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#1 2011-06-08 11:25:47
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Other Victoria, Frances & Morris Yacht Sightings
Please use this thread to let us know about any reports and sightings of other Victoria, Frances & Morris yachts that the Association may currently be unaware of...
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#2 2011-10-03 14:22:43
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Re: Other Victoria, Frances & Morris Yacht Sightings
RUBADUBDUB
Peter Paget left a message on our Open Forum in November 2007:
... "Perhaps I ought to join your association, but up here on Isle of Skye, we tend to be not very 'clubby'. So I hope I will be able just to continue to watch the site from afar.
In addition to our "Rubadubdub", we have another F26 - "Francie" - same age (1985) and it was seeing her here at Stein, dancing at her mooring in Loch Bay in a strong wind that persuaded us that she was the right craft for us. They really are magnificent sea boats. I have yet to take a green one." ...
This was taken a couple of years ago by my old friend, Bill Cowie, the factor of Rona Island just north of Raasay.
Peter subsequently sent us a further email:
... "I 'attach' an account of my Harport to Armadale leg taken from my now written up log.
It is headed "Red Letter" because I had been trying to get her round to Strollamus (northwest of Broadford) since 17 Oct. Southerly gales 18-27th Oct caused by High to east and Low over Atlantic. Then a necessary week at home. Followed by another 7 days at Harport which included Force 11 roaring up the loch and engine problems - air getting in at, I think, top of the fuel filter where the bleed screw had stripped - the filter has had to be changed completely.
So, you can see, I was delighted to take the bit of a risk when the opportunity arose.
Note: All times are GMT : I write in first person which is supposed to give it more immediacy : and although I refer to 'we' - I am usually solo except when Sara is with me (us!). What an odd relationship we have with our boats." ...
Saturday 10 November - Red Letter Day!!
The 0710 forecast is NW 5-7, occ 8 then diminishing. The Caledonia forecast is one grad less so 8 is unlikely. But my initial reaction is to stay put or, if it moderates before noon, go for Rum. I then spend time stowing gear and put in 2 reefs. If we go it will be a bumpy ride. By 0900 the wind has dropped. It is worth a go!
0945 We slip and motor-sail out against the wind to the headland . We make it in two tacks. When we get out to the open sea it increases, but the wind is moderate. I had not realised that Talisker Bay is so recessed - it does not look that way from the shore. And, at about 1045 when I have decided to give it a go, I call up Stornoway and give them our ETA Rum 1600. I also tell them that the wind is moderate W 5, with moderate sea with ‘occasional milestones’.
But no sooner said than it gets up to a good Force 7 on the starboard quarter and we are screaming along at 6-7 knots - top speed 7.3 knots. Good job I put those reefs in, and the pocket-handkerchief genoa has only enough out to help balance. Tolerable spray and only one wet one over the lee side. On the windward side the boiling sea rises to within 6 inches or so of the toe rail - but does not come over. “Rubadubdub” rises beautifully to the breakers on the quarter as they rush down the side. This is terrific, but bloody hard work. I subsist on chocolate sesamé bars and water. Peeing is a problem!! And, like the sea, its wet. Later in a brief lull I slowly ease the main to spill the wind - “Rubadubdub” slows down and, with the foresail drawing a little, it is safe to go below for a brief ‘comfort stop’. It is less effort than heaving to.
Soay, under the shadow of the Cuillin Ridge and where Gavin Maxwell and Tex Geddes had their Basking Shark base, looks inviting- but I had failed to checkthe tides - mea culpa. On we go. Skye becomes faint: Canna is abeam and, ahead, the north east point of Rum becomes clear. Briefly the Cuillins of Rum show themselves. Oddly, the clouds over them seem to be moving the wrong way! As we round the headland towards Loch Scresort there is a brief lee and lull but, looking into the anchorage, it is clear that it untenable. There are white breakers along the shore. This is caused by wind rushing down the west-facing glen then onto the water close inshore. I call up Stornoway, tell them where we are, and give a revised ETA Armadale 1630.
So, rather reluctantly, we pass the yellow remains of the base of the cardinal buoy on the south side of the loch now marked by a few orange floats, and onwards and eastwards to Point of Sleat 8 miles ahead. This time the wind is very fine on the port quarter so 110% concentration is required. I stow the genoa for the time being. It helps being able to see the point and, once round it, there is some respite: but then, inevitably, the wind follows us round. It is only when we have cleared the rocks off Armadale Bay and begin making for the anchorage that calm begins to reign. Engine and navigation lights on - sails down - and we pick up one of the visitors’ buoys and, by 1645 we are all secure.
We have travelled 37 miles in 7 hours (including stops) = average 5.3 knots.
