Recent content by moondancer

I might be fairly new to this forum and might have missed something but this seems the sort of rant that made it into Jasper Carrot's 'nutter on the bus' sketch.

I think there are two questions here. The first about demographics and boating the second about Burnham specifically. There is no doubt in my mind that cruiser sailing is having the same problem as golf. For young families it takes up too much time, is too difficult to get into and just not on...

Yes, they look to be nearly as old as the boat. I imagine that being a one design many of the sailmakers have them in as standard sizes. I'm selling the liferaft that's stuck on the back of her through ebay, as soon as I can get it down. The liferaft is a canister one, only a few years old, but...

Well we will be when it's ready next season. Having sold Moondancer, partly due to lack of headroom, father in law and I have just bought Maestro, a Varne folkboat from Chrissie, who used to post on here. Obviously, I failed to take headroom into account with the new purchase. FIL is going...

If this was in our harbour, everyone around would have got on board pumped her out and tried to either get her ashore or fix the leak enough not to sink. When a seacock started leaking on my boat that's exactly why the other folk did. Unbelievable that this hasn't happened here, or the harbour...

This morning driving over it one end was sticking up by a couple of inches. This morning it was level again. If it needs big repairs the MOD won't be keen to fund it.

Must be me driving Horse Lorries over it for the last few weeks.

As i'm not on it, you can get rid of it :)

Unfortunately I am having to sell Moondancer, my Malbec 24 cruiser racer. Circumstances have forced a fairly rapid sale and I have decided to put her on ebay to see if that works quicker than Brokers or Apolloduck...

Would the Buzzard have killed the Swan or was it likely to be a lucky find for the Buzzard?

and I thought 240bhp and 600kgs would be quick enough. I might have to re-think.....

"he gave his first professional performance as an elf " . Wonderful.

Thanks Jim. The best bit about exhibiting at Excel was your, Ian's and Gordon's company. Have to say it was far more fun and far more lucrative exhibiting at SIBS. p.s. Jim, building a 240bhp Dax Rush to go with the Horse and Cart now.

I was talking honestly rather than talking it down. The numbers show a long term year on year reduction in attendance which counters your view about the trend being reversed. Last year's figures would have been worse still if it hadn't been for adding the outdoor and cycling show to the event...

I don't think I did talk it down, the facts speak for themselves, and I am free to express my own personal experience. Boat show numbers have been decreasing at Excel way before the 'crunch' each year. Ever since the move from Earls Court. Here are some figures from wikipedia. IIRC figures for...