Stoppress 2025

I have got the same great deal on antifouling again, now called EU45, (as it was years back) identical to the old Marclear, made by the same man... Bill Robinson. For high strength navy blue, mid blue, red, black, grey and white Antifouling. (Workboat red has become just red!)

Ring the free phone number above and quote EOG. Bill will make a donation to the EOG as a result of owners buying...

Now the paint is being supplied as 2.5 litres in 3 litre size cans, so it is easier to stir.

Members if you would like it delivered all you have to do is ring the free-phone number to speak to Bill and quote 'Eventide Owners Group' If you are not enrolled join first or we will know and you will not get the discount.

You pay him direct by card, or bank transfer it will come direct to you within 48 hours!

John

Scroll down for 2025 Stoppress pages...

So latest update at the top, under this header, earlier entries below.

Tuesday 3rd June 2025.

Had to smile when I saw this! Slava Ukraine

Eventide News. No more enrolments this week...

Great news from Nigel though. He has been restoring Bruce and Viv's Eventide 'Pegasus', and doing a great job by all accounts. Last week she was re-launched!

So good to see her back in her element!

Nigel tells us she will be based on the Medway at Lower Halstow. Photos above at Gillingham after launch and on her way down stream to her new mooring. Hope she gives you as many years of sailing, as she gave to Bruce and Viv.

She has come a long way from the days Nigel rescued her. Bruce had sold her years before, but reclaimed her after the buyer left her abandoned in a field to rot. A lot of water under the bridge since then. The new purchaser, Nigel, has been in touch with Bruce and Viv throughout the restoration and I am pleased to say she has kept her name. Bruce was in the Para's ! (Pegasus Bridge regiment!).

Well done Nigel, looking for an entry for the log competition next!

I have not been so luck getting Fiddler's Green sorted. She is afloat, has been for 4 weeks, but not managed to find a calm enough day to get the sails bent on her. Did the Staysail on Saturday, and was hoping for a sail the next day, it would not have taken long to bend spars to sails, but no, F6 Sunday! Still blowing hard today, F7 and heavy rain, though forecast, has not yet materialised, or I would have been aboard to give the decks a good scrub. A heavy rain storm saves a lot of rinsing off. They say the weather will improve, but we have a week of wild and windy first. Summer??

Heard from Dick at East Coast Pilot with some news. Some up to date sketch charts for the Deben and the Ore entrances for you. Click on the links below to go to his site and download them, for free!

East Coast Pilot News
June 2025

Welcome to all our subscribers, including those who have recently signed up to these very occasional newsletters.

Our main news this time is that the new chartlets for the Deben and Ore entrances have recently been published on our website. Surveys were carried out by Trinity House earlier than usual this year, actually in February, and Imrays have as usual produced clear Trinity House approved chartlets from the new survey data. We have combined each chartlet with some words of advice and an aerial photo of each entrance taken by John Ranson at LW.

Although the route in and out of the Deben is much as last year, there is a new drying knoll to port as you enter, making it important to pass close to the Mid Knoll buoy. Depth is reported to be good, several of our readers seeing no less than 3m at HW-2½.

The Ore entrance too has changed little although we have noted that care needs to be taken rounding the Oxley buoy.

As ever, both entrances are perfectly reasonable to negotiate so long as you don't take chances with them. Follow all the advice and you should be fine.

These chartlets are the result of a unique agreement brokered some years ago between Trinity House, Imrays and ourselves, and indeed we understand that these are the only minor river entrances surveyed by Trinity House on such a frequent basis. We sincerely hope that Trinity House will feel able to carry on with the arrangement into the future, it being of immense value to the leisure boating community.

We continue to add News Items and Book Updates as usual to our website. And these days we also use our Facebook page to tell those of our readers who read social media - we used to use Twitter, now X, but the Facebook page has attracted a far bigger following, now with over 3,000 followers.

But our website remains the ultimate and complete source of any new information - we encourage you to look at it regularly to see anything new.

We do welcome any news of changes in the area that we may not yet have heard about. It's easy to email us via the website (or PM me via Facebook) and you will always get a prompt reply. Incidentally we are reviewing the future of these newsletters - they are expensive to mail out, and if we do continue with them we will likely change provider, hopefully without any need for users to re-subscribe.

I'm sure that Garth and I will be out and about on the East Coast this summer, and we look forward to meeting up with you if our paths coincide with yours.

Wishing you a grand summer's boating -

Kindest regards,

Dick Holness

Co-author and webmaster

East Coast Pilot.

Just hoping the rain stays away, as I hope to be out on my 1964 Triumph tomorrow... I can cope with the breeze on that! Putter, putter!

John

Wednesday 28th May 2025.

We may be giving Ukraine another ship!

Eventide news. Very quiet again this week.

We have though, had a plea in from Christine. Wonder if we can assist her...

