Mudeford Sailing Club

Goodbye 168890, hello 196711

The Laser I bought from Alan Dalziel a couple of years ago was starting to feel very ragged (it had a hard life with him, and an equally hard one with me).  I had to get the boom repaired after the end fitting broke off, and Owen at Christchurch Boats drilled out all the rivets and exposed a large hole that the kicker fitting was hiding.  It was only a matter of time before the whole thing broke in two.

A new boat was affordable, thanks to a healthy discount (more privately if you are interested) and its 10-year life expectancy will probably see me out as far as competitive sailing goes, so after placing the order and getting a delivery date I put some air in the road trailer tyres, borrowed an undercover from Dave and saddled up.

In the meantime I had advertised 168890 and found a buyer from Burghfield SC. I have to say that the price I asked reflected the boat’s rather average condition. He will need a new boom and tiller, a new cover and after a month or two a new top mast and sail and pretty soon a new dagger and rudder.

Turning off the A5 north of Weedon (near the M1/M45 junction) brings you to a small industrial estate with the Laser Performance, the importers, a large presence.  As I got out of the car I was met with “Are you Mike?”  Blimey I thought, this really is the personal touch. Unfortunately it turned out that some bits had not arrived—the rope sets, the top cover and one of the two 4.7 mast bases that I was also collecting. (Not for me yet—one was for Mike Stagg and one for Tom Reid). 

Stacks and stacks of boats as far as the eye could see (but no top cover...)

Loading was efficient and capable and the boat felt very secure on the trailer and an easy 3 hours on the road brought me back to Christchurch.

And that’s where it has all stayed, on the trailer.  Until the rope packs arrive there is not much point in unpacking it or trying to rig it. It’s like they used to say in the Army—hurry up and wait!

So, 196711, welcome to your new passenger and your sailing club. We just need to decide on a name now and get you dressed and then we’ll beat them all!

Mike

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