Dear Joan,

First may I say “Thank you” for the many enjoyable, readable editions of the DCA Bulletin?

The bulletin is my only contact with the DCA. Although I am an active dinghy sailor on an inland reservoir, I am a sleeping member of the DCA. It is a testimony to the charm of the Bulletin that I feel part of the DCA through receiving and reading it.

So I am a bit taken back by Len Wingfield’s clinical dismemberment of, as he says,” our beloved Bulletin cover”. Should, it not be viewed as a charming caricature, an easily recognisable and appropriate caricature? Accuracy is therefore irrelevant.

“Shallop she undoubtedly is; but unshapely?? A photograph of a similar craft (Joy) on the front page of “Watercraft Magazine” led a number of that magazine’s readers to ask for more information about her. According to the article “she (Joy) behaves well when sailing in a short steep sea when other boats are having difficulty-and this despite no centre board. She is nimble, responsive and easily driven.” An idea DCA member’s craft surely? Or maybe I should set up a splinter group - the “Curmudgeonly Shallop-Sailors Association, as I am so attached to sailing such a craft in shallow sheltered waters! (And that title fits me and my favourite pursuits more accurately!!) Other than being surprised by Len Wingfield’s attack on our logo I am ' on the fence' over this one; ignorant as I am of the cost, the difficulties and the effect on our membership of changing the cover of the Bulletin.

Watercraft magazine carries many reports and lovely photos of small open sailing boats. Mostly they are new, therefore expensive, and available only as home builds. (Cheap restorations are more my style)

Len would like to see the Bulletin carry more detailed objective descriptions of dinghy classes suitable for use within our Association. Perhaps we could start by printing the article about “Joy”?* Duncan Gilchrist *See article - Ed.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Joan,

I have always thought the cover a wonderful form of art. Just a few strokes of the pen to illustrate dinghy cruising. The boat in question has a jaunty look about it, more than some of the present Tupperware boats seen today with almost straight sheer lines. The burgee staff end button, big enough to act as masthead buoyancy, is perhaps a good idea for the member who is always concerned about a capsize.

The lettering is both bold and clear for those like myself, without having to look for the elusive spectacles.

Finally, as a comment regarding all the correspondence on safety, whilst an important subject to discuss, may I suggest an answer in Arthur Ransome’s book Swallows and Amazons:-

Better drowned than Duffers If not Duffers won’t drown

Peter Glover

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Joan,

I don't agree with Len Wingfield about our cover design. I like the generalised dinghy and I like the homely figure at the helm who is looking back at where he/she has been rather than grimly peering forward. The design speaks of relaxation which is what most people need in these frantic days of 'winning and getting'. Gerald Levenson