Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Lovely to see a Thames sailing barge under full rig in the eastern Solent yesterday. Anybody know which she is?
Thames barge sailing by
- Thread starter Greenheart
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Athene V30
Well-Known Member
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Eye-catching, anyway.
Okay, I meant the sailing barge in the Solent yesterday. I thought she looked like what I always understood was the 'Thames' style. There can't be so many of these oldies left? I put the question on the shifted classic-forum too, but no reply yet.
Their rig is so beautiful, I'm amazed there's no-one building them new, for image-conscious wealthy types. With a couple of big diesels, and granite-topped galley and full climate-controlled en-suite staterooms for six couples, obviously...
Okay, I meant the sailing barge in the Solent yesterday. I thought she looked like what I always understood was the 'Thames' style. There can't be so many of these oldies left? I put the question on the shifted classic-forum too, but no reply yet.
Their rig is so beautiful, I'm amazed there's no-one building them new, for image-conscious wealthy types. With a couple of big diesels, and granite-topped galley and full climate-controlled en-suite staterooms for six couples, obviously...
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
"Ironsides" is quite often around the Solent for the summer.
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
In an old Yachting World Annual there are the plans of a yacht designed and built on the lines of a thames barge.It had three masts two engines and was owned by an american navy officer.Apparently was a great boat abot70 foot.I would have to go up in the loft to find the info......
Tom Price
N/A
Thames Barge
Did she have tan sails and a white star on the topsail?
if so that was the sailing barge KITTY which used to lay up in a Hayling creek and function as a restaurant - have enjoyed many candlelit dinners on board. She was usually seen moving down to Cowes for a summer of corporate charters.
Her website tells you her history from 1895 BUT suggests she's based in Maldon now. Have a look at the pics and see what you think.
PS There's a big replica Falmouth gaff cutter now berthed on Hayling - very different of course.
Did she have tan sails and a white star on the topsail?
if so that was the sailing barge KITTY which used to lay up in a Hayling creek and function as a restaurant - have enjoyed many candlelit dinners on board. She was usually seen moving down to Cowes for a summer of corporate charters.
Her website tells you her history from 1895 BUT suggests she's based in Maldon now. Have a look at the pics and see what you think.
PS There's a big replica Falmouth gaff cutter now berthed on Hayling - very different of course.
Poignard
Well-Known Member
Off you go then! I would like to know more about that vessel.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Schooner or later...
I'd be fascinated to read of it, Mogy, though sorry to trouble you if your loft is as overcrowded as the garret where all my junk resides!
Sounds like that particular conversion plan was rather a one-off.
I wonder whether, in an age when 'spectacular' is something easily sold to the very well-off, classic rigs with their beautiful complexity mightn't come back into vogue? Not expecting the owners themselves to deal with ropes and bits of chain and oars and actual tasks, but the necessary crew would surely confer even more status on the billionaire owner?
But I digress, and my preferences are not unknown to this forum.
(By the way, I do know that the barges' original rig wasn't any form of schooner!)
I'd be fascinated to read of it, Mogy, though sorry to trouble you if your loft is as overcrowded as the garret where all my junk resides!
Sounds like that particular conversion plan was rather a one-off.
I wonder whether, in an age when 'spectacular' is something easily sold to the very well-off, classic rigs with their beautiful complexity mightn't come back into vogue? Not expecting the owners themselves to deal with ropes and bits of chain and oars and actual tasks, but the necessary crew would surely confer even more status on the billionaire owner?
But I digress, and my preferences are not unknown to this forum.
(By the way, I do know that the barges' original rig wasn't any form of schooner!)
Tom Price
N/A
[QUOTE=l'escargot:
"Ironsides" is quite often around the Solent for the summer"
Thanks for the correction Mike - Googling IRONSIDES reveals over 20 Thames sailing barges available for charter.
"Ironsides" is quite often around the Solent for the summer"
Thanks for the correction Mike - Googling IRONSIDES reveals over 20 Thames sailing barges available for charter.
Poignard
Well-Known Member
Their rig is so beautiful, I'm amazed there's no-one building them new, for image-conscious wealthy types. With a couple of big diesels, and granite-topped galley and full climate-controlled en-suite staterooms for six couples, obviously...
The disadvantages of flat-bottomed, unballasted vessels are lack of headroom, poor performance to windward and no self-righting ability (if they go over, they stay over).
Advantages are their ability to sail in shallow waters and simple construction.
Another plus point is that they make a pleasant change from the dreary sameness of modern boats.
I have seen a barge yacht laid up in Port Solent and someone called Tredwen had one on the East Coast years ago.
The Maurice Griffiths designed 'Waterwitch' is almost a barge yacht.
I read in 'Wooden Boat' magazine that flat-bottomed 'sharpies' are still fairly popular in the USA and I have an old copy of the magazine with an article about one
Wansworth
Well-Known Member
errr....what now??? The problem would be putting the pics and plans up on the web;I have to admit I would be unable to do so without the help of an adolecent!!!!
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
Charlie Ward in Norfolk used to advertise in Watercraft and Classic Boat re the sailing barges that he could build, including with sprit sails. However I think there porbably was not a lot of demand for them.
Here is a link to one barge, 'Juno', that he has built though - http://www.charlieward.co.uk/index.html
Re barges on the Solent, the one you saw might have been Alice?
http://www.4charter.co.uk/barges/index.php
Here is a thread on the Boat Design Forum about building Thames barges - http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/building-new-thames-barge-32539.html - and true to form (same as on here very often) everybody digresses, changes tack, and talk about all other sorts of barges as well......
