Re reading Majic of the Swatchways by M Griffiths

[johnalison]

He played a part in those changes, of course. The moorings cluttering up the water were often for boats he designed and the increase in number of people sailing was fueled to an extent by his (excellent) writing.

No doubt it was going to happen anyway but even so.

A friend had a Waterwitch. We once sailed past it under bare poles while it had full sail.

 

[LittleSister]

We once sailed past it under bare poles while it had full sail.

That somehow reminds me of Griffiths tale of a cold winter sail up to Pin Mill, it's getting dark and starts chucking it down with snow as they arrive. They hurriedly get down the sails and drop the anchor over the bow, and dash below to get the paraffin stove going to warm up and make something to eat. A while later they've eaten and are relaxing, and notice through the porthole the light of a boat going up the river. Then it dawns on them that's upwind and tide. Any boat of that era that had an engine could be heard for miles, yet they can hear nothing. They go up on deck to see what's going on, and find the anchor they'd deployed caught on their bobstay: they'd been drifting back downriver the whole time they were below!

 

[Wansworth]

John Alison is just envious and exaggerating the sailing ability of the warterwich and forgetting the commodious interior.With reference to Griffiths he always seemed to be underway in fog,rain,the dark,gales,but had a ability to knock up a tasty breakfast or tea in extenuating circumstance

 

[srm]

With reference to Griffiths he always seemed to be underway in fog,rain,the dark,gales,but had a ability to knock up a tasty breakfast or tea in extenuating circumstance

I assume you have also read Tillman's books. I think their type of cruising, one coastal the other extreme ocean, required a mindset that has died out in subsequent generations.

 

[DownWest]

I assume you have also read Tillman's books. I think their type of cruising, one coastal the other extreme ocean, required a mindset that has died out in subsequent generations.

Kukri sailed with Tilman, not once, but twice!

 

[johnalison]

Kukri sailed with Tilman, not once, but twice!

Aa fellow club member sailed with Tilman to Greenland. I think he was one of about fourteen young men on board and no doubt the company would have eased the hardship.