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Idle Duck sailing after the rig was upgraded with a big roller reefing |
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Bob Telford has just joined us, May 2006, with 'Idle Duck'. Pictured above. this pic was taken a few years back we surmise.... We have been sent a bunch of pics which will be placed on this page ASAP. Bob is refitting her and will keep us up to date with her progress... John
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'Idle Duck' An MG design. Built for Brian and Zella Kelley at a Scottish yard, she is now being lovingly restored by her new owner.
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I found her at Brandyhole, on the River
Crouch in Essex, in a gulley looking sad. covered in tarps and suffering from an overdose of paint stripper. |
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They always look better when the tide is
up.... |
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Easter weekend. We bent on sails and took
her for engine trials, stayed over at Essex marina [the crew found the Adnams Broadside] and caught the tide for Oare Creek in Kent, as early as sore heads allowed next morning. My son, on the bowsprit, of course, and Steve, friend and crew, [rebuilding a Hillyard]. I think the conversation went something like " you have attached the tack to the slider, so......down.... again...." and those are big sails..... |
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"what do you mean, I think a nut or something
fell on my head" |
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Nasty moment at Oare - No one said it was a flat wooden scrubbing grid [an old barge bottom] we stuck on; we thought it was mud, so there was a panicky moment when the water went away. The 15inch wide keel kept her upright and completely steady. We warped the mast and added shores later, but just for peace of mind. Moved her alongside on the springs, but it gave me my first look at the hull form and I think she is really beautiful. Yes we agree, a very nice shape! |
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45 feet
hollow pine; One spreader was rotten - good job we did not sail Board down - you cannot see the clay still attached. Ready for the grand entrance.
Lifted up for the cradle to be removed and the centreboard dropped. |
October 2006. ID is now at Alan Staley's Yard at Faversham.
The mast is off and refurbished, and modified to run the wiring inside. That is now wrapped and stored ready for refit.
It sure looks as if a very thorough job is underway here. She is going to look great when she is back on the water! John |