Category: Racing sailing craft

Sad news of the Cutty Sark

Cutty Sark in dry dock, London

An old photo of Cutty Sark in dry dock

Cutty Sark figurehead Cutty Sark, Foudroyandt and seaplane in Falmouth Harbour

Cutty Sark’s famous figurehead; Cutty Sark, Foudroyandt and seaplane in Falmouth Harbour (all images copyright RCPS)

I had other, happier things to write about tonight, but like many people who know London well there’s only one story today – the wrecking by fire of the last of the extreme clipper ships, Cutty Sark. The news reports say that the fire may have been deliberate – if so, I can only imagine that it must have been an act of madness, for the Cutty Sark has been a beloved landmark, and represents nothing that could cause any offence. For anyone who does not know the story, I have pasted the content of the NMMC’s press release on the subject below; the photos above come from the same source.

The full story of the Cutty Sark and her restoration is here: http://www.cuttysark.org.uk

I’ve been a fan of the Cutty Sark since I was a child in London, and regular readers will know that I posted something that touched on her only a few days ago:
Superstitions at sea Continue reading “Sad news of the Cutty Sark”

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”

Could you be underinsured for racing?

Three Rivers Race

A challenging start in the Three Rivers Race

Navigators & General has warned people who race yachts to check their insurance cover levels as very few policyholders update their mast spars and sails values in-line with inflation.

Andy Postle of rigging suppliers and fitters Allspars Masts & Rigging said that his company had seen overall rig and sail values increase by more than 20 per cent over Continue reading “Could you be underinsured for racing?”