Finesse 24 Owners Assoc?

tim3057

tim3057

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New owner of a Finesse 24, wondering if there is an owners' association or similar? I remember having some good advice from at least one owner on this forum when I was 'thinking about' buying. (thanks for your help!) I understand that around 80 were built, and will be working on No 42 (I think) over the winter. Ours was completed in 1979, and I'm keen to pick up as many tips as possible before Mischief goes back in the water in April.



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Hi and welcome!
Don't know of an association, tho' there was talk of one on this forum last year. I am up for it if anyone is interested, but not sure if I am capable of running anything...

Chris

Serinette, Finesse 24 no.53

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Mmmm - not sure I am either - although the spirit is willing I doubt I'd make a very good job of it!

OK, so there are two of us... where's the other 78?

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I think I will try posting this notice again once a month or so just in case!

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Gentlemen

I, like you, am very keen to form some sort of owners association. It seems extraordinary that such an excellent boat should not be represented in this way. I certainly would be keen to assist in setting something up but my computer skills are somewhat limited and I know nothing about setting up websites and the like. Without sufficient enthusiasm it is difficult to keep these things going. I would certainly be willing to take on some role in such an organisation if other people would like to get involved too. A list of owners and locations would be a great starting point for instance.

I used to have a Pandora. They have a nice (and simple) website which would be a useful model for our site.

What do people think?

Mike

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Mike, Chris & any others,

I would be happy to make a start, as you suggest Mike, with a simple list of names, boat details locations & email addresses. This would at least be a starting point for an owners 'group', which we can perhaps develop into a website later!

If you would like to email me with the above info I'll see what I can set up (inbetween the many hours of sandpapering ahead!). I will also start a history /database with facts and figures about the boat itself, again over time!

Tim

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Tim

No sooner said than done!

I acquired my Finesse 24, "Sea Beatrice" in September 2002.

Her port of registry now is Maldon although I believe she was originally registered in London as "Sea Bee" Her port of registry was subsequently changed to Maldon at the same time as she became "Sea Beatrice". Her registered number is 388158. She was built in 1979 and her sail number is 46. She is rigged as a Bermudan sloop and is based in Gillingham Marina on the Medway. She is in good condition overall although I have just replaced the entire roof to the forecabin. Couldn't live with the mushrooms any more!

I intend to keep her for the foreseeable future and have a particular interest in converting her to a gaff rigged cutter. (See previous posts) I would like to contact another, reasonably local, owner of a 24 that is rigged this way to ascertain the practicalities.

Its good to make a start! Look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Mike

My email address is hayestrafalgar@aol.com

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Not a Finesse owner myself but my Centaur is currently berthed ashore next to 'Windsong' in Old Leigh. She's for sale if you're interested.
They were built by Alan Platt in his boatyard in the middle of Belfairs Woods on the Hadleigh / Leigh-on-Sea border. The early ones had the sails made by Turnnidge (also at Old Leigh) - my mum used to have the job of cutting out and stitching the logo and sail numbers on as well as the machining.
I can get you some info on Alan's yard if your interested.

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Good to hear from you Mike - thanks for making a start!
I've just bought 'Mischief', previously Esbebede, Susan Anne, originally Lais, SSR 24804 also built in 1979. It's a cutter rig, with a bowsprit, tan sails, varnished hull. Next week she's being transported to Herts for some winter work; hope to berth in Portsmouth next year.

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Sorry for the delay - my pc at home has gone on the blink and I'm restricted to the work one for internet access.
I'm not sure whether Alan's yard is still running. Will find out this weekend and let you know.


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Managed to get to the old Finesse boatyard during the weekend and talked to Alan Platt, the designer and builder of all the Finesse range. He has retired as from 5 years ago and the boatshed is now his accommodation, his original house now being occupied by his daughter and family. He fondly remembers most of the boats he built and sailed as they were all 'one-offs', finished to the owners requirements.
Although the yard is no longer in existence, he is willing to be contacted by the proposed Finesse Owners Association. I would suggest you write to him, in the first instance, at
3 Grange Avenue
South Benfleet
Essex SS7 2XD
His phone number is listed in the Southend on Sea directory but I'm not sure that it's the correct one as the Internet UKPhonebook.com still has him listed as being at number 2; that's 5 years out of date.
Good luck with the association

ps I've got a vague feeling that the founder editor of PBO (Denny Desouter?) had a cutter-rigged Finesse - but that's way back in the 1970s. Can anyone from the PBO staff or a reader with a long memory confirm this?

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I think Denny had a "Sea King", looked very similar but about 27 feet long I think. I have got the copy of PBO at home somewhere where they reviewed the boat which had by then, been sold to its new owners. I seem to remember seeing her in a brokers advert within the last year or so too.

Regards

Mike

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I am the owner of Finesse 24 named Martha 1V [ not its original name ] Sail No 39 which is currently based at West Mersea Essex. I have owned it for four years and over this period have sailed to Normandy and North Brittany I have refitted it extensively. I am happy to help in forming and running an association please let me have your thoughts to Ron Hughes email marthafour@hotmail.com

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Finesse 24\' plans

Greetings from Brazil.

I'm a brazilian boatbuilder enthusiast looking for the Finesse 24'
construction plans. Can anyone tell me how or where I can find it? It Is
my dream to build an unit of this beautiful boat here in Brazil.
I live in a country with an extremely strong and rich culture in naval
construction, that reconize the valor of good boat designs, that's why
I'm interested in the Finesse class.
If anyone can help me to bring the Finesse gracefulness to the South
America, please let me know.
For a direct contact, my mail is: leonardo_branco@hotmail.com
 
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