My name is Christine Fitzgerald. I am trying to find out what happened to the boat of a friend of mine. The boat was a Maurice Griffiths called Blue Teal. The owner was called Clive (and I can't believe I've forgotten his surname). He was from Crosby or Formby. I knew him from Liverpool marina. I used to have my boat, Thursday's Child (Tradewind 33) berthed next to Blue Teal. This was in the late 1980s.

I think it was in 1990/91, Clive got a job skippering a motor boat in Portugal. Tragically, he was lost overboard and his body never found.

Blue Teal was on the hard in the marina and, as a friend, I removed Clive's belongings from the boat and cleaned down below ready for selling. In the event, the boat couldn't be sold because, not having found his body, I think his family had to wait 7 years for a death certificate.

This is all from many years ago but I would love to know more of what happened Blue Teal. I'll attach a photo of my daughter, who was aged 12 at that time, helming Blue Teal on an overnight sail to Anglesey; Clive can be seen stood near the foredeck.

In 1992 I moved to Falmouth and have since spent many years long distance cruising, only swallowing the anchor now I'm 73.

If you or any of your members know anything about Blue Teal, I would truly appreciate to hear from them.

Best wishes

Christine

I wonder if anyone out there knows of 'Blue Teal' Cannot quite make out which of the many MG designs she could be, Cockler, Bawley, maybe??
Bit difficult from this one photo.

Here in Essex the weather has changed to warm and wet, and windy with it! Did manage to get aboard at the weekend and tidy up, get most of the gear stowed away and fit the dodgers and cockpit seat backrests to the guardrails. Too windy to bend on sails though. Hope to get back in a lull between these frequent low pressure systems and do more. I managed to change the water filter and run the motor up, but decided as the motor had only done 6 hours running last year, to skip unnecessary oil and filter changes. All dipped and tested OK. Batteries all topped up with the solar panel. 14v !

Whilst I have been down at the boat, hardly seen a dozen people and all I spoke to seem to be of the same opinion, we have had summer!

Cannot believe it is so nearly June and we are still seeing the River Blackwater empty! What Climate Change!!! Do hope my forecast of summer being a Wednesday in April is not true!

So its back home to enjoy the kittens!

John

Tuesday 25th May 2025.

Ukraine trying to feed the world. Our farmers do not have to de-mine first!

Eventide News:- Been rather quiet this week, but we have had another enrolment. Koren is contemplating purchasing a Golden Hind 31. Wait to hear if we can change her membership to full voting member! Apparently she and hubby sailed their previous boat into Bradwell recently! a Yarmouth 23. Sailed her from Cardiff Bay to Essex. Well done!

Weather on the Essex coast has been dire, cold NE winds persist. Hardly ever a sail visible from here and this time of year the Blackwater should be buzzing... I managed to get down late one afternoon as the wind dropped, and set up my mast, and with the help of a member of family, loaded a van full of gear on board, but too chilly to sit out putting the dodgers and the like on, let alone bending on sails. And with a Bank holiday coming up, guess what, at last it is going to rain, with thunder and lightning! Great. Why can't it be like in Camelot, warm and sunny by day, gentle rain at night? We have had so little rain here, there is talk of summer drought!

We have had an enquiry about the centre plate on an Atlantic Clipper, or rather the wisdom of a previous owner in removing it! I was able to inform the chap that this indeed was common practice and with the addition of a little ballast in the keel void, general handling was unaffected . (OK a bow thruster would make slow speed maneuvering and berthing easier, as the boat would previously have pivoted around the board, but only if there was enough water to have the board down.....). I hope the owner will take the trouble to enroll.

Here we have three new members in the family, that are bringing us great joy.

Say hello to 'Bubbles', 'Erik' ( the Red) and 'Luna' (tic)! First two are 8 weeks old, brother and sister, Luna is not related, and 2 weeks older, but all get on a treat!

We have only had them 3 days and they have melted us. Will keep us young we reckon!

Hope you are managing to get some sailing in, heard from the grandson in the navy, he is enjoying the heat wave off the north of Scotland! Blurry freezing down here!

Good sailing

John

Monday 12th May 2025.

Leaders. The Coalition of the Willing.

Ceasefire called for today. Will the ruzzians comply??? Well what do you think!!! Don't hold your breath....

Here at Fiddler's Towers, we made the effort last week for VE80. Sadly very few other houses were decorated... Is the freedom we enjoy just taken for granted now??

Eventide News:- I'm afloat! I managed to jump the normal queue as I was ready, thanks to that lovely weather a fortnight back, and I was in the way of another boat behind me!

Well that is the good news for me, not so good is the winds have been so strong and cold, I have yet to set up the mast, tighten the rigging and get that all important 'pre bend' in the mast! Hoping to get time later today, but had to be here this morning whilst the bathroom was being altered today. (We had a shower cubicle installed, now tidying up, building new cupboards etc.). All takes time!

