I now know why Blackwater Sailing Club got club of the year 2014. I spoke to them about the possibility of having an open sail (not an official open meeting) . The club were really happy to discuss the idea and are very supportive of the project and have agreed to let us come and sail with the medium handicap fleet!
This will be a great opportunity for us to get a better idea of PY numbers (a questions frequently asked at the dinghy show). It will also allow us to see how quick the boats are against each other or how rusty or sailing has become during the winter!!!!!
Looking forward to it. all we need to do is confirm a date and we are GO GO GO!
Humm could be a GoPro moment!!!!! (that's a positive for an action camera!!!!)
All I can say is watch this space if you want more info on the 1st open meeting where we go round a course in salt water!
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
GoPro or not to GoPro!!!!
Humm what to do. Need to get some more footage of the boat so do I buy a camera for the boat or not?
the Go Pro seems the obvious answer and after watching loads of video's comparing camera's I just don't know.
god I hate decisions.
Do I get one and then I can use it for Skiing video's, coaching and personal sailing or will I get bored of watching the same angle and the same old stuff. Is it just a toy or a worthwhile investment?????????
answers on a postcard to .........
the Go Pro seems the obvious answer and after watching loads of video's comparing camera's I just don't know.
god I hate decisions.
Do I get one and then I can use it for Skiing video's, coaching and personal sailing or will I get bored of watching the same angle and the same old stuff. Is it just a toy or a worthwhile investment?????????
answers on a postcard to .........
UK Farr Professional build price released
for all of you out there who have busy jobs but you still want to go sailing and have been following the UK Farr developments of this Blog I can now say a price has been sorted for a boat ready to go. Butler boats have got a boat for everyone's pocket! the idea is for you to be able to choose what you want to fit your budget. you can go all shiny and black with carbon extras or just stay traditional with a metal stick if you need to stay within a budget.
Visit the website to find out more or contact Dave Butler through the butler boats website
http://www.butlerboats.biz/
Here is the advert to make you start thinking hum yes it is possible!!!
with not long now till the light changes and time to go sailing and get wet!
Visit the website to find out more or contact Dave Butler through the butler boats website
http://www.butlerboats.biz/
Here is the advert to make you start thinking hum yes it is possible!!!
with not long now till the light changes and time to go sailing and get wet!
Thursday, 27 February 2014
Dinghy Show 2014
So been a while since I last put anything on the Blog as its been winter and apart from stripping the cruiser out and coaching sailing I have not had time for any sailing.
So as the season approaches its must be time for the Dinghy show and this year the Farr will be there again (after missing out in 2013) on the Butler Boat stand.
It is quite a moment as this will be the 1st UK professionally built Farr in the UK. All the pictures I have seen look great and I can't wait to see the boat up front and personal.
So if your bored and have nothing planned on Saturday how about a trip to see Daryl (the UK Farr Father), Dave Barker (the UK's 1st home builder) Ben (soon to be a UK Farr owner and me at the show.
Due to getting a new job and having a mad 1st week in my new role I can only do the Saturday but I know that many of the others will be there on Both days.
Hope to see you there
So as the season approaches its must be time for the Dinghy show and this year the Farr will be there again (after missing out in 2013) on the Butler Boat stand.
It is quite a moment as this will be the 1st UK professionally built Farr in the UK. All the pictures I have seen look great and I can't wait to see the boat up front and personal.
So if your bored and have nothing planned on Saturday how about a trip to see Daryl (the UK Farr Father), Dave Barker (the UK's 1st home builder) Ben (soon to be a UK Farr owner and me at the show.
Due to getting a new job and having a mad 1st week in my new role I can only do the Saturday but I know that many of the others will be there on Both days.
Hope to see you there
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
UK Farr Development continues
Well Dave is good to his word again. he promised to get onto "Project Farr" after recovery from an injury and my god he has been busy. The 1st UK Farr is out the mould and is very light indeed 28kg! I know that there is still the floor and foredeck to add + paint and varnish but the boat I think the will then still come in under weight.
