Joan Abrams

I have been dusting off the boat - and a little light sponging. What a contrast to the old days, when I gathered together paint tins, varnish, brushes, turpentine, sandpaper, scrapers, marine putty - not to mention overalls - and, when there was no more fear of frost, spent a week or so on the annual ceremony of fitting out. In my case this used to be followed by the great day when the yard tractor pulled us into the water towards (but before) high tide, so that we could tow the heavy 18-footer rowing the dinghy up to the mooring. There we scrambled on board to wield buckets and pump throughout the rest of the tide as she “took up”. After that the water stayed mostly in the bilge.

Wooden boats are much nicer than plastic - but I do not really regret the old days as I prepare so effortlessly for the season, nor as I walk about the dry boat in my socks when I get out of bed.

I have been asked for more articles about types of boat. In this issue we have members’ experiences of the Mirror and the West Wight Potter, as a light and a heavy boat. More to follow, I hope.