Here is a link to one barge, 'Juno', that he has built though - http://www.charlieward.co.uk/index.html
Re barges on the Solent, the one you saw might have been Alice?
http://www.4charter.co.uk/barges/index.php
Here is a thread on the Boat Design Forum about building Thames barges - http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/building-new-thames-barge-32539.html - and true to form (same as on here very often) everybody digresses, changes tack, and talk about all other sorts of barges as well......
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
I straightaway find myself at risk of causing offence to 90% of readers here...
...but as you say Parsifal, it's the barges' singular style that makes the rig so attractive - a great way away from the mundane norm today.
Our enduring pursuit of efficiency has landed us with something dull and easy. Myself, I'm still under that bermudan spell...but I'd love to break out and sail a gaffer, ideally a biggish one, on which every hour, even in port, is crammed with little jobs that'll spell trouble if they're left undone.
Re. the barge, yes I see your point; it's not meant for offshore work. Damned pretty, ghosting up the Solent in the mist, though.
...but as you say Parsifal, it's the barges' singular style that makes the rig so attractive - a great way away from the mundane norm today.
Our enduring pursuit of efficiency has landed us with something dull and easy. Myself, I'm still under that bermudan spell...but I'd love to break out and sail a gaffer, ideally a biggish one, on which every hour, even in port, is crammed with little jobs that'll spell trouble if they're left undone.
Re. the barge, yes I see your point; it's not meant for offshore work. Damned pretty, ghosting up the Solent in the mist, though.
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Wansworth
Well-Known Member
plan of sailing barge
plan of sailing barge
plan of sailing barge
alant
Well-Known Member
Not a Thames sailing barge!
I skippered Kitty, out of Ocean Village for a season a few years back.
There was a look alike sailing out of Gunwharf - Alice.
However, it is not a Thames sailing barge like Kitty, but a Thames 'dumb' barge (steel) or 'lighter', that has been fitted out with similar rig etc.
Sailed with the owner a few times, who certainly knew how to handle her.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardandgill/5084890728/
I skippered Kitty, out of Ocean Village for a season a few years back.
There was a look alike sailing out of Gunwharf - Alice.
However, it is not a Thames sailing barge like Kitty, but a Thames 'dumb' barge (steel) or 'lighter', that has been fitted out with similar rig etc.
Sailed with the owner a few times, who certainly knew how to handle her.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardandgill/5084890728/
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Not sure, which the vessel was yesterday (April 30th). Very pretty though.
I love the plans for Rara Avis ...very interesting, thanks for digging that out. Quite an eccentric rig, but looks suitably proportioned and managable, and an eyeful for everyone who might see her go by.
How much more fun, and more imaginative and interesting, sailing would be if yacht designers, and we that make up the market for their output, ventured towards rigs and deckplans that weren't generally all alike.
I mean, we don't all live in identical, boxy houses. And those of us who do, tend not to be envied very much by others whose options include more interesting alternatives. The bigger the property, the wider the choice in layout.
So it's a pity that most large yachts a mile away, closely resemble a small one at half the distance!
I love the plans for Rara Avis ...very interesting, thanks for digging that out. Quite an eccentric rig, but looks suitably proportioned and managable, and an eyeful for everyone who might see her go by.
How much more fun, and more imaginative and interesting, sailing would be if yacht designers, and we that make up the market for their output, ventured towards rigs and deckplans that weren't generally all alike.
I mean, we don't all live in identical, boxy houses. And those of us who do, tend not to be envied very much by others whose options include more interesting alternatives. The bigger the property, the wider the choice in layout.
So it's a pity that most large yachts a mile away, closely resemble a small one at half the distance!
Mark-1
Well-Known Member
In the Solent, very likely to be "Alice".
www.alice4charter.co.uk/
http://fattie.freehostia.com/alice/target2.html
She was in the White Stuff catalogue recently. (It was in a mate's bathroom.)
johnalison
Well-Known Member
The main problem with the spritsail rig is that the sail is brailed upwards, meaning that in heavy weather all the weight and windage is aloft. This has restricted Thames barges to coastal work, for which they are very efficient as well as being beautiful, though I used to know someone who sailed the Marjorie into Honfleur yonks ago.
My only experience has been a couple of day-trips out of Maldon, followed by a slap-up meal on board. I'd love to have seen a barge working, or better still, a stackie.
My only experience has been a couple of day-trips out of Maldon, followed by a slap-up meal on board. I'd love to have seen a barge working, or better still, a stackie.
Poignard
Well-Known Member
The
With many exceptions, as described in 'Sailing Barges' by F.G.G.Carr. [a good read, by the way]
e.g Arundel Castle - sailed to Christian from Antwerp; Eastern Belle - out to Lisbon and back.
I have a print of a laden 'stackie' sailing past Greenwich Hospital which I got from the National Maritime Museum shop, a few years ago. It might still be available from them.
With many exceptions, as described in 'Sailing Barges' by F.G.G.Carr. [a good read, by the way]
e.g Arundel Castle - sailed to Christian from Antwerp; Eastern Belle - out to Lisbon and back.
I have a print of a laden 'stackie' sailing past Greenwich Hospital which I got from the National Maritime Museum shop, a few years ago. It might still be available from them.
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
Dan, I think you might have an affinity for the designs by the late great Phil Bolger - he was a Master at designing the unconventional and impossible and making it work, often brilliantly.
Do a Google, and then maybe consider ordering this book - it is a gem.
http://www.duckworksbbs.com/media/books/openmind/index.htm
Here is a copy of the GA drawing for his cargo sharpie 'Sir Joseph Banks'
Do a Google, and then maybe consider ordering this book - it is a gem.
http://www.duckworksbbs.com/media/books/openmind/index.htm
Here is a copy of the GA drawing for his cargo sharpie 'Sir Joseph Banks'
