Rick Cowap wrote:

Congratulations to whoever bought Yeong.

........and trying to sell my current boat with a strange sail.

I thought there'd be more interest in Yeong to be honest, only myself and one other person went to look at her.

The buying and selling of boats is a strange thing and junk rigged probably even stranger.

I bought my JR Venturer for about half the price the Bermudan versions were getting and I'd have thought that a factory fit JR would attract more buyers.

There are two other JR boats close to me and, like you say, they've both gone to some expense and effort to achieve this.

Hi All 

I've become the latest proud owner of Yeong. 

Though I'd been to see her when she was listed on ebay I'd decided there were too many unknowns and too much "other stuff" for me to do this year... so I didn't bid. The original deal fell through and when the sellers asked if I was still interested I went for another, calmer look. We agreed to include her mooring in the sale (one unknown tackled) and with The Fates (in the form of Badger 50' away) urging me on, the deal was done. 

I love my JR Newbridge Venturer but I'm amazed how much difference another 8 feet makes... Yeong is also a more capable sea boat and I'm hoping this will be reassuring when the Irish Sea decides my novice skills need testing. 

I keep finding new things about Yeong's history but if anyone has any info about her I be grateful if they'd share it with me please.

I'm toying with the idea of making a website to gather some history and the endless photos I'm taking - Haverigg makes a beautiful backdrop and Yeong a handsome subject, plus every time I get the scrubbing brush out she get's better looking. 

She came with documentation that included bits that seem to be from Jock McCleod, Rear Admiral Fisher and a handwritten letter to "Ralf" about rig modifications stamped with Hasler's address and signed B.... If this is of any interest I'll scan it and share. 

She seems to have been stood for some time but to her credit is still dry inside. The rigging and sails have copped for some sunlight and Cumbrian weather - unfortunately the sail covers are a few inches too short at both ends so both leeches and luffs are very green and a source of some concern. There is another suit of sails that seem to be in good order so I'll clean them all up as best I can then compare. 

I'll need to buy new sheets, haliards and a few blocks but I'd budgeted for this and have a few ebay bargains put by. The current lines appear to be braid on braid with 10mm haliards and 8 / 6mm sheets main and fore - does this seem about right? I'm on a budget so would welcome an opportunity to take advantage of JR's low stressed rig but don't want to skimp and am happy to go bigger if there's some benefit. I'll be rigging as per PJR and the last comments from RL Fisher & "B" 

My plan is to make her sea worthy and then get to grips with the keels on the hard this winter back at Ribble Cruising Club's dock. I will need to get up the masts to check the blocks and replace lazy jacks so I'm considering painting them this summer while the weather is (potentially) better - does anyone have any advice on paint / finishing of the wooden masts please? 

I'm also sprucing up Shauna for sale - 22' Newbridge Venturer with Hasler style sail and her mast in a tabernacle, I'll give a shout out when she's ready for ebay. 

I still have moments when I wonder if I've made a mistake but in general I'm delighted - I have no doubt she can take me anywhere and she'll still turn heads when we get there :-)

Rick

Nicholas Head wrote:

Many congratulations Rick. I am so pleased you did a deal on her eventually. She was, is and will always be a great boat. 

Good luck with your sale also. 

Nicholas Head

Somerled. 

I've joined the Kingfisher Association - it's great to see that for a small fleet quite a few have entered the Jester Challenge. One of them, Graham Jewitt, is actually a resident of Haverigg - I've had a couple of brief chats to him but am looking forward to many more.

I'm reading Ewen Southby-Tailyour's "Blondie" at the moment - there's a photo of Ralf Fisher along with Jock etc at Blondie's wedding. It's quite strange seeing this, tucked up for bed on Yeong thinking how many of them used this same bunk before me... (to cap it all the masts give a a shudder and hum in a good breeze - I've taken this as a prompt for another tot of Pussers)

Cheers - Rick