If you want to check out the progress please have a look at the link below and you can also get involved with the UK Farr association forum on what colour the 1st boat should be. personally in true cherub style I would go with Gun metal grey for the outside and floor and Lambo green for the side tanks and foredeck! If anyone has seen my rebuild of the Italian Bistro Cherub "Monkey Magic" you will know that bright in my book is always best!
I have included a few snaps of the old beast for those interested.
Man looking back what a sexy looking boat. A little bit like the RS900 but as I built mine before there one I can say it was all my own doing!
Anyway getting back to the Farr here are the links to Y&Y site where the thread is
http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11267&PID=1357451#1357451
UK site thread
http://www.uk3-7class.org/forum.html#/20131217/what-colour-for-butler-boats-demo-boat-3491389/
Get involved and your colour scheme might be the one Dave chooses!!!
If you want to check out the progress please have a look at the link below and you can also get involved with the UK Farr association forum on what colour the 1st boat should be. personally in true cherub style I would go with Gun metal grey for the outside and floor and Lambo green for the side tanks and foredeck! If anyone has seen my rebuild of the Italian Bistro Cherub "Monkey Magic" you will know that bright in my book is always best!
I have included a few snaps of the old beast for those interested.
Man looking back what a sexy looking boat. A little bit like the RS900 but as I built mine before there one I can say it was all my own doing!
Anyway getting back to the Farr here are the links to Y&Y site where the thread is
http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11267&PID=1357451#1357451
UK site thread
http://www.uk3-7class.org/forum.html#/20131217/what-colour-for-butler-boats-demo-boat-3491389/
Get involved and your colour scheme might be the one Dave chooses!!!
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
Butler Boats are getting their teeth into the Farr!!!
Evening all.
sorry for lack of activity something called a "Job" keeps getting in the way!!!!
Just a quick update. Butler has his teeth well and truly sunk into the Farr.
http://www.butlerboats.biz/
check it out. The 1st one is in the mould!!!
I know there must be a couple of people who have looked at the plans and will look at this and say it does not look like the plans. True but you must remember
1) This is "work in progress"
2) Dave is not building them to the plans more a mould which apparently is a modern way of doing things!
Anyway I am very excited that it is coming together finally!!
Other exciting news ADM sails have finished my sail!!!! Unfortunately due to the "job" thing I have had not had time to stop in and get it. Thankfully I know Andy well so he knows I'm good for the money!!!!!
We are also in the process of getting a class association together! So the class can grow and become great!!!!
I know there is a bit of noise regarding the class. If you are thinking about getting one or want to find out more drop me a line and I will give you more info.
Bye for now!!!!!
sorry for lack of activity something called a "Job" keeps getting in the way!!!!
Just a quick update. Butler has his teeth well and truly sunk into the Farr.
http://www.butlerboats.biz/
check it out. The 1st one is in the mould!!!
I know there must be a couple of people who have looked at the plans and will look at this and say it does not look like the plans. True but you must remember
1) This is "work in progress"
2) Dave is not building them to the plans more a mould which apparently is a modern way of doing things!
Anyway I am very excited that it is coming together finally!!
Other exciting news ADM sails have finished my sail!!!! Unfortunately due to the "job" thing I have had not had time to stop in and get it. Thankfully I know Andy well so he knows I'm good for the money!!!!!
We are also in the process of getting a class association together! So the class can grow and become great!!!!
I know there is a bit of noise regarding the class. If you are thinking about getting one or want to find out more drop me a line and I will give you more info.
Bye for now!!!!!
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Farr 1st meeting 16th Nov 2013
Well finally it happened we all got or lives sorted out and arranged a meet. Venue: Hull, yes Hull! I didn't really know what to expect as Ben Brown and myself got in the T5 to drive up on Friday night, loaded with sailing kit for artic conditions and a few tins to relax with when we finally got there (I think this was so Ben could get off to sleep quicker and not listen to the Z's kicking out from me!!!).
The reason for the meet was two fold
1) Get everyone together to talk all things Farr, this included myself (Ex cherub crew and owner of Monkey Magic and Subtle knife), ben brown (ex Cherub helm, Owner of Loco Perro ,helm of subtle Knife and fellow Essex boy, Dave Baker (the other Farr owner in the UK and RS300 sailor), Daryl the Farr Farther (original importer of the boat and ex cherub crew of Loco) and Dave Butler of "Butler Boats" who is based in Hull.
