Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:25:24 +0000, IanM
wrote:
I was providing safety boat cover for my dinghy club in a brisk breeze
and near freezing conditions. We were lucky with the weather as there
was enough wind for a reasonably competitive race but not enough to
cause any incidents. Also it stayed fine. Where, well this was on the
River Thames in London, England.

Haven't done any fishing since I was out in South Africa about 20 years
back and that was hand lining from a rowboat. My dad was the keen
fisherman. If he was still with us, he'd have a tale or two to tell.
There was one time he was out for the night with the minister, the local
police officer, the school teacher, the councillor and the publican in
two boats in the river mouth illegally netting the salmon run. (The
absentee landlord was none too popular with the local community.) I'd
better not say where, but if I said Oban was the nearest port of any
size, I'd not be lying.

Had to google Oban up, and what I saw in West Scotland looks real
pretty. Did you happen to see a flick called "Local Hero?"

Had to google that. I caught about 3/4 of it on late night TV a few
years back. Now I know what it was called :-)

Seems like a similar location.

.... to a visitor. Mind you, when I was a kid, in most west coast
villages, you were a visitor unless all 8 great-grand parents were born
within a few hours walk. Mine had got out to Glasgow and the next
generation to London so we were visitors :-)

Looks like you travel a bit. Of course I'm just assuming that's the
Oban you mentioned.

I doubt there are many others in traditional salmon fishing areas.
Don't travel so much nowdays. Won't fly long haul and not so fond of
coaches. A good few years back I'd drive up to Hopetoun House,
Edinburgh once a year for a Saturday night dance. About 500 miles each
way as I had some friends to pick up the other side of the country.

No question about SA or London.
Haven't done much traveling myself since I settled down here in N.
Illinois when I was 26. Only foreign jaunt since was to a stripper
bar in Canada some years ago. (-:
What kind of safety boat do you drive for your dinghy club?
Only a small trihull. We've got a couple of inflatables as well, but
the dory is more comfortable and faster.
You do much sailing?
Some :-) Couple of thou NM weekending this year and few afternoons
dinghy racing as well.
I'm thinking of getting a 26' when(if) I move to Florida, else a 24"
skiff. The sailboat would probably be a Mac 26x/m, much scorned
in sailing circles. Not sure yet, but the scorn factor won't be in
play. After all, I'm always driving Chevys.
They aren't so bad as a fair weather lake boat,lots of room, light
enough to trail easily and the speed can be handy if you gotta make port
before the weather breaks, but you'll find the Mac 26es limiting if you
get serious. Lot of potential problems, and when you've checked/fixed
the worst of them you'll be rather poorer but the boat wont be worth a
lot more . . .
OTOH better a boat you can sail regularly than a marina queen eating up
your entire boat budget in berth fees.

We have a Contessa 26 in a marina. Saves a little bit on the insurance
and a lot on lost/drowned gear getting stuff to the boat compared to a
swinging mooring. We figure we're not *that* far off even by the time
you figure in the convenience of having power for maintenance etc. Was
down the boat the day before and watched the marina staff bring in a
drifter. Small motor cruiser had broken loose on the river complete with
its mooring buoy. Looked like the sort with the bar through and a ring
top and bottom. The bottom ring was missing completely. Check your
moorings folks!