Many thanks to those who have responded to the appeal for articles. There is now a stock in hand, not that this means that additions to it will be any less welcome. It begins to be possible to plan ahead for future issues.

This Bulletin concentrates largely on lightweight dinghies used more often for racing than for cruising. Those who have successfully lived aboard these boats could well add helpful information, which we shall be very glad to print to help members who are trying to work out the best way.

Another problem is brought to our attention by Harry Hough, in his search for a launching site armed (as so often we are) with Getting Afloat. This useful publication is neither comprehensive nor entirely reliable. One service members can perform for each other is to pass on information about such sites as they have visited recently, like Harry Hough, and in spite of information about Loch Melfort, I found no place which looked possible between Arduaine and Oban. Arduaine was quite possible, though not a smooth ramp. Further south on Loch Sween, Tayvallich has quite a usable ramp, though a bit rough in the stonework. Going north, I was relieved after a 400 mile journey to find that the ramp at Balmacara on Loch Alshe is a good one. The one at Loch Sligachan, on the other hand, in Skye, is non-existent. I could see no way of launching from trailer or trolley on this Loch. Bwedford has a broad ramp. Plockton (Loch Carron) has a hard beach with ramp access, but the ramp mentioned at Cooper Street is twisting and awkward.

Between us we must have a pretty comprehensive account of the facilities for cruising dinghies round most of the British Isles. We might try compiling it!

N.B. Diagrams are welcome, and are easiest to reproduce if sent on tracing paper.

Joan Abrams