Silluete17

dunedin

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3 Feb 2004
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Boat (over winters in) the Clyde
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Assuming W is referring to the Silhouette, my father bought one in the early 1970’s - a GRP Silhouette Mk2.
It should have great memories as our first “proper yacht” with a cabin. But whilst there were some enjoyable moments, I don’t recall it with much affection.
It was dreadfully tender, even after adding thick steel plates onto both bilge keels (which were fitted in addition to the centre stub keel). It was dreadfully slow, very cramped - and in even modest winds I felt safer sailing my Mirror than being in the Silhouette.
It would probably be a nice boat for pottering in light winds on Derwent Water or similar. But not something I would want to go far on (though of course many people did).
 

dutyhog

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13 May 2009
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Argyll, Scotland
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Our first cruising holiday was in a Silhouette chartered from Garelochhead in August 1970. Before that we’d only day sailed dinghies. It mainly blew F 4 -6 for the fortnight from the southwest. It was a struggle to Roseneath the first day, across to Gourock the next and then on through the Kyles. We sheltered for days behind Inchmarnock, rolling around a lot. The charterer hadn’t heard from us at all and had been really worried- he said he’d never charter such a small boat again.
It wasn’t at all comfortable and we couldn’t point up enough. But it didn’t put us off getting a Corribee later and having so much better sailing and accommodation.
 
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