Walker Knotmaster MK111A log advice or an agent I can talk to?

[dickh]

I have a Walker Knotmaster MK 111A log, which I have for sale on ebay. It's a later model with an all plastic body, stainless steel yoke for fixing to the boat. a safety lanyard, rope & spinner.
Does it need a sinker like some of the more traditional older models? I've been asked the question but have no idea wether this model should have one and hope one of the forumites might know.
Or who is the agent for spares who I can contact and find more info.?
For pictures see:- ebay no 160109015448
Thanks in advance.

 

[VicS]

Yes it does need a sinker.

The line is supplied 60ft long in 2 coils of 30 ft. For speeds up to 10 knots with the register no more than 5 ft above the water 30 ft is fitted with one sinker 18" ahead of the rotator. For higher speeds esp. if mounted higher than 5ft it is necessary to use a longer line upto 60 ft at 15kn. An additional sinker is provided for the higher speeds and should be 3ft ahead of the original if there is any tendency to porpoise.

NB the nose cone on the rotator has a left handed thread.

You do not mention the mounting shoes. These not now be easy to get!

I take it that you are not selling this in its wooden box with 2 shoes, 2 rotators, 2 sinkers, 2 30 ft coils of line, oil can, spare glass and instructions! (cable and plug and speed indicator as well if it is a KDS as opposed to a KDO)

Someone did post the instructions on the forum a while back. A search should find it

 

[aknight]

My workplace PC won't let me onto eBay to check out the particular model. However, if it's the later model that I think I have also got, the stainless steel yoke doesn't use the shoes onto which you used to twist the base arm fitted to the older models (I've got one of those too, don't ask me why I have this odd collection!).

I've never figured out how you were supposed to mount the stainless steel yoke model other than by dangling it off the pushpit using a bit of white cord that came attached to it in the box (and if anyone knows better, please enlighten me as it's had me stumped for years).

Dick, Thomas Walker's log business ceased some years back. I don't think there are any agents any more. IIRC, someone once said in an old thread that the remnants of the business had been acquired but that the purchaser was offering essentially no support for the logs, as they had never been involved with them. Someone with a better memory may be able to tell you more (or try a search for "Walker Log").

 

[trouville]

I have a walkers log but not onboard!When i used it i almost alwasy forgot to bring in the line as i entered port or anchored.

In those days there were logs. Then the walker log was the most reliable but only on a long voyage 24 hours or more,or when visiting a new coast,Then distance time and depth were really useful.

The real walkers logs had the flywheel just behind and were bronze.The "new" models arnt worth anything,they look to modern and are not realy worth the effort to use given todays GPS.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
the stainless steel yoke doesn't use the shoes onto which you used to twist the base arm fitted to the older models

[/ QUOTE ] Fair enough i wondered about that. Mine fits the shoes, one port side and one stbd side so that the spinner runs in clean water on one side or the other. Also I believe an economy version was produced later that did not come in a wooden box with all the spares.

The model with the flywheel to which Trouville refers was I think the "Excellsior" There were also bigger versions for big ships IIRC.

Biddings over now anyway. Only fetched £38 This is it

 

[aknight]

Yes, that's exactly the later of the two models that I have and, as you suggest, it came in an economy pack (polystyrene box with cardboard sleeve). Still can't work out how to fit it using the s/s yoke...I'm going to fit the shoes that I have for my vintage model, which still works fine, and ironically therefore will keep the vintage model on board while the new and unused economy version languishes in storage awaiting inspiration.