Des Sleighthome

Re: Oi!!!

I see, so that's actually the photo of a much younger better looking chap. Clever move!

I'm fine, thankyou. Are you back to full time lechering again?

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Some years ago I was looking to purchase a Westerly Centaur that had been owned briefly by Des after he sold his Rival.I think he had not been able to get used to its motion after the 'long legged stride' of his Rival as he described it.This seemed an ideal excuse to give him a ring ostensibly to enquire about the antecedents of the yacht I was thinking of buying.Directory Enquiries came through with his number and I duly phoned him.We talked about the boat for a while and I was able to tell him of the pleasure that his writing had given my brother and I over the years and the reverence we had for the advice that he imparted through his books and articles.I should have guessed that he had previously owned the Centaur as she had lots of little practical touches on her that were his trademark.I told him this and he laughed but I would like to think that he was pleased at my appreciation.All too soon the conversation ended.In the end I didn't buy the Centaur.I was saddened to read of the difficulties he had towards the end of his life and I often thought of him whenever I was beating past Bolt Tail.He will be sadly missed.

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As the late JDS explained it

The doubled sheets need to be a tight push fit through the cringle and the stopper needs to be a substantial bit of stiffish rope. To make assurance doubly sure I put a Matthew Walker in it. Having pushed the stopper through pull it taut.

Have not had a problem with it.

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Ugly Fight breaks out at funeral

oh dear this is most unseemly. I wonder what Des wd have made of it? Mind you, he was a very dapper chap. Even in his wheelychair.

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I'm SO sorry to hear that. He was a one off, full of sound common sense and a way of writing that could make you laugh and learn something interesting at the same time. It's a gift not given to many people. I loved his autobiography I read last Xmas. Is it possible that the messages here can be passed on to his surviving family as a way of expressing our condolences ?

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Old Harry lives on?

Sad news indeed. Is this month's offering on "Night Vision" really the last of Des in YM? Somehow I had expected him to bow out with more of a roar.

Its hard to believe we've heard the last of Old Harry. Maybe as part of the tribute to Des, YM should run an 'Old Harry' story competition. His spirit could be still out there, yet.
 
I would like to add my belated sadness at JDS' departure. I was fortunate enough to have met him on many occasions, the first time when I shared a watch with him on the 1963 Fastnet race in Don Morphy's (he of Morphy-Richards) Avrion. The last time I saw him was at his 80th birthday party aboard the venerable Brixham Trawler Provident in Brixham Harbour 2 years ago. He surprised us all, and annoyed his wife, by cutting his birthday cake with his sailing knife from which he was never separated.
In later years he became popular in Salcombe and district for helping to get the maritime museum there under way, and was a great favourite with the children.
For those who never met him, his humour was as great in conversation as it was in print. He is no doubt recounting many salty stories to the great host of sailors up there somehwere.

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I share the deep sense of loss at this sad news. Des shaped my sailing life through his editorship of YM. His immense knowledge and wisdom allied to a lyrical and humours style made his writting compulsive reading.

I wrote to him earlier this year to say 'thank you' and received his reply only a few weeks ago. I shall treasure it forever.

He leaves us all the richer .

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Working with PBO during Des's reign on YM, I remember him telling the story of his artificial hips - typically Old Harry.

Apparently, while waiting for the anaesthetic for the op, he insisted on inspecting the replacements. He then checked them with a magnet to ensure that they were good quality non magnetic stainless and would not affect his boat's compass. He then gave permission to the anaesthetist to "Go Full Ahead".

Des will be greatly missed by all who sail, as was Denny Desoutter when he passed on a couple of years ago.

We all owe a great deal to their wisdom, honesty and kindness.

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I too am saddened to hear he is gone, he was definitely one of the nice people in life. I had a lovely personal letter from him once to an enquiry, and I think he always took the time to deal with his correspondents as if we were real people. He also had a knack of getting people to see what is important: I can see him up there shaking his head and smiling at some of the sentiments in the "rafting up" threads that come a little after this one.

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It is with great sorrow I hear this news. He has entertained me for many years with his yarns and books, a very sad day. Fair winds Des!

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