2) To finally get the two boats out on the same bit of water!
The journey up was actually OK. it has been a while since I have seen Ben what with family and the fact although we work about a stones throw from each other work has seemed to get in the way as it always does. HTC Navigation got us there in just under 4 hours, which I didn't think was bad considering we were towing and traffic was slow for a period of the journey! We found "The Boat shed" Dave's workshop with ease and I must say what a cool place to work. It is I think, an old grain mill and Dave has been busy knocking through to make the workshop as big as it can be (it is surprising how many boats and moulds a place can hold if you are cleaver with your storage space!)
A few beers down in the van and suddenly it was about 1am!!!! Not bad for Friday night as I normally don't see it past 12!
Saturday morning and we were up early at 8:30 and met Dave's workman (there is only the two of them there but talking to them they don't hang around and seem to have a very well organised system which means they can meet orders and get a hull built in about two weeks! Dave Barker and Daryl arrived while Ben and I were out foraging for food (a full fry up at only £4.95, Sweet!!!).
We then spent the best part of the next hour and a half talking all things Farr which included the following:
1) Kite or no kite
2) Control line set up
3) Gantry or no gantry
4) Hull make up (wood, GRP, GRP hull, Wood cockpit etc.)
When we went off for a sail at the local lake (not the biggest place to sail and with a disappointing 8-9mph it was not going to be the place were we were going to get footage of the boat at its best but all that said and done we all managed to get out on the wire and at times the boats even got a wriggle on! Footage taken and boat swapping done we then headed in for a chat about the two boats. Dave's boat has a slightly different set up from mine which includes rear horse and off the boom mainsheet apposed to my centre mainsheet arrangement and the fact he has a gantry and much stiffer mast and a heaver sail cloth ment the boats did sail very differently but as the footage we took will show you the boats were still similar speeds.
Dave butler was very eager to hear from Dave, Ben and I about our sails and we gave him a number of things to think about as regards to the way forward. Although no firm plans have been set by Butler I am sure that the boat will end up with everything in place to hold a pole and kite which a sailor can then add to the boat once they have mastered the art of sailing the boat. This will give another dimension to the boat and one I feel will slow the movement out of the boat onto faster single handed craft like the Musto Skiff or RS700. I have sailed the boat in about 20-25knts and let just say it bites if your not careful! Although the boat will probably come ready to upgrade there are no plans in the first year or two of the boat being produced professionally here in the UK to race with a kite. I personally think this is a great idea as it gives people time to get the most out of the boat before wanting more and going all out! This will also mean it appeals to a wider audience, not a bad thing when bringing a new class into the UK sailing scene! it would then be up to the association (made up of those who buy the boat to decide the development of the class). As a trainer of cadets I see this boat having a great future within the cadet section. It has everything a young sailor needs to develop.
Saying all this the boat is not just suited to the young. I sail one and I am by no means young and I can see some dad's out there who would want to sail it!
Dave plans to see the boat in a variety of stages from all done and ready to go to what ever the buyer wants. Bare hull only, Hull and spars but not set up. This then allows the people who has always wanted to build a boat but has not got the time for the whole project to still get his or her hand sticky!!!!
Anyway enough of me and my thoughts (oh and by the way this blog is my on option and I have not completed any true market research apart from asking older cadets what type of sailing they want to do and having the question asked to me by more than a few parents "which boat should I buy next?").
Here is a short video of the sailing so you can get a feel for the UK Farr 3.7. If you then want to see it in big winds have a look a the NZ footage which is all over Youtube with and without kites. you can then make up your own mind!
The reason for the meet was two fold
1) Get everyone together to talk all things Farr, this included myself (Ex cherub crew and owner of Monkey Magic and Subtle knife), ben brown (ex Cherub helm, Owner of Loco Perro ,helm of subtle Knife and fellow Essex boy, Dave Baker (the other Farr owner in the UK and RS300 sailor), Daryl the Farr Farther (original importer of the boat and ex cherub crew of Loco) and Dave Butler of "Butler Boats" who is based in Hull.
