Gulls..... where we're at.

A few years ago it struck me that the Gulls were in danger of extinction. There was no website and effectively no class association and apart from contacting the makers, there was no real way of contacting other Gull sailors. I had been to a couple of Gull open meetings. At that time there were 2 a year, a Nationals and the Inlands at Horning and through going to these events I met a few other Gullists. Back in the Autumn of 2004 a few of us decided to meet at Ullswater to do some simple cruising. After a breezy sail to Howtown where we cobbled together a simple lunch whilst sitting on the rocky shore under an angry sky, we set sail again back to Watermillock in some very strong winds. Despite our potential watery demise I became totally taken with the Gull and realised that I would have to do my best to promote the boat.

 I started by posting a simple website that was, in my own opinion, poor. There was a photo gallery, a for sale page and a link to the forum that we still use now. But other than that it was not really up to much and I removed it after about a year. I wasn't aware of the concept of the 'blog' at the time but eventually I decided that a blog would be a good (and free) way of providing a Gull presence on the internet. The blog has gone from being a simple way for me to post some action pictures to becoming a rallying point for Gull sailors everywhere. Through the blog we have amassed a large following of sailors who we now even see on the water and at last it seems as if the Gull is a boat that will survive well into the 21st century and beyond! There are also a few other Gull blogs springing up which is great news for our online presence (you can visit these blogs by clicking on the links to the right of this page). I can recommend keeping a blog as it is a great way of storing your pics and memories online where they can't be accidentally erased from your own computer. But for those of you that would like to post pictures and articles without the effort of designing a blog we always welcome them here at Gull Dinghy Sailing. You can send any pictures or articles to me at chrisabela(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk.

We have had a particularly good season in 2011 with several visits to Rutland including a long weekend of camping there and a great trip to Ullswater. Rutland seems to be the perfect venue as it is in a good inland and central location, free from the challenge of tides but not free from wind. But there are lots of other locations that we need to explore. Perfect Gull sailing locations include - South Coast; Poole harbour, Langstone Harbour, Chichester harbour. Inland locations (other than Rutland) include; The Broads, Derwent Water, Windermere, Ullswater, Coniston and Lake Bala in Wales. East coast rivers such as the Deben and Blackwater. And there are countless other places to sail. I would like very much to explore new locations in 2012 and it would be great if you could join me. So please suggest some locations and potential dates so that we can promote them on this blog. Also, Santa brought me a new GPS unit that I need to try so let's go somewhere new! It would also be great to have another camping weekend so please let us know what dates would suit you best. Another suggestion would be joining the DCA for their Holy Island cruise. It's certainly one that I would like to do if I can fit it in - http://dinghycruising.org.uk/holy-island-rally-2011 - The date of this event for 2012 is yet to be announced.

 So, please get involved. Send us your pictures or even start your own blog. Let us know where you would like to sail and maybe we can get a group (or flock) of Gulls on the water. Get in touch with us here or visit the forum.

Kittiwake's New Inwales

Just when we thought Paul Bailey's Mark I "Kittiwake" couldn't get any better we receive news that he has been back in the workshop making modifications that are not only practical but look very good indeed.

In Paul's own words.........I successfully made a set of toe straps with the webbing you sent me (thanks again) using an old sewing machine with upholstery thread some stainless D rings from EBay and brass eyes as fixing points. I used them on my last cruise in November, they worked really well. However, it was then my suspicions that the gunwales were far too thin for comfortable hiking was confirmed (yes ... numb arse). So I started thinking of how to do some inwale modifications with limited affect on the work I'd done last winter. After spending weeks varnishing I didn't want to take any more off than I had to!

  My first thoughts were to fit inwales the full length but this would mean removing the stern gusset (I'd fitted it never expecting to take it off again so it's well fixed!) so my next thought was fitting them so they were fatter mid-ships and taper out towards the bow and stern. This seemed a good idea until I priced the wood! I was looking at £150ish plus the cost of router bits etc. Then I came across some teak hand rails, you can get them from a single grab at about 200mm to a six grab at 1600mm and at £33 each a much better idea financially - http://www.kjhowells.com/3202A.