No new enrolments. Guess most are busy fitting out. Apparently very few at Bradwell were ready to launch when we went in, delayed by that cold snap and unable to get to their boats when it warmed up, briefly! Hope you are getting there. Today 23 degrees here and the wind has at last eased. But Thunderstorms predicted! Typical UK weather!

One of my Seagull customers sent me a link to his website. Interesting stuff! www.backbearing.com

Barbican owner Chris has offered to speak to Danny re his Barbican. I was able to supply Danny with the info he was after. 'How was the deck constructed?', as the answer was indeed on the Barbican page of the site!

Heard today that there was a press day for our Database Manager John's publication launch.

Well done John!

All for now.

John

Sunday 4th May 2025.

May the Forth be with you!

Its Star Wars Day!! (Sorry about that one).

A sign of hope! First Penguin chick of 2025, from the Ukrainian Antarctic base!

Eventide News. First an apology. Sorry for the delay in publishing news. I have been working 25 hours a day, taking advantage of the exceptionally warm weather we have had. (Hottest Mayday on record.. what climate change!!). I have been working flat out on Fiddler's Green.

Antifouled, (Marclear EU45), woodwork treated, (Sikkens), Prop polished and finally yesterday, mast up.

See this page for how to raise and lower your mast:- https://www.eventides.org.uk/Mast%20lower.htm

See this page of the site for how to set up your rig:- https://www.eventides.org.uk/tip3.htm

A big thank you to crew men Keith and Harvey for turning out to help me raise the mast. Took an hour or so to organise, 2 minutes to raise, (thanks to Harvey's muscle on the anchor winch), and another hour to untangle all the halyards! Boom on, and radar fitted.

I will wait for the aches to ease before going back to set up the rig properly, get the pre bend in the mast and then tape up all the rigging screws!

So today a relaxing morning updating the Stoppress!

Had an enquiry re the construction of the Barbican from Jarvan. I was able to direct him to the Barbican page of the Gallery. https://www.eventides.org.uk/Barbican.htm Here we have been fortunate enough to had sight of a copy of the original spec. If anyone out there still has a copy of this could they scan it and send it so we can update the images we have...

No new enrolments this last couple of weeks, but we have heard back from Jiri, alias Georgo. He is coming to the UK later this year and is looking to purchase an Eventide. At 74 he is seemingly retiring from world girdling passages and not seeking something capable but also able to retreat into quiet creeks! Can think of no better craft!

Andrew has contacted us and would like to advertise 'Fallow', his Golden Hind. (Good name!). I shall be adding an advert to the For Sale pages shortly. Seems like a bit of a project, but a good price!

Finally a pic of 'Clementine' James's restored GH26. Re-launched after 18 months work and now moored on the Stour at Wrabness.

Well done James!

That's all for now, hoping that incredibly warm weather will return, as yesterday and now today temperatures way down, and too windy to bend on sails!! In the meantime I am back to FG later, to refit the anchor, that I brought home to store as it got in the way of the winter solar panels, that kept the batteries all topped up last winter. Then to put all the fenders aboard, and rig the mooring lines on my pontoon. Ready for launching!

Good fitting out to all.

John

Tuesday 22nd April 2025.

Well what do you know, he lied again!

How can you declare a truce and attack nearly 3000 times? Mostly civilians???

Eventide News.

Welcome to three new members.

Welcome to Herman in Cornwall with a 35ft ketch based in the French Canals at the moment. It is strip planked and epoxy sheathed. Nice looking boat.

Herman's boat, 'Blue'.

Welcome to Jiri in the Czech Republic. He is a round the world sailor, built a Slocum spray and sailed it for seven years, and has written books about his travels, sadly only available in Czech at the moment. After selling and sailing a Dutch design for a while he is now looking for an extremely well found Eventide 26 or slightly larger, with which to continue his travels. Must be capable of ocean passages and sneaking up shallow creeks. Our Eventide design fits the bill nicely there.

Welcome to Danny in Brighton. Danny is actively looking at a Barbican at the moment, and is trying to contact Barbican owners. Sadly for some unknown reason he cannot join their Facebook page, which might have been a good place to chat to other owners. After joining us he has posted a request for info on the EOG Forum. Hope he gets a response... I have been trying to contact some of the Barbican owners on our membership list, but sadly the email addresses are out of date for many and mails have bounced back. Maybe that is why the FaceBook page for the Barbicans fails too...? A reminder to all, if you change your mail provider and thus your mail address, do let us know.

But if you have experience of sailing a Barbican, preferably the long keel version, (without centreplate, or with centreplate jammed up!!), please contact Danny. Virendraonelove at gmail.com You know the form, remove the spaces and add @ instead. this hides mails from the trawling robots and avoids spam.

As our mail address is visible on the internet, we get over 30 spam a day, annoying but with the free program 'SpamFighter' it is manageable!

John Stevens our Database Manager tells me he is grappling with his computer trying to retrieve the old records so he can give us an up to date number for membership. Looking forward to that.

