Category: Sailing cruisers

Sailing yachts used for cruising, or as cruiser-racers.

A 1900s RN sailing cutter converted to a yacht

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Converted RN sailing cutter So Long

Ben Wales (check the recent post about his motor launch restoration) has sent in a photo of a most interesting two-masted yacht that he says has lived on Oxey Lake, near Lymington, for over 20 years.

This boat is named So Long and Ben says she was built originally as a 32ft Royal Navy sailing cutter, which he believes were built around the turn of the century and often called DH boats.

This particular boat was built around 1908 and originally had a gun placement on her fordeck. She was sold to her present owner in the 1960s; he carried out a major refit with new decking and cabin, and a ketch rig. What a gorgeous little boat he created! If anyone has information to add, do please let us know – either using the comment button below, by registering with the forum (right) or by emailing me at gmatkin@gmail.com.

Thanks Ben. I now know what kind of boat I’ll sail if I ever get to heaven.

Elegant mystery yacht at Orford

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Beautiful yacht at Ore

Beautiful yacht seen at Orford

We spotted this intriguing and wonderfully elegant yacht at Orford in Suffolk while strolling and photographing working boats and wrecks a few days ago. Can anyone help? What’s her name, what is she? Is she Scandinavian? And what’s her story? If you know, please either contact us at gmatkin@gmail.com, or use the comment button below.

The banks and boats of the Deben at dusk

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A dreamy set of shots taken at Bawdsey Quay, littered with
fishing boats, tall-masted yachts and tenders. I hope you
find them suitably atmospheric. Click on the thumbnails for
much larger photos

Mouth of Deben Tenders at the mouth of the Deben Mud at the mouth of the Deben

Buoy at the mouth of the Deben

Dusk at the mouth of the Deben Anti tank blocks at the mouth of the Deben

Julie and I are just back from a few days in Suffolk, during which we took some photos, visited grand old churches and spent several very happy hours among the singers and musicians of The Ship at Blaxhall.

If you don’t know it, The Blaxhall Ship, as it always seems to be called, is a fabulous old fashioned singing pub where folks still get together on a Monday afternoon, every third Thursday and at other times announced via the pub’s website. There’s a well recorded history here too – read all about it at the Musical Traditions website.

I dare say more photos will follow…