Launch Day

Following the destruction of the yard work on Bobtail has been slow due to the loss of the tallurit press and roll swage machines. The kind loan of a hand swaging press and the efforts by Peter retrieve and repair the fire damaged equipment has enable the project to be complete.

Here we are at the back of the remains of the yard. It all fits together.....

Bobtail leaving for Aldeburgh Yacht Club, the sad remains of the Yard behind us.

A slight hiccup on friday when the final delivery of fork and eye terminals included a note " forks to follow" didn't stop us. Half an hour raking through the remains of the Yard revealed 3 useable fork terminals and the rig was finished.

After a very short Club race on Saturday afternoon Bobtail was launched in the evening sun with a very light breeze.

Bailing soon commenced and the rate of flow appeared to reduce with time. The Jeckells sails look fantastic and she sailed very nicely in the breeze.

Peter and the crew of "If" appeared for a close inspection on the way back from their moorings.

Ther is a similar picture of N76 (Coot) but sailing downriver.

Antony then took Rory and James from a quick sail in the old Lady

So After 19 months Bobtail is now restored and sailing on the River Alde. I must say thank you most of all to Peter Wilson for his encouragent, knowledge and use of the Boat Yard. Not forgetting Colin and Martin (purely metal) for making the trolley and other stainless steel fittings for the boat, Richie at Jeckells for making the vintage sails including some lovely, tiny second hand piston hanks on the jib and Tim for helping me with the rivetting when my arms were too short.

Finally Dawn, Phoebe and Tom will now see me return to the house from 19 months camped out in the garage working on my Project.