The observant will have noticed the 'Donate button at the top of this section of the Stoppress. Thanks to our webmaster Andrew in Bermuda, this now works. We are simply asking that owners and users of this website might consider a small (£5.00) donation if they wish the site to continue to provide the free service we have been managing for the last 23 years or so. Sadly Internet providers and computer programs to protect this site are not cheap.

Alternatively you could visit the Burgee page and buy a new smart burgee for the season. See link below! Click the flag...

Burgees for sale

Weather wise we have not yet actually had snow, as I foretold... but it had felt very chilly at times here on the Essex coast. A few heavy frosts . Told other parts of the country have seen some white stuff, but only on high ground.

Visiting the boat daily, as we are making daily trips to marina to use the showers, whilst our new bathroom shower cubicle is installed, and on most trips down there, the boat storage area is deserted. Not many venturing out in the cold as yet to lay underneath with paint rollers!. 'Fiddler's Green' is still fully sheeted over, so I do a quick check of the tie downs every day, re-tied a frayed line yesterday. Hoping to uncover her in the next week or so and attack the antifouling. Marclear again, of course! (EU45).

Hope your fitting out going to plan and the weather warms up, it is 18C here today, a good sign!

John

Saturday 12th April 2025.

I hoped the UK will continue to support Ukraine. Good news, we just announced a big increase in spending there!

Eventide News:- Sorry for slight delay in updates, been a little busy here. Bathroom renovations have taken up a lot of my time!

Did take time yesterday, with a couple of helpers, to put up a new Barn Owl nesting box to replace the old one, it had fallen apart, but had been good, 10 Barn Owl chicks in last 8 years, not bad! Plus 3 Kestrels and 4 Stock Doves, and they are an endangered species now! Also re fitted the small 'Little Owl' nest box that came down in a gale last autumn. Just waiting for new occupants!

Enrolments. Good news Joe has confirmed his details and is joining us as a 'Friend'. He is hoping to take over owner ship of 'Jua', the Golden Hind 34 ashore in the north east. Hoping we can change membership to full when he becomes the proud owner and salvor.

Another full member to welcome, Paulo in Portugal. He is the new owner of an Atlantic Clipper 36. He was asking for any information that might be useful in registering the boat with the local authorities. I was able to direct him to the Barbican and Atlantic Clipper page, where there is a copy of the builders info. That was exactly what he needed. Whilst on the page he found his boat under a different name, 'Mariking'. Now 'Sula'.

I will be sending his welcome letter shortly.

Heard from Chris in the Netherlands. After his boat was destroyed in an apparent arson attack, his insurers paid up promptly and Chis has been able to purchase a replacement. Not going to miss a season! Yesterday he sent me a message saying he was enjoying a lovely sail, to his new mooring, only 25 Km from his home. Nice one Chris, Good sailing.

Update to the enquiry about the Eventide 24 'Sparrow'. Barry the grandson of the builder and owner contacted us again, saying internet a little sketchy, as he was sailing round the world! I needed more info.

Built in the Isle of Man and sailing the Irish Sea!

Oh no, I was hoping for a happy ending, so sad. I was there on and off during the build and was there the day we moved her to Castletown Harbour to launch her off a trailer at high tide. My grandfather was in his 70's when he built her. I knew that when he died she was sold to an Irish owner. I am currently sailing around the World on my Van De Stadt. The inspiration to do this started the day we launched Sparrow, I always thought I'd see her again.

Thank you so much for the work that you have done, its much appreciated. I've attached photos anyway. Lots more of the build if anybody is interested.

Cheers, Barry

Left the UK 9 years ago and am due back in Plymouth August to celebrate my single handed circumnavigation. As I said Sparrow and my Grandfather sowed the seed for this dream about to come true. His family have a long history on the island of St Helena. I have just left there after an amazing connection with my families past.

Below is the link to my media. I have a sailing adventure series that does ok on the net. Adventures of an Old Seadog.

UClIKklzZCK7VQ3Rmbojvfyw

Seems his grandfather who built 'Sparrow' was Colonel L.Y. Bazzett. He sent me a photo..

1960's sailing gear!

Apparently quite a character! Hopefully we will get more photos and information about her.

Some may have noticed a non operational 'Donate' button on this page. I am hopeful Andrew our webmaster in Bermuda can make it work shortly. also the eBay page, that appears to have failed, again!

Heard form Chris in Portugal, his 'Mew Gull' has sold! To a local lady, waiting for an enrolment..

I made a quick trip to the boat one evening, cold easterlies meant the marina was deserted! I only stayed long enough to apply some more lime scale remover on my prop. Brr. Yesterday and today the temperatures have soared to 22C and as we are making trips down there to shower, we noticed a lot more activity! I still think there is a good chance of snow yet, we will see. So not rushing! I only have to whip the covers off and antifoul really, polished the topsides last autumn. Oh and apply the polishing mop to that shiny prop of mine! As soon as I am able I will be doing just that. so long as it is above 15C No point trying to paint if too cold!

