|
Yacht “Star Fox” Stella 26 Photo Log Contents |
||
|
|
1990
Pictures (Star Fox while she was skippered by her previous owners) |
|
For SailStar Fox is for sale, for details see Star Fox For Sail.pdf |
||
2003
& 2004
2003 was not a good year
for photographing Starfox as my new camera was so expensive, I was too afraid
to use it near the sea! Still it was a good year for sailing, exploring all
the areas near the Isles of Mull, culminating in a circumnavigation of the
island. 2004 saw a lot of work on
Star Fox’s bright work, spars, rigging & decks. We were lucky to be in a
shed on Loch Creran over winter, which made weekend maintenance trips more
productive. We then had a brief season before heading back to the shed, where
Star Fox has rested during the 2005, 2006 & 2007 season due to other
commitments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Star Fox was so shiny, it
seemed almost criminal to let her out of the shed. Then we realised that we
had the first signs of the “Shed Men” or “Varnish Head” syndrome we had heard
so much about in wooden boat circles. Once it takes hold, these individuals
spend the rest of their days polishing the last wrinkle out of the varnish on
their treasured boats and never go out and play. |
|
|
|
That would never do for
us, so off to The Sound Of Mull and Lock Aline with us! (See above right and
2 pictures below).
|
|
|
|
Later in the year we took
these pictures in Loch Spleve on the Isle Of Mull.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 Star Fox In
In 2002 we sailed from
Maryport to the West Coast of Scotland via the We then made our way
around the Terbert (right and below)
stands out in our memory and is a good place to visit, although can be busy
at weekends. The swans seemed to like the idea of trying to eat Star Fox… |
|
|
|
Susie hanking on the
|
|
|
|
|
Goose winged in very light
airs (right). Susie on the helm entering
the Kyles Of Bute.
|
|
|
|
On the way back, it was a
little more breezy in the Kyle.The next day it got very windy so we headed
for the
|
|
|
|
We went through the canal
with Donald & Sheila McDonald, who became good freinds.
|
|
|
Through the canal, we
visited Arfern Yacht Haven (right) before moving on North.
On the way we saw VIC 32
(above and right), the last coal fired “Clyde Puffer” coming into Ardfern. We
were serenaded with her steam whistle and friendly waves.
Eventually we made it to
Oban and Kerrera before heading back south again! Our holiday was coming to
an end and we decided to keep the boat at Ardfern (right) for the rest of the
season. Later in the season we
made visits to Tobermory and the west coast of Jura. On the way back from
Jura, Roy Harding (our VHF instructor) took this picture of us overtaking
him…
When we shook out a reef,
we accelerated so fast that |
|
|
2001-2002 Solway Firth
Our first season on Star
Fox was to be sailing the |
|
|
|
|
Little Ross light house on
When we returned from our
first passage, we discovered we had been entered in the Maryport Traditional
Boat Festival’s world famous “Timber versus Tupperware” race. A race where
the ethos can be so relaxed that it is not uncommon to do a bit of trawling
during the race. Susie managed to break the tension of the race by cooking up
some rather nice bacon sandwiches at the half way point. We are no racers and only
competed to support the event. We entered under the strict provision that we
would not accept prizes (no idea where that brain wave came from) – so all I
can say is that Star Fox was on lightening form that day!
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Another excellent trip
that year was a trip to |
|
2001 Star At Maryport
Star Fox was transported
to Maryport in |
|
|
|
|
A good scrape, sand and
prime before applying the antifouling with new boot top. |
|
|
Keel bolts were driven out
to check condition. These were the worst of the originals and not bad given
their age. We replaced half of the bolts in 2001. |
|
|
|
We even had Pete the Mayor
of Maryport attend Star Fox’s Launch! Susie looks very pleased.
What you cannot see is that Jules Holland is setting up in a Marquee behind
the camera – wish I could claim it was arranged just for Star Foxes return to
the water after a couple of seasons in the shed – but I am sure it
contributed to Jules decision to play Maryport. Of course a very dry
wooden boat does weep a little – thus the picture of the pipe for the extra
bilge pump. Bit worrying at first, but the worst was over after about an
hour. Lesson – soak your boat before launch! |
|
|
|
|
There was a reason why I
sent Susie up the mast, but strangely I forgot by the time I winched her up
there! |
|
2001 Start Fox at Burnham |
|
|
|
We first met Star Fox in
the Prior’s Boat Shed in Burnham on Crouch in January 2001. I took loads of
pictures of every inch of her, a few reproduced here… |
||
|
|
Susie helps me survey her
in Prior’s boat shed. We see she was made by Rowhendge Iron Works, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The recent installation of
the Yanmar 1GM10 was one of the man selling features of Star Fox. We had
heard that the original Stuart Turner engines we “character building”…
|
|
|
|
Looking aft from main saloon. Two single berths with “trotter boxes” under stove &”chart table” |
||
|
|
|
|
1990 Pictures (Star Fox while she was skippered by her previous owners)We
bought Star Fox from Dan and Shirley Tribe in 2001, who had been active in
the excellent Stella Class Association, taking part in many yacht events,
such as: Burnham'
98. We understand Star Fox did rather well in 97 and 98. See the Stella
Association web site for the pictures and story: http://www.stellasail.org.uk/burnham.htm
1999
Summer Season – See pictures of Star Fox in She
is also in pictures of the Deben and Mersea Weeks '99, at: http://www.stellasail.org.uk/Dodwell/dodwell.htm
The
Stella Class Association Web Site is: http://www.stellasail.org.uk
|
||
