Recent content by ValleyForge

We had a triple keel one about 20 odd years ago now, loved it (after a Sailfish 18 it seemed massive) and it was old then - Solid as a brick whatsit, classic accommodation with a separate heads, which is handy, a lot were home finished so interiors could be a bit ropey. The original petrol Vire...

And always with fenders dangling & swinging about ..... (sorry, pet rant). Lovely dinghy - that yours lakey ?

Caused a chuckle ! Grandad used to shoot ducks for food on the other side of the lake (a long time ago) - the blokes at sand & gravel spent some time ducking & weaving ! Yot has a row of dvd's above the boom to ward off critters - Elvis works best, Des O'Conner fell to the breeze ...

Good call Lakey, well done.

+ another 1 Seajet for the Hunter 19. When doing the RYA/DTI stuff in the 70's a chap on the course had one which he regularly took across to the IOM in all weathers. Only remember because he was a very big bloke & wondered how he ever got inside the thing, really a fast dayboat with a lid...

The new marina on Windermere made by the council would cost you an eye watering £4k pa as they have a strange pricing system, presumably to cater for the Cheshire Navy. (an awful lot or a really amazingly large lot). You could ask Roa Island Boat Club for ideas on launching & moorings around...

Whats happened with the K777 replica, run at Coniston speed trials a couple of years ago ? - A superb piece of work, even though they failed to get her onto the plane - wasn't there a bit of humbug flying around about it though ? Personally I would have preferred Bluebird to remain in the deeps...

Had a go in a 13' hydro in the 60's - had a 40 hp Johnson - went like the clappers, seemingly in the air most of the time, blindingly wet, bone crushingly uncomfortable - you had to kneel on the bare hull floor. Exciting yes, Cruising, no. Had a couple of Searays more recently though, very comfy...

Lovely boat Simon, well found. Just found your thread - was away on hols when you posted. You'll find the Piper well suited to Windermere, we thoroughly enjoyed our Piper no. 7 'Blue Tarka' for 3 years, only sold as small grandchildren were not really well suited so now have a little cruiser...

Just googled your boat - Wow what a boat ! absolute beauty. No idea really I'm afraid on your points but she looks quite flat bottomed so calm - very calm waters only, No comparison to production grp/fishing boats - you basically have a racing hydroplane kitted out with a bench seat. I think...

We watched it last night courtesy of 'Lovefilm' and although the wife was a bit put out by me shouting at the screen on many occasions I can say it was a film worth watching if only to ponder on those 'what if' moments. Nothing like as good as 'Dead Calm', infinitely better than that Noah film -...

Was on holiday at Lord Howe Island shortly before ... Lovely place, very dramatic. http://www.professionalmariner.com/March-2007/Royal-Navy-destroyer-hits-rock-nearly-sinks-off-New-Zealand/

Little Zodiac blown up / let down around 3 times each week (in the season) to row between car on shore & boat. Lasting, let me see now - about 18 years so far .... Kept deflated of course when not in use. Tip - a Rule blower makes light work of inflating, about 90 seconds although drawing 28...

Tempest ?

Make sure the exhaust is clear - I once had a Vire 6 with similar symptoms - after a couple of years struggling found out the rubber bellow silencer hidden away in the lazarette was the wrong way round- it had a non-return flap in it ! Stupidly simple but worth a check.