Hope your fitting out going apace.

John

Sunday April 6th 2025.

Today I posted the Annual Report on the members page of the Forum.

Bottom line is we are solvent, just, but would welcome more small donations to ensure the site remains open.

John, Website coordinator.

Tuesday April 1st 2025.

It's April fool's day

Still waiting for that promised cease fire.

So long as the evil fool Putin lives it will never come.

Seems lies and more lies from both the clown and him.

History will be written about those two fools!

We carry on supporting.

https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal

Info from John Stevens, we fooled the ruzzians with an April Fool!! Click to see!

Eventide News. Had an enrolment from a chap who will not give his name and in a mail afterwards states he does not own the boat he is claiming to want to register??? Wonder if he had something to do with the old assoc. committee?? Very odd.

Not heard any more from the man in Brazil either?

On the other hand Shannon in Portugal, with the steel WW 'Kathleen', has been in touch. He is renovating and has made large strides removing rusted sections and repainting. He hopes to sail back to the UK this year. Then do a circumnavigation of the UK!

The before and after and a pile of debris! Well done Shannon, bet it is a little warmer in Portugal to be working on her!

Heard from Barry Perrins. he is searching for the Eventide his late grandfather built in the Isle of Man and he is searching out photos so we can maybe trace her. We do know the sail number was 393, so that makes her a 1960's boat. Hope she is still about. Recalls she was sold to Ireland.... More when we get it. Sadly found she was scrapped in 2005 in Tarbert, Scotland.

A mail in from Steven with the Eventide 'Fintra' He is wanting to sell her. An advert on the For Sale pages.

I have just heard that our Database Manager John Stevens is now a 'published author'! He has written a short story that is included in a book, about recovery from serious illness.

John has given me a link to the site the charity book can be found.... https://amzn.eu/d/12GDKwi

We have been wondering how long the finances of the group would allow the website to stay live, and after my mention a few weeks back we have had a couple of generous donations that will ensure we are still live in 2026! I am trying to get our webmaster Andrew, to create a couple more Donate buttons on different pages, hopefully when we get one to work on this page we might see a few more small donations.

Talking of which, how a bout a new burgee for the season?

Tap the flag to go to the Burgee page.. then donate for one on the home page donate button.

Trying to get all the reports in for the annual reports etc. Will be on the members only page of the Forum shortly.

All for now, bright and sunny out there but with a F6 easterly it is bitter. Not antifouling time as yet! I have a feeling we may still get that snow! Keep the covers on!

John

Monday 24th March 2025.

Happy Birthday to Doug, 94 yesterday!

Doug is a founder member, Waterwitch builder and a retired, senior London detective, proud to call him a friend.

Eventide News. No new enrollments but an enquiry from Brazil for Riptide drawings, that may well result in a new member shortly.

Chris in the Netherlands has sent details of a new strange shaped wind generator. All the vanes made of some sort of plastic. At 90cm wide not too huge either. We wait to hear how it performs. Seems to have 4 blades but only 2 fitted so far in the photo.

See this link.

https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005008459231079.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.83.b8e179d21wgWEM&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld

Had another request for info re replacement mast for an Eventide. Could be a repeat of a previous one, this time it is from Paul, but in the same area in Ireland?? Again I have suggested a search round all the local boatyards to see if there is a suitable donor spar laying unused somewhere, boat maybe scrapped. If you have the remains of the old Ali mast then fittings can be reclaimed and reused. All you need is a drill to remove the rivets and a good rivet gun and some foam insulating strip, to refit.

Not sure if it is a wooden mast or not though and if it is timber masts can be carefully remodeled, and using modern epoxy would be stronger than the original. All you need it a good carpenter!

For years now I have been telling all that sea levels are rising, but it seems they are now saying that the rate is accelerating wildly. It was a millimeter or two a year, but now, with global warming the amount of glaciers melting, ice caps retreating, this is increasing, and as it does it accelerates the process. Sea levels in the Thames estuary are now 10cm higher than they were in 1993! Seems the rising temperatures worldwide are causing water to thermally expand as well, and it seems that is not slowing down!

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/14/unexpected-rate-of-sea-level-rise-in-2024-nasa

Not sure how long it will be before we can have a jetty at the end of our road, as we are 20m above HW level, but suspect a few marinas will have to extend their pontoon anchorage poles!

As a footnote, with all the shenanigans in Arabia by the Trump loons with ruzzia, a reminder of the track record of the ruzzian terrorists that the Ukrainians are having to deal with. Apparently in the last 10 years there have been over 20 cease fires agreed, and guess who broke every one!

Just donated to try and get more all terrain ambulances to help. I am collecting the badges! See the link:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V834VHx1yi0

Hoping for a peaceful summer season, but not holding my breath!

John

Monday 17th March 2025.

Text has to be green today, St. Patrick's Day

Eventide News.