  They turned up a few days later. I wanted to still have a tapering effect so the maximum width is where I will sit most of the time, so I've cut them down at each end. I then rigged up a steamer from a gas fired BBQ, a camping kettle, some washing machine hose and a length of old waste pipe. After a little fitting and bending and bending and fitting this is what I got (see photo). I've bolted them through with stainless bolts and glued as well as supported the underside with a couple of strengtheners. The holes have been plugged with some oak plugs, then a good few coats of Deks Olje and here we are (photo 2). I think they look really good and can't wait to try them out. Not only good for hiking but great for lashing the tiller, fixing dry bags or fenders etc and you can even use them as grab rails!

  My next task now I've released the sails from the grips of the Christmas wrapping paper is to fit some reefing down hauls, topping lift and modify the gaff to allow the mainsail to be hoisted separately.

Can't wait to see the next set of modifications. As for me, I'm struggling just to find the time to stick the bailers back in to my boat!

Top picture, Inwales being fitted. 2nd picture, Teak inwales installed and varnished. 3rd picture, Homemade steamer. Bottom picture, Toe straps.

If you have made any mods to your Gull recently please let us know about it here at Gull towers.

Seven Waves Video

You can now view the new and improved version of the "Seven Waves" Gull video on YouTube by clicking on this link - http://youtu.be/4LBRWEeVz7A.

Have a very merry Christmas and we will see you on the water in 2012.

New Boat Cover

I don't know if it's just me but it seems that most things I buy these days are either the wrong size/colour, broken/faulty, lost in transit/late or just of inferior quality. On the very rare occasion when something is right I feel that it deserves a mention. I've now wrapped Aurora in her new overboom cover. The cover was made and delivered on time by the very helpful staff at Rain and Sun - http://www.rainandsun.co.uk/ .The cover is made from breathable 'Hydralite' which to me looks a lot stronger than polycotton. Hydralite covers are currently on offer and one for a Gull will cost only £111 (flat) and £119 (overboom). Remarkable value for money! So if you are looking for a new dinghy cover I would strongly recommend rain and sun.

What's in a name?

Herge, inventor of the world famous adventures of Tin Tin (and Snowy the dog), was once criticised by maritime experts. They said that the ship "Aurora", that features in The Shooting Star, would never sail let alone cope with the kind of seas that Tin Tin and his dipsomaniac chum Captain Haddock would have to endure to make it to the Arctic. Herge was unable to travel to the docks to draw ships during the second world war as his home country of Belgium was occupied by the Nazis and he would have almost certainly been accused of being a spy if found sketching at the coast. "Aurora" was drawn from his imagination and not based on any real Arctic exploration ship. The criticism of "Aurora" precipitated an obsession in Herge who went on to research every aspect of the technical elements in all his future comics. In Destination Moon/Explorers on the Moon Herge employed scientists to help research every detail of a manned trip to the moon. It was not until the real moon landings almost 20 years later that the world realised just how accurate Herge's predictions were.

 My Gull dinghy is named after the ship in The Shooting Star and like Captain Haddock's "Aurora" she certainly had her faults when she was new. In fact it took me over a year to have her problems ironed out. She's 8 years old now and has been repaired, beefed up in places and generally improved on. Like Herge, I enjoy researching the small details and I will continue to do so until my boat is perfect. Unlike Herge I won't be going on any moon adventures. Although I am hoping you will be joining me for some fine sailing in some new locations next year and I'm sure we will all be improving and perfecting our vessels in the meantime.

 Have a good Christmas and some excellent sailing in 2012.

Calculus, my new Lightning dinghy is named after the hard of hearing professor from the Tintin books. Don't worry it's only for racing!