Sunday, 16 August 2015

Afloat

My new boat has been renamed Snarleyow (of course) and hit the water at Cobnor yesterday. She sails beautifully.
Out in the harbour I decided to test the rowing position, and began to strike the rig. The balanced lug came down easily, and I was just stowing the mast when a massive rib zoomed up. "Are you in trouble, Sir?" they asked, with that polite assiduouity of people who are determined to do you good whether you need it or not. I assured them that everything was under control and I was going to row. "Are you sure you're OK?" they asked. "We can give you a tow if you want." 
It is true - sailors really cannot understand that anyone might want to row, even like to row. And Snarleyow rows very well for a rather heavy boat.
And when on her trailer she is  EXACTLY the right height to lean on when chatting.

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7 comments:

  1. Steve-the-Wargamer16 August 2015 at 09:49

    A result in anyone's books.. congratulations on your new "ride", Chris!

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  2. Unknown16 August 2015 at 11:54

    Enjoy your Sailing/ Rowing / Imbibing gentlemen. Why am I reminded of the old saying "If the Devil could cast his net now .... " when I see the second photo ?

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  3. Brian16 August 2015 at 15:37

    Well that's a relief. Glad it worked out, amazing to find a boat which matches your requirements so well. You could have hardly specified a better boat for good rowing and good sailing. I would have thought the Hamble Rowers would love to look her over and perhaps add some sail and oar boats to their fleet. Happy sailing/rowing Chris.
    Brian

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  4. Bursledon Blogger16 August 2015 at 17:11

    Not sure "sailors" is the right collective noun for the crew of rib.

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  5. Patrick Hay16 August 2015 at 17:44

    Handsome! I mean the boat, of course - shame about the somewhat plain bunch of faces around her.

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  6. Chris Partridge16 August 2015 at 23:01

    Come now Patrick...these friends of mine are not 'somewhat plain'. They are plug-ugly and proud of it.
    John...yes, we are all going to hell in a winebox.
    Max...these sailors might have been in a rib for the day but they were obviously a safety boat for a local sailing club.

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  7. Alden Smith19 August 2015 at 10:15

    Love your very nice rowing. I presume she's named after that little 14'11" keel catboat, SNARLEYOW, designed by John Harvey and built in 1882 in the USA?

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