanted
Topic: Egyptian Cotton
Replies: 24
Views: 8844

Re: Egyptian Cotton

Chris, You will be pleased to know that she now has a cotton spinnaker with a nice wooden headboard. I used cotton ticking for model yacht sails and its worked quite well. The stuff I got was certainly the right colour but I would avoid the stripy version for feather mattresses as it would make the ...
by jonathan
Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:11 am
Forum: Boats and bits wanted
Topic: Egyptian Cotton
Replies: 24
Views: 8844

Re: Egyptian Cotton

Chris, I hope you noted the point about sails returning the their original boats! Model sailcloth was also called union silk, no idea why. When they had a cotton that was a bit iffy modellers varnished it to make it wind and water proof. Bearing in mind all the varnish on your boats you might not wa...