A rumble at Potter Heigham Bridge

We’re going to be away for a few days, so I won’t be around to put up any new posts.

In the meantime here are the photos I promised a few days ago, and I think they may cause some controversy.

They show a drama unfolding at Potter Heigham Bridge during the Three Rivers Race. As so often in sport, they show how might – in this case weight – so often plays strongly to its advantage. No doubt the crew of the heavy boat here were only doing what they felt they had to, but no doubt also the guys in the Norfolk punt would have had a different view, as would most of us watching from the bridge. What would you say?

It all starts with a lightweight and expensively rigged Norfolk punt arriving, mooring to lower its mast and then paddling towards the bridge. So far, so good.But at that moment a half-decker and a heavyweight Broads cruiser steal onto the scene. This is a race, remember, not a scene from everyday cruising life on The Broads.

Rumble Rumble Rumble

At this point, you’ll notice, our friends in the punt decide that they can’t afford the damage the heavyweights might Continue reading “A rumble at Potter Heigham Bridge”

Show us what you’ve got at intheboatshed.net

Fireballs Romance Alert

Fireballs at the NMM; sailing on The Broads long ago; Will Stirling’s 18th century lugger is launched

There are always a lot of interesting side issues to distract and provide entertainment at www.intheboatshed.net, but the real focus must be on the boats, their history, and the work of building and restoration.

So I’d like to make an appeal to you readers to please tell us your stories about your boats.

If you’re an owner with a boat that is your pride and joy, if you’re a Continue reading “Show us what you’ve got at intheboatshed.net”

More astonishing American brightwork and chrome

More astonishing American brightwork

You may think you’ve seen varnish – but you might change your mind when you’ve seen Bill Prince’s astonishing collection of photos from the 2007 Keels & Wheels Concours D’Elegance & Auction at Seabrook in Texas. Somehow it’s all a bit different from the Beale Park Boatshow – there’s plenty of varnish there too, but somehow it has just a little less attitude.

I explained how to tune a uke only today – can you sing My dog has fleas? – so naturally I love this shot with a ukelele elegantly reclining on a bench seat.

The photos are a teaser for the upcoming edition of Bill’s Classic Yacht Magazine.

Take a moment to look around: there are some extraordinary photos here, including the truck full of elderly outboards, and what about the turquoise and zebra seats? See what I mean about ‘tude?

http://www.classicyachtmag.com/Keels &… Wheels.htm

For 31 intheboatshed posts about motorboats, see http://intheboatshed.net/?cat=12