Spent several hours adding 100 plus photos of the building of the latest Eventide, 2501, 'Wadabe' Well worth a look, see the Gallery, Eventide page, scroll to the bottom! This is a truly remarkable boat. Apart from the beautiful finish, it also boasts very green credentials, from the timbers sourced, to the inboard engine!

I also spent a little time adding more pictures to the great article by Chis Painting, on the rebuilding of his cockpit to make it rain proof!

The For Sale page has an advert for Chris Painting's lovely boat, 'Mew Gull'. well worth a look. SOLD!!

Re the Metro Bank. I realised a week or so back that there would not be enough funds in our account to last more than a year, bearing in mind web hosting, computer programs and Cloud access to preserve the site. I attempted to place a 'Donate' button on these pages, but sadly though the button appeared, it was inoperative?? I have asked Andrew in Bermuda, our webmaster, to assist. There is obviously a lot going on behind the button that I cannot see.

As a result of consultations with the Steering Group and a couple of suggestions from them, I was hoping that if we placed more 'donate' buttons we may prompt one or two to making small donations to keep us going.

Alternatively I was asked for the bank details, and one kind owner has indeed made a donation that way.

So here are the details:- Metro Bank sort code:- 23-05-80. Account:- Eventide Owners Group. Account No. 55748314.

On a totally different tack, I learnt today that my uncle had his DNA tested some time back and it revealed a 6% Irish background! Wondered if that is why I felt so at home there! Always liked the Irish traditional music!

But no, the tune 'Fiddler's Green' that I named our boat after, is not of Irish origin, though some claim it, it was written by John Connolly, a librarian in Grimsby! 1966. I spoke to John when thinking of a name, and I have his kind permission to use it! There is of course a wharf area in San Francisco of the same name, and I am partway through a book of the same name, written about that area, by Earnest Gann.

Odd coincidence behind that. I inherited a load of my mothers books years back and a year or so back, I was reading a book my late father had read, by Earnest Gann. I was so impressed by his account of the last days of trading under sail, that I looked inside the back cover for more details and there was the name of another book he wrote, 'Fiddler's Green'. Spooky!

After a calm, yet chilly spell, it looks as if the weather will be warming shortly. Still have my suspicions winter, such as it it is these days, has not quite finished yet. Still time for snow! And with that in mind I popped down the boat yesterday, to check the covers, replaced just one frayed length of cord. To my amazement there were half a dozen stalwarts down there, with just a 6 degree C temperature, trying to polish the topsides of their GRP boats, would not have thought the wax would have flowed too well! We remain securely covered. ( I polished and waxed the hull of 'Fiddler's Green' before I covered her over, whilst it was still warm, to save time this spring..).

I might pop back and give the prop a spray with de-scaler this week, always help clean the slight deposit off before I re-polish the prop!

Finally is there anyone out there with a good working knowledge of Microsoft 'Expression 4 Web'? I use this program to add pages to the site, but recently I have found some pages are failing to appear as I see them on my monitor whilst editing. It appears to be a 'formatting' issue and, at the moment it, is foxing me.

John

Monday 10th March 2025.

Our resident Black headed Gull has his summer plumage!

Been that warm here recently, got to be snow later!

Eventide News. Really good news, managed to get into the new bank account and pay some pennies in, that were held over from the closed account! Still not 100% as they could not amend our address today, hoping to get that sorted soon Amazing the paying in book and the cheque book made it here with just a postcode!

No new enrolments this week. But we do have a lovely Lone gull II for sale though. I will be adding the advert shortly. She is in Portugal. Mew Gull.

Mew Gull.

Chris has sent in a raft of photos for the advert and also an article that I should have published years back about the restoration of his cockpit. It got lost somehow... I hope to get my fingers working on both the advert and the article soon!

Watching BBC news the other day a name caught my eye. 'The Baileys' and their story of survival at sea! They had their home stolen from them by a whale! they survived for months! Real intrepid people. New book.. See https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2x0eyr9kjo

Another BBC article made me look twice, it was a photo taken from Maldon prom looking up towards town. Look what was prominent in the foreground!

Where is she now! Believe it is a steel Eventide. (Isis??)

Had a great mail in last week from a member, Dr. Josef in Austria. Years ago I had conversations by mail with him and he eventually obtained a set of drawings from us to build an Eventide. Pleased to say that Sail number 2501 was given and she is registered in Vienna.

A beautifully crafted Eventide, and gaff rigged too!

I have a long article about her building and loads of photos to add this week! Here is a taster.

Congratulations Josef. She is a fine looking craft!

Whilst we wait to hear the latest bad news from the idiot the other side of the pond, pleased to hear the countries of Europe and beyond are rallying to support Ukraine. We must do what we can. ( Or learn to speak ruzzian!!). Just taken delivery of another lovely quality product from St. Javelin, made in Ukraine, hoping to do my little bit to help the effort. Have a look at their products.

https://www.saintjavelin.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor6C1Az8prDil69rOJ-WUythYiw_PmJKVQdZstWRlMBBtQtbM0G

John

Post Script. As I went to publish this, we had a mail from Metro bank stating they had sorted it all out and apologizing. Lloyds could do with taking a leaf out of their book!

