Spit and polish

No job is too small, but then again I really should learn to keep my mouth shut!

My boss's Sea Ray was parked at work awaiting a new inboard and looked like it needed a polish. "How much would you pay me to do the job?" I asked...
My accountant would have haggled, however, I just can't seem to say "No".

After a couple of weeks working back I got payed and I reckon the boss was happy. I'll stick to cars from now on, there a lot less work!

Winter series result

Upsandowns-MH127 ended up coming 3rd equal with two other yachts on points.
Not bad considering it's starting time, 21 minutes after the lead yacht. Our best result during the series was 3rd. Hopefully it blows more often next year.
Many thanks to my crew and the club for providing this opportunity to forget about work and do some sailing during winter.

Future project

I first saw this fat skiff bounced around the racks at Seaforth in the mid 1980's.It's an unfinished project by the 'Milkman' (no idea what his real name was, however, he really did deliver milk).

Thanks to Luka who advertised it on a Moth forum, I rescued it last month with a view to putting it on the water in some shape or form when I'm able to throw a few dollars it's way. I have no idea what design it is, so from this day forward I'll call it a 'Milkman B' as it is constructed out of balsa.
Stay tuned for more in future posts...

Tender loving care

Nothing lasts forever, however, with a bit of cosmetic surgery an old Moth can still show up on the weekend to compete another day. Tomaree KA 9022 does that, it's a ply scow built by John Henderson in 1983 (McFrawd design). I'm still sailing her at Seaforth/NSC in Middle Harbour, Sydney. Despite a few extra pounds we go well, sensational in a blow.

These photos show the results of a little elbow grease and a sore shoulder, but hey, she deserves it! Tomaree suffered from a gear failure at the NSW state titles a while back (broken stay), but got away with only a scratch (the mast holed the 1.2 mm foredeck), which was easily repaired.

Why bother you might ask? Well sometimes people forget their 'roots' and regret selling off the source of long standing memories. Not me, as long as there is room in the garage and the wife isn't spitting the dummy, this old girl will remain off the market.

Winter racing 2008

In 2007 Northbridge Sailing Club added a Winter series to their sailing calender for yachts and dinghys. The series is contested over six heats occurring at three week intervals and is sponsored by Marine Watch.
Dave thought what better way to keep the the barnacles away, so enlisted two mates, Andrew Thorpe and Phil Moffatt to crew on Upsandowns - MH127.

Upsandowns is a slightly modified, multi-chinned Intro 22, built out of ply by John Henderson. John spent over six years building her in his front yard and she was launched in the early 80's. The yacht is just another example of John's boat building skill, 'built to last' and 'race on'. It's a pity he has turned his hand to marine artist rather than builder.

The yacht has been well looked after, only requiring a new modern day bulb keel a while back, that more than improved her performance. She won the 2007 NSC Winter series, surprising many larger and longer yachts in the process. 2008 has proved more difficult due to light conditions and her handicap, however, with one heat to go we should be in the top 5.

Northbridge Junior revamp

NJ 201 was purchased by an Ex Australian NS14 Champion (Peter Warner) in order to introduce his children to racing at Northbridge Sailing Club.

I went to work on it during the winter of 2006. A relatively easy project due to the hull's size and lack of fittings, nevertheless the revamp needed to last as Peter has three kids that will all be serving their apprenticeship sailing it.

With the revamp finished, the NJ was rigged ready for Peter's eldest son (Nathan) to begin his first season at Northbridge.

It's a holiday in Cambodia makeover completed

Here it is...

In the process of being rigged for the first time since the 1980's. The next step is to get it wet and see if I can sail her.

Had to spend a few dollars on the wing tramps to replace corroded or missing eyelets, new ropes and stay wire before it all came together. I figured that as long as it's my brother's boat he can pay me back, and he did.

The sail looks good and should make a big difference to the previous Garry Fogg sails it wore when first launched. I only discovered one problem, the skiff was never issued with a sailing number, thus it sports AUS 9369 which is confusing considering it was built in 1985. Oh well, let's go sailing.