What a ride - what a day!! Then I was able to ‘text’ Sara - “Fantastic” she replies. Time for Desert Island Discs and a good meal - Pot Mess with lots of Sharwoods - not to mention a dram.
... "As you can see Skye is not all hurricanes - tho' we did record 140 mph in Jan 2005!!!
"Rubadubdub" is on the left and sistership "Francie" (also 1985) in the middle.
The islands behind are Isay and Mingay which provide Lochbay with some shelter. The distant hill is Mt Eaval by favourite Loch Eport on North Uist." ...
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#3 2011-10-03 14:25:23
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Re: Other Victoria, Frances & Morris Yacht Sightings
DARK ISLAND
This Victoria 30 was spotted by Jerry Bottrill, who supplied the photograph and information (May 2008).
An early Victoria 30 at Ardfern in Scotland. This one was, if you remember, on the front cover of Practical Boat Owner many years ago.
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#4 2011-10-03 14:27:37
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Re: Other Victoria, Frances & Morris Yacht Sightings
BLUE ILEX and DUANACH II
E-mail with photograph received from Philip Kempster on the 9th March 2009:
Here is photo of the Adfern Moorings, Loch Craignish showing 2 Victoria/Frances 26 (I think). One is called Blue Ilex and the other Duanach II, but I don't now know which is which. Probably the darker hull is Blue Ilex.
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#5 2011-10-03 14:28:46
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Re: Other Victoria, Frances & Morris Yacht Sightings
GALLIVANT
'Gallivant' is a sloop-rigged Victoria 30 that was spotted by David Cunnion in Loch Dochfour, just to the north of Loch Ness.
David took this photograph of her on the 27th April 2009.
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#6 2011-10-03 14:36:05
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Re: Other Victoria, Frances & Morris Yacht Sightings
ERICA
Peter Cosker spotted ERICA in June 2009:
Whilst sailing 'Jenter' in Southampton, we were slowly overhauled by another cutter-rigged Frances 26 with goose-winged sails. These photographs were taken on the 3rd June 2009 at about 11:00.
The mystery boat turned out to be 'Erica', owned and crewed by Pat and Dave, who moor 'Erica' at the RAF Club in the River Hamble and live at Netley Abbey on the edge of Southampton Water.
I understand that 'Erica' has been entered in the Round The Island Race that takes place on the 20th June this year. We wish them every success.
Postscript - 'Erica' did indeed take part in the Round The Island Race and has won the Victoria Cup. Here is what David Le Mare had to say,
"We had a really good race. Although we were in the last group to start, we caught up with the fleet off Ryde when the tide & wind was against. We sailed across to stokes bay and tacked against the weaker tide to Lea on the Solent then back across the Solent at slack water. At this point we gained from a wind veer and sailed almost straight to the finish giving us a 49th in the ISC division."
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#7 2011-10-03 14:39:52
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Re: Other Victoria, Frances & Morris Yacht Sightings
JUST SO
Philip Webb contacted the Association in June 2009, prior to selling JUST SO, his Victoria 34:
"My wife and I have owned 'Just So' for 11 years and she was based for much of this time at Largs. She was previously owned by a Director of Victoria Marine at Warsash. We have decided to downsize and are presently rebuilding a 1979 Vancouver 27. Since an Atlantic crossing, around 1991, 'Just So' has had a very gentle life with no racing or chartering. She is therefore in pretty good order which will improve further with a little sunshine and another coat of polish."
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#8 2011-11-15 21:03:29
- Ian_Johnston
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Re: Other Victoria, Frances & Morris Yacht Sightings
AMY
There's a V26 or V800 cutter called "Amy" moored in Rothesay Bay, just off the Isle of Bute Sailing Club. I wonder if she's the one listed as "last seen in Falmouth in 2009"?
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#9 2011-12-24 11:44:11
- Leon_Ferguson
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Re: Other Victoria, Frances & Morris Yacht Sightings
Re: AMY
Ian, I have chatted to the owner of Amy on-line. She may soon be coming up for sale. She was owned by John Rushworth, who spent a lot of time and money on her when she was on the South Coast before sailing her to Scotland.
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#10 2012-11-02 13:34:49
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Re: Other Victoria, Frances & Morris Yacht Sightings
Victoria 34s owned by Joint Services
Rob Kingstone has kindly emailed the following:
I have a list of 15 Victoria 34's that are owned by the MOD and based at the joint services adventure sail training centre in Gosport Hampshire.
They are HMSTV's:
Amoria
Callista
Dosinia
Ensis II
Fimbria
Janthina
Lambis
Mitra
Placuna
Victoria
Syrinx
Trochus
Nerita
Voluta
Zidona
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