John

Second post script. I have just added and edited Chris Painting's article about the renovation of his cockpit on his Lone Gull II. I made the cockpit on FG with sililar drains etc. and they have worked, dry lockers. Worth reading.

I have also added the advert for his boat, Mew Gull. It is in Portugal and well worth a look if you want a real quality looking Lone Gull II. Too late, Sold April 2025!

John

Saturday 1st March 2025.

St David's Day.

Though my surname is Williams, cannot find a trace of Welsh ancestry!

After yesterdays disgusting attack on Zelensky by Trump, Americans need to step up and change their leader! They will otherwise struggle to win friends.

Seems no one can trust them now, whilst he is in control...

Eventide Good News: Sadly overshadowed by the news from USA.

Was hoping for a good news day, as at last our new bank account is up and running as of yesterday. Has only taken 3 months....

Well the sun has come back, that is good news I suppose. Still darn cold though and on the east coast with the wind it is biting. Boatyards empty!

Had a mail from Haley, regarding 'Coronette'.

He said, 'It was once in my possession and the possession of my father-in-law Lt Gen Sir Douglas Packard, who sailed her out of the River Deben on the East coast for many years, and cruised regularly down to Brittany and the south coast with other retired soldiers.

After he gave up sailing, my wife and I took her over, and sailed out of Poole Harbour, where we had to have her substantially rebuilt at Wareham as she broke loose from her moorings and sank. We later sailed her back to the river Deben , and several years later sold her to a West Country buyer.

(We suspect this was to the chap Bill bought her from, languishing in a Cornish creek. It was Bill of course, who so beautifully restored her.)

We were most impressed by the work Bill had done on her, and she must now be in much better shape than when we sold her those many years ago.

Sadly I had to recount the story of the subsequent loss of 'Coronette', under the cliffs of Beach Head. Sad loss of a quality craft. Fortunately the skipper managed to escape.

On a happier note, hope you are making plans for the coming season, just hoping we are able to enjoy our boats???

John

Tuesday 25th February 2025.

Demonstrations all over Europe to mark the 3rd year of last ruzzian invasion. And disgust at the lies and antics of Trump.

But it is over 11 years since ruzzians first invaded eastern Ukraine and Crimea in 2014, remember the Airliner they shot down.?

Every day they remain in Ukraine, we are closer to world conflict.

Ukraine flags flying in our village in support.

Eventide News. Difficult to stay positive, but we must.

This week we have had another enrolment. Welcome to Simon in Wales who is interested in a Senior. Not sure if he is buying a used one or thinking maybe of building.. Hope to find out soon.

Whilst on the subject of the Senior design, still looking for a Senior owner to step up as rep and be on the EOG steering Group.

Metro Bank. The saga rumbles on. Waiting to hear if the copy of our minutes, where the Steering Group vote to switch to Metro will be accepted or not?? Never thought it would be so hard to open a bank account.

Meanwhile Lloyds sent me a demand for the first monthly payment for the privilege of them holding our pennies. The threat of that is what caused us to leave. They say they are going to debit the EOG account at Lloyds, that they closed! Good luck with that one Lloyds!

Little else to report this week, except that it has warmed up a lot in Essex and the sun has been seen! Still far too early to grovel about under boats with paint brushes though!

Instead it's time to enjoy the spring bulbs and catkins and plan ahead.

John

Tuesday 19th February 2025.

We still support them even if 'others' do not!

I have stopped all my business post to the USA until there is a change there!

Eventide News. The Bank saga rumbles on! They have difficulty with an organisation such as ours, that has no central clubhouse that we can have meetings in. We conduct all business by email. You would think in todays modern age where banks want to do away with post and paper communication, to go electronic they could understand that... We are getting there but it all takes longer.

Good news is the members of the Steering group, John Stevens, as Database Manager and assistant Fund Manager, myself as Website coordinator and Fund Manager,. Steering Group members, Eilard in the Netherlands, Simon, Nick and Graham in the UK are willing to stand again! With them the MG designs, the GH and the Waterwitch and Eventide are well represented.

What we are short of is a Senior owner or builder to step up to represent the Y.M. Senior and join the Steering Group.. Or a WildDuck or 3Tonner owner maybe? Would be good to have other designs represented... Any volunteers??

No more enrolments this week, but a couple of enquiries and a member wishing to sell a Hillyard 2 and a half tonner. I will be adding that to the 'For Sale' pages shortly.

Had an enquiry from Dave in Devon re where to find a wooden mast for an Eventide 24. This is the third such enquiry in the last few weeks. Does anyone know of anyone making masts these days? I don't. Could always repair the old one....

