Alan Buchanan dies

I remember Alan Buchanan well, a real gent. A claim to fame - my brother worked in Alan's drawing office when the firm was at Burnham, his first job after uni qualifying as a naval architect.
He loved the job but had to look elsewhere when Alan upped sticks and moved to Jersey.
 
That's sad. In 1969 my dad bought a Halcyon 27 that we had for many years and loved. I still think that the H27 is one of the prettiest of the folkboat derivatives.
 
PeteCooper said:
That's sad. In 1969 my dad bought a Halcyon 27 that we had for many years and loved. I still think that the H27 is one of the prettiest of the folkboat derivatives.
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I still got one, they evolved from the Diamond class, the H27 moulds was taken from the hull of Ace of Diamonds, Now was the Diamond class related to the Folkboats, or follow Alan's East Anglian 28 designs ?

Brian
 
Was he the chap who owned a Blackwater Sloop at Bradwell a few years ago? - I was told it was owned by a famous yacht designer who's first name was Alan.
 
PeteCooper said:
That's sad. In 1969 my dad bought a Halcyon 27 that we had for many years and loved. I still think that the H27 is one of the prettiest of the folkboat derivatives.
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yes they are good looking boats - i have a Nantucket Clipper, which i think he may have had the most "fun" whilst designing. the clipper bow allows the fore cabin to be very spacious. the clippers are not brilliant to windward, but are seriously comfortable in a blow more so with a sail plan that allows jib & jiggered!!

cc
 
jant said:
yes they are good looking boats - i have a Nantucket Clipper, which i think he may have had the most "fun" whilst designing. the clipper bow allows the fore cabin to be very spacious. the clippers are not brilliant to windward, but are seriously comfortable in a blow more so with a sail plan that allows jib & jiggered!!

cc
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I was one of a team of 3 who fitted out the first one. she was taken away & launched for brochure pix then bought back to Royston for us to finish.
 
jant said:
Blinking 'Eck!!! there is a website that shows a pic what may very well be the clipper you fitted out... along with a forum that may interest you, along with some invaluable advise to the many owners - check out
http://www.oycoa.org.uk/offshore-yachts/nantucket-clipper/index.php
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when i worked for OSY i never ever dreamt i would actually own a boat.Whilst @ OSY i was asked by a lady if i would help her husband finish off a Hustler 30, that was a life changing meeting.
I am still in contact with the other 2 fit-out team members, we were originally all apprentices joiners from a local building company, Jacklin Hale & Co of Royston. The chap who made the decorative bow scrolls was the forman in the wood machine shop @ OSY but was also the small works foreman from the same building company
 
I sailed many a mile on a Buchanan Saxon Class built by RJ Prior in '62. Good performance for her type and well built. In the 90's she crossed the Atlantic and Pacific and now lives in NZ.
 
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I used to have a lovely H27.

In some ways, the best boat we've ever owned (and there's been a few).

We spent loads getting her to a really beautiful condition.

I often regret selling her.

Mr Buchanan, like his contemparary Mr Holman, had a good eye for what makes a beautiful boat.

RIP
 
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Just this afternoon been ogling "Tsambika" a Buchanan Viking built by Johnson son & Jago at Leigh on Sea, as she was lifted out at Salcombe.
Last time I saw her was on the scrubbing blocks at Waldringfield in about 1985 if I recall correctly!
 
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