Hon. Secretarys spot.
Here is the latest offering from the News Team at the NRDA.
During the 'closed' season most boats are laid up and most of the items I have been able to sort out for you relate to new boats under construction or others that are being worked on ready for next season. I too have been busy in this respect and have had to keep on breaking off from a re-decking job to come inside to type this up for you�Dave Bowen thinks I spend all my spare time at the moment working on his boat!
Other news in this issue concerns the future of our sailmaker that has been causing me some concerns not to mention some confusion about what has been going on with regards to the tie-up between Mike Mac and a company called 'Rellings'.
There is some preliminary information regarding the National Championships at Fishguard including a letter of welcome from the Commodore, Alan Trueman.
Finally, the Dinghy Show this year is at Alexandra Palace in London on 3rd and 4th March. The NRDA is not being represented but I just thought you might like to know.
Best wishes and happy varnishing,
Regards,
Bill
Looe Boat Builders
Cliff Adams has been busy in Looe over the winter with the construction of R246 for Cecil du Valle. It is understood that progress has been swift with the boat. Cecil informs me that the plate case is currently being fitted and she will be ready in good time for the 2001 season. R246 will become a sister to Cecil's existing boat 'Flare' R146.
There has been no more news about R247 being built by Dave Darlington. However the main common factor that has been affecting recent newbuilds has been the unavailability of the timber used for most of the Redwing fleet, namely, Agba. At the moment it is not being imported in sufficient quantities and more particularly, in adequate lengths even to plank Redwing hulls.
Meanwhile in Suffolk�
Another builder facing the problem of finding suitable timber has been Peter Chroston who has been building R248 for Dick Smith. R248 'Gannet', illustrated here, is now having her deck structure assembled and will be complete in time for the 2001 racing season. Peter explained that he has used Khaya Mahogany for the planking, Mahogany for centreline structure, transom and thwarts, Ash for the timbers and finally, spruce and plywood for the deck.
Peter commented that if it was considered that Khaya produced a hull that was too heavy then the only feasible alternative is Silver Spruce for hull planking. Silver Spruce is available at the moment, albeit, at a price! - I know, I have recently bought some to repair an early spruce-planked Dann Redwing (R30 'Talofa') in my possession!
R248 - Moulds set up and planking about to start
R248 - Timbering completed. A lot of work has been done since the previous picture!
R248 - Another view of the hull on completion of timbering.
Photographs courtesy of Peter Chroston.
For more details please contact the boat builder: Peter Chroston, Lower Saltings, 22, Park Road, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, IP15 5EU
Tel. 01728 452608
New Redwing News�
Looe Boat Builders
News reached me from Graham Craft in Looe that he has sold R161 'Mistral' and that she has gone 'back east' to Surrey where she is now in the care of a Mr and Mrs Caffyn. Mrs Caffyn contacted me earlier last year in desperate need of a Redwing to take her children out sailing, but not for racing, at this stage. However I feel that Mistral may spend more time with an outboard motor clamped to her transom than sailing now, unfortunately.
Still in Cornwall..
Mr David Couch of Hayle in Cornwall contacted me to let me know that he has 'inherited' R27 that had been in his family for a number of years. A carpenter by trade, he has promised to refit the boat and get her on the water sometime soon.
Meanwhile in sunny Shropshire�
More recently Lawrence Drennan from Shrewsbury has been telling me about the new woman in his life; 'Fiona', R101. She had been put up for sale by Kevin Mattholie after only a brief fling. Kevin had done some work on the boat and provided her with some new equipment but the affair was brief and he wanted out. Lawrence has risen to the challenge and is giving 'Fiona' a fairly major face-lift. Already she has received a few new timbers and some repairs to transom and thwarts. She has a date with a 'boat surgeon', a.k.a. Dale at Robin Webb's, for 'one or two' new planks to be fitted - some more of my stock of spruce being put to good use - and a new deck is on the list of work being planned. When complete R101 will join the little inland fleet at Chelmarsh and will be able to sail with R99; if and when she sails, R228; if and when she's there and R30; if her restoration ever gets completed!
Other News�
We have been looking at finding the Redwing class a new sailmaker. As well as the company to which Michael MacNamara has sold his business, Rellings, we have been in contact with two other alternatives both who are more used to making sails for racing dinghies. As I write this I am awaiting final price confirmation.
The main criteria, that we have impressed upon the sailmakers, is the need for consistent quality and a competitive price, of course!
Very soon it is hoped to be able to make recommendations leading to a postal ballot of Association Members followed by the making of a 'trial' suit of sails by the prospective company for evaluation by the Class.
News from Looe.
With this being the 'closed' season with not a lot of Redwing sailing going on there is not a great deal to report. It is mainly a story of winter maintenance being carried out. This may come as a surprise but Brain Carvey is undertaking a weight loss campaign. Well, not him personally, but his boat, R212 'Jackatoo', has had her sodden decking removed and is being allowed to dry before having a new deck bonded down. Brian intimated that the old deck was there more by habit than anything else and was only held down by him sitting on it. He is definitely intending to use glue this time, where the previous repairer of the boat hadn't!
News from Tenby
Although it is closed season for Redwings at Tenby, as well, Rolly Squibbs, R244, has been busy and the sailing programme for 2001 has now been published. The first important regatta date is an 'open invitation' regatta for all Redwings over the Easter holiday weekend 14th, 15th 16th April to which everyone who sails a Redwing is welcome.
National Championships Fishguard Bay Yacht Club 26th - 31st August 2001
Preparations are under way for the National Champs this year already. Cary Rickards Sailing Captain of Fishguard Bay Y.C. has been in touch to confirm a few details but the main issue at the moment is confirmation of the numbers of Redwingers who wish to stay at the TS Skirmisher in Lower Fishguard. If you need accommodation please let me know as soon as possible or contact Cary Rickards direct on Fishguard 01348 872453
A letter of welcome from the Commodore of FBYC Alan Trueman is included with this Newsletter
Advertise your Redwing, spare gear or w.h.y. 'For Sale' here!!
To book this space for your advertisement contact Bill Dowell on 01905 779602
Competitive rates!
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webmaster. Last updated 19th June 2001
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