Practical Boat Owner — November 2017

sounder, an electric autopilot and a
new set of sails.
I have also designed and almost
perfected a servo pendulum self-steering
wind vane. They look simple enough but
in reality are very complex instruments in
the proportions of weight and engineering
required. Mine has taken over three years
in the development. On a trip from Hurst
to Swanage, I set it up and we sailed
within five degrees of our course straight
to our waypoint. I was delighted, but I
hasten to add that I’ve not yet gone to
sleep while being steered by the wind
vane, not even for a short time!

Rollercoaster rides
On one of our trips, we were on the way to
Weymouth. Just off the Shambles and on
our final tack in, the wind dropped. The
engine was labouring and we had no
alternative but to anchor close to the
south entrance of Portland Harbour where
the old Hood was sunk as a blockship –
it’s a really good fishing spot. It was no
time before our friends the Royal Navy
turned up to check on us as we were
anchored in their waters.
While inspecting the engine I found that
the gearbox was full of sand – no wonder
the engine was labouring – so on our
return to home port it was gearbox out,
clean up and replace four bearings.
Shocked at the £156 one marine supplier

quoted for bearings I went to a VW parts

shop where I got the same bearings for

£4.80 each. A big saving!

We took another trip back from

Weymouth in a south-westerly Force 7

(some will be saying the b....y fools!), but

we found it to be a real learning curve. Not

only do you gain vital knowledge, but you

can assess the boat’s performance and

your ability – and later make any

reinforcements or changes to either!

While rounding St Aldhelm’s Head we

encountered waves higher than the

crosstrees. Elissa was in a calm at the

bottom of the trough and at the full

Force 7 at the top. I already had a reefed

main but even so she performed very well.

A very interesting sail!

Bright ideas

One night while moored at Chapman’s

Pool I was contemplating the fact that

there was a good deal of wasted space

under the side decks, so I started to

design a way of utilising this space.

On the port side I made a control panel

and full size chart table which can double

up as a dining table when bolted to the

stairway. On the starboard side, I built five

lockers for storing the usual things one

needs on any boat. A whole design

change to our lovely little boat.

Modernisation

On the rigging side I replaced old Tufnol

blocks with modern stainless steel ones,

and slab reefing took the place of the old

roller reefing system. I then made my own

stackpack for £35, after receiving a quote

at the Southampton Boat Show for £375.

The frayed wire keel uphaul was

replaced with Dyneema braid rope and

has been there for over 12 years now.

I can highly recommend the Elizabethan

23 for its looks, sailing ability, draught and

vast locker space for a small boat.

We have enjoyed many years of sailing

around the South Coast – one year doing

970NM. We’re able to get very close to the

shoreline out of the wind, which is a big

advantage as we often see fellow sailors

not far away wearing winter clothing while

we’re still in T-shirts.

The Elizabethan Owners Association has

a very informative website (eoa.org.uk)

and membership is great fun with an

annual weekend get together in some

South Coast port. We also try to meet up

on land during the winter to exchange

ideas and offer help and advice.

Above Sitting pretty:

Elissa on a mooring

at Swanage

Right Looking good

in a new coat of

paint on her cradle

at Lilliput

Chart table doubles as a dining table
when attached to companionway steps

Alastair built his own control panel in

previously empty under-deck space

bOATS