Mike Balmforth

[Quandary]

Saddened to read in Ireland 'Afloat' about the recent passing of Mike Balmforth.
Probably more familiar to sailors in N. Ireland and Scotland where he was well known , his writing was avidly read and his cruising publications like the annual 'Welcome Anchorages' which he edited are highly valued. He made contributions to most of the mainstream sailing magazines. He had spent all his life involved in sailing from the early T class cruisers, later with Caledonian Yacht Services and latterly cruising in his home completed Dawn 39 'Greenheart.' It was only when I read his obituary that I learned that his achievements were made against a background of poor health that would keep most of us ashore.
Next time I drop anchor somewhere new and pick up 'Welcome Anchorages' to check the distance to the nearest pub or restaurant I will try to remember to raise a glass to his memory.

 

[uxb]

That's sad news indeed.

 

[claymore]

It really is - very sad

 

[A1Sailor]

Saddened to read in Ireland 'Afloat' about the recent passing of Mike Balmforth.
Probably more familiar to sailors in N. Ireland and Scotland where he was well known , his writing was avidly read and his cruising publications like the annual 'Welcome Anchorages' which he edited are highly valued. He made contributions to most of the mainstream sailing magazines. He had spent all his life involved in sailing from the early T class cruisers, later with Caledonian Yacht Services and latterly cruising in his home completed Dawn 39 'Greenheart.' It was only when I read his obituary that I learned that his achievements were made against a background of poor health that would keep most of us ashore.
Next time I drop anchor somewhere new and pick up 'Welcome Anchorages' to check the distance to the nearest pub or restaurant I will try to remember to raise a glass to his memory.

+1

 

[Quandary]

Did not know either, that following his involvement with the building of the T24, 26 and 31 in Chichester he was a journalist with Yachting Monthly, finishing his time there as deputy editor.
Perhaps they will have space for an obit. in a future edition with more information about his life?

 

[A1Sailor]

Did not know either, that following his involvement with the building of the T24, 26 and 31 in Chichester he was a journalist with Yachting Monthly, finishing his time there as deputy editor.
Perhaps they will have space for an obit. in a future edition with more information about his life?

What's a T24, 26 & 31?

 

[Quandary]

What's a T24, 26 & 31?

Aaah, you are a lot younger than you look, time to change the avatar?
They were a range of production cruisers built near Chichester around the 60s/70s by a builder with the appropriate name of Chris Perfect. I am not sure what the 'T' stood for though I think it might have been Thompson, some one from down that way should remember.
Boat building was a much more parochial activity back then with Chris Butler building and selling Achilles in Wales and the Browns building Ruffians in Portaferry; while some of them made their way to the other side of the world, the biggest fleets were found close to to the yard, today the Ruffian racing fleets are in Carrickfergus, Dublin Bay and Hong Kong.
Mind you, my recollection now is vague but I recall the T24 as quite quick but then we happily raced anything that was pointy at the front end, back in those far off more optimistic times and a 31 footer was a really big boat.

 

[A1Sailor]

Aaah, you are a lot younger than you look, time to change the avatar?
They were a range of production cruisers built near Chichester around the 60s/70s by a builder with the appropriate name of Chris Perfect. I am not sure what the 'T' stood for though I think it might have been Thompson, some one from down that way should remember.
Boat building was a much more parochial activity back then with Chris Butler building and selling Achilles in Wales and the Browns building Ruffians in Portaferry; while some of them made their way to the other side of the world, the biggest fleets were found close to to the yard, today the Ruffian racing fleets are in Carrickfergus, Dublin Bay and Hong Kong.
Mind you, my recollection now is vague but I recall the T24 as quite quick but then we happily raced anything that was pointy at the front end, back in those far off more optimistic times and a 31 footer was a really big boat.

The T22s were build at Yarrows on the Clyde!

 

[Gordonmc]

I first met Mike when he was in the team running the Scottish Series helping with PR. I was a non-sailing journo and had no idea of ratings nor of the rules. Mike was very forgiving and patient in explaining what was going on with no more reward in prospect that getting exposure of his sport to a wider public.
That was in the first year of the Series in McEwans sponsorship after Tomatin bowed out, so not yesterday.
A thorough gent.

 

[starboard]

http://www.britishmarine.co.uk/news__press/news_article.aspx?ArticleId=3826

 

[starboard]

Mike’s funeral will be held at 3.00 pm, 13 December at Greenock Crematorium, 1 South Street, Greenock, PA16 8UG

 

[jamesjermain]

Did not know either, that following his involvement with the building of the T24, 26 and 31 in Chichester he was a journalist with Yachting Monthly, finishing his time there as deputy editor.
Perhaps they will have space for an obit. in a future edition with more information about his life?

I certainly hope so, too. One of the real gentlemen of our profession and a man I respected hugely for his professionalism.