Classic_Boat_2016-05

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LETTER OF THE MONTH SUPPORTED
BY OLD PULTENEY WHISKY

JESSIE ROBERTS-SMITH

BRENDAN ROCHE

MARTIN NOTT

Letters


Huff at Weaver


Gauntlet thrown down


Rozinante criticism


Your article of Huff of Arklow says that Chris Allan, a previous
owner of Huff, restored her near to his home in
Southampton. Speaking as someone who saw Huff arrive at
a yard in her burnt-out state, I know that the yard was
actually more than 200 miles north, in Northwich, Cheshire.
This was near to Chris’ home in Crewe. The yard in question
was the Weaver Shipyard. It was in one of its sheds that Huff
was rebuilt, primarily by Chris, but his wife also came down
to give him some much-needed encouragement and
support. Seeing the article brought back happy memories of
the time I worked for Marine Secol, at the Weaver Shipyard.
Brendan Roche, Liverpool

It is some unpleasant irony that just as you publish the exciting news
of a new XOD in build at Nick Whittle’s yard on the Isle of Wight (March
issue), there comes the horrible news that five historic XODs have been
lost in the Cowes fire. The fire was, as others have said, the biggest single
loss of classic craft in living memory. However, perhaps there is some
crumb of comfort to be taken from the general reaction of observers,
which was one of apparently genuine dismay. Yes, people were
commiserating with owners who had put years and varying sums of
money into these boats, but they also appeared to appreciate the boats
for the historic artefacts that they were. Sometimes it takes a disaster to
shine a light on things. It’s heartening, amid the sadness at the loss of the
XODs and the other classics that were incinerated, that old wooden
boats are truly considered an important part of our heritage.
Pascal Hughes, via email
See our feature on Witch, one of the boats lost, on page 38

From the ashes


Further to the interesting article in last year’s September
edition, I wish to mention that all the Gauntlet designs
should be credited to Rodney Paul, the Berthon Boat
Company in-house naval architect from 1932 to 1939. The 12
tonne Gauntlet was the result of a potential client enquiry.
The request was for a comfortable cruising boat having a
good performance. As detailed in my article published way
back in 1992 an order was subsequently placed using an
alternative design with another boatyard.
The disgruntled MD of Berthon, HG May, having been
impressed by his naval architect’s interpretation of
requirements, decided to build the boat for himself. After its
launch a challenge to a race was issued to his erstwhile
client. The event took place in the English Channel in
boisterous conditions, May’s boat trouncing his opponent’s.
May had successfully thrown down “the Gauntlet” and in
doing so led to the successful introduction of a new class
varying in size from 8 to 26 tonnes.
Jim Hazel, Southampton

I believe David Cranwell’s letter “Sensationalist
and pointless” in the April issue struck a
discordant note. We all reserve the right to
criticise views expressed in the press, but we
shouldn’t damn differing views out of hand.
I find Theo Rye’s views perfectly acceptable.
He is after all one of our most intelligent and thoughtful designers and his
questioning of certain views expressed by the yachting press should be read
as such; he is not making sweeping statements, just expressing considered
views on specific items based on his considerable knowledge of yacht
design, in particular of the Herreshoffs. Anybody who knows Theo will think
your accusation of him being sensationalist is frankly laughable.
Do you believe that famous designers don’t make mistakes? That is
simplistic; both the Herreshoffs tried out many versions of their designs and
only by trial (and error), did they come up with such beautiful boats. I have
had some experience in Herreshoff builds and while I marvel at their designs,
I was astonished at some options shown in the plans. If you build a
Herreshoff from original plans (all meticulously held at the Hart Nautical
Foundation), you will occasionally find build variations or options that just
didn’t work. I believe that Captain Nat Herreshoff was truly a lateral thinker.
Francis was the more considered designer. Both had the ability to create
beautiful yachts. They both tried variations – and it is perfectly valid for such
matters to be questioned.
Rees Martin, London

The 8 tonne Guantlet Bardu
Free download pdf