2) To finally get the two boats out on the same bit of water!
The journey up was actually OK. it has been a while since I have seen Ben what with family and the fact although we work about a stones throw from each other work has seemed to get in the way as it always does. HTC Navigation got us there in just under 4 hours, which I didn't think was bad considering we were towing and traffic was slow for a period of the journey! We found "The Boat shed" Dave's workshop with ease and I must say what a cool place to work. It is I think, an old grain mill and Dave has been busy knocking through to make the workshop as big as it can be (it is surprising how many boats and moulds a place can hold if you are cleaver with your storage space!)
A few beers down in the van and suddenly it was about 1am!!!! Not bad for Friday night as I normally don't see it past 12!
Saturday morning and we were up early at 8:30 and met Dave's workman (there is only the two of them there but talking to them they don't hang around and seem to have a very well organised system which means they can meet orders and get a hull built in about two weeks! Dave Barker and Daryl arrived while Ben and I were out foraging for food (a full fry up at only £4.95, Sweet!!!).
We then spent the best part of the next hour and a half talking all things Farr which included the following:
1) Kite or no kite
2) Control line set up
3) Gantry or no gantry
4) Hull make up (wood, GRP, GRP hull, Wood cockpit etc.)
When we went off for a sail at the local lake (not the biggest place to sail and with a disappointing 8-9mph it was not going to be the place were we were going to get footage of the boat at its best but all that said and done we all managed to get out on the wire and at times the boats even got a wriggle on! Footage taken and boat swapping done we then headed in for a chat about the two boats. Dave's boat has a slightly different set up from mine which includes rear horse and off the boom mainsheet apposed to my centre mainsheet arrangement and the fact he has a gantry and much stiffer mast and a heaver sail cloth ment the boats did sail very differently but as the footage we took will show you the boats were still similar speeds.
Dave butler was very eager to hear from Dave, Ben and I about our sails and we gave him a number of things to think about as regards to the way forward. Although no firm plans have been set by Butler I am sure that the boat will end up with everything in place to hold a pole and kite which a sailor can then add to the boat once they have mastered the art of sailing the boat. This will give another dimension to the boat and one I feel will slow the movement out of the boat onto faster single handed craft like the Musto Skiff or RS700. I have sailed the boat in about 20-25knts and let just say it bites if your not careful! Although the boat will probably come ready to upgrade there are no plans in the first year or two of the boat being produced professionally here in the UK to race with a kite. I personally think this is a great idea as it gives people time to get the most out of the boat before wanting more and going all out! This will also mean it appeals to a wider audience, not a bad thing when bringing a new class into the UK sailing scene! it would then be up to the association (made up of those who buy the boat to decide the development of the class). As a trainer of cadets I see this boat having a great future within the cadet section. It has everything a young sailor needs to develop.
- It's is light and easy to manage on the shore.
- A sail plan that is not too extreme but has grunt due to the fully battened main and light spars.
- An easy and quick set up time and with the opportunity to develop skills with a small asymmetric which will improve the performance of the boat but be small enough to make it good round the cans in club racing. (In a breeze it can be a bit of an animal but still one which can be tamed and it is very reliant on consistent balance, trim and sail setting to get the best speed. the biggest bonus it does not travel at warp speed so time can be had making the right tactical decisions on the race course!)
Saying all this the boat is not just suited to the young. I sail one and I am by no means young and I can see some dad's out there who would want to sail it!
Dave plans to see the boat in a variety of stages from all done and ready to go to what ever the buyer wants. Bare hull only, Hull and spars but not set up. This then allows the people who has always wanted to build a boat but has not got the time for the whole project to still get his or her hand sticky!!!!
Anyway enough of me and my thoughts (oh and by the way this blog is my on option and I have not completed any true market research apart from asking older cadets what type of sailing they want to do and having the question asked to me by more than a few parents "which boat should I buy next?").
Here is a short video of the sailing so you can get a feel for the UK Farr 3.7. If you then want to see it in big winds have a look a the NZ footage which is all over Youtube with and without kites. you can then make up your own mind!
Full video can be found at
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