The advice I give to all these enquiries, is to search the local boatyards for an old ali mast the right section and length or a bit longer, and maybe even a bent or damaged spar, just for the fittings, and then make one good one by altering mast fittings to make the mast suit your rig. All you need is a rivet gun! I built a mast here in the garden from two spars last autumn, albeit for just a 16ft boat!

I did this first, way back in 1975, replacing the suspect wooden mast on board my Eventide 24. 'Bluenose', In 1989 I made a new mast from parts purchased from Sailspar of Brightlingsea. Today that would cost a small fortune, so the recycled spars far the cheapest option. I know today there are loads more masts lying about, unused, in boatyards today, that they will love to get shot of. Not much to be made from scrapping metal and that is where they tend to go. Most boatyards and marina now have boat graveyards, where comparatively modern craft, GRP ones, have been abandoned by owners or the family of deceased owners. Many have racks of spars.

It has been sunny here for a few days, for a change, but cold, still not enough to freeze the pond solid, that has not happened for years now. What climate change? Still it is not yet fitting out time, still too cold for boat work outside. Oh I wish we had access to that cosy barn still! Checked covers again, all good, as it is about to warm up and get wet.

Good news is I have very little to do this spring, normal engine service, change drinking water filter, rig mast with nicely washed halyards and paint her bottom. 3 days?? Maybe...

Roll on summer.

John

Thanks for the proof reading Keith! Corrected!

Monday 10th February 2025.

Came across this by chance. The grandson's ship entering Odessa in Ukraine.

HMS Dragon!

A few years ago, hopefully they will be back soon!

Eventide News. Raymond in Canada has been back to us and added a copies of the Kylix and the Waterwitch drawings to his package. Posted last week, should be well on the way. Wonder which one he may opt for.

Down the boat after the gales last week and replaced a couple of lengths of the thin parachute cord I use to secure my covers. Noticed other boats with torn and tattered covers again, those cheap blue woven poly covers. They just don't last. bought mine for a farm supplier, much stronger! This is their third winter and still good. Watching the weather this week as high pressure has brought cold easterlies over from the continent. Do not want snow. The beast from the east a few years back was a wake up call to many.

We know the planet is warming by our pollution, but we have upset all the weather patterns, so as well as losing the four distinct seasons we are having many variations in temperature as well. This winter the artic is having record high temperatures, melting too much ice and altering the way the Labrador current and the Gulf stream work... Could get much colder here in winter in future! All a mess. Plant more trees, before it really is too late.

The chap in Ireland looking for a wooden mast for an Eventide, turns out to be the owner of 'Osprey' Was 'Osprey of Dublin'. This is the Eventide 24 that the master carpenter built, a labour of love over 20 years or so. Do not think he ever sailed her, he was a builder not a sailor methinks. Did an amazing job, covered in carvings etc. Waiting for updated photos from the owner, Andrew Sexton.

Off to Chelmsford tomorrow, the the big city! Hopefully we will have the new bank account sorted at the end of tomorrow!

Cold and damp here today and hear some parts of the country have snow. Hope those covers are secure!

John

Tuesday 4th February 2025.

Watching with interest what's going on in Ukraine, a week or so into the new American presidents term..

Eventide News:- We have had another enrolment. Welcome to Raymond in Canada. He is interested in building an Eventide. He has donated to us for a set of drawings. The DVD has been burnt and will be packaged to be posted shortly.

Had a call from a member who sadly lost his mast in one of the recent storms. Guessing the wood gave way. Asking if anyone has a spare mast. Then I noticed the e-mail was from an Irish company, so the ali mast that was at Downs Road boatyard in Maldon about 5 years back, is too far away!

I advised a trip to a few local boat yards to try and find a donor ali mast the right size, and maybe some fittings from other damaged masts. I did that back in 1975 to very good effect, though I was lucky to find a source of bare ali spars for the mast. No anodising, but a good coat of car polish kept it shiny!

Was back at our boat the other day, a grey cold one, not a soul in sight. But checked all lashings are OK. Commented that in all the hundreds of boats ashore at Bradwell, ours is almost the only one totally covered in tarps! Down to near the waterline. Hoping the covers will last out the season and maybe next! If I am still sailing in 2026?? Rapidly coming to the conclusion that I should pass Fiddler's Green on to someone younger and fitter! She is in top notch condition and ready to sail off on new adventures, just not sure I am!

As the evenings get perceptively lighter, longer, thoughts turn to fitting out. Not that winter has finished with us yet! Sure it will have a sting in the tail, often does! With Spring in mind I dropped into the Maldon Chandlery Saturday and purchased a new cartridge for our water filter. One of the few items on my shopping list this fitting out time. I was astonished to see the price of these now, 20 years ago they were £20.00. Today seen them at anything up to £49.00!! Pleased to say Marinestore in Maldon can still beat all the online shops for just about everything! £38.00. Sold! When I was preparing F.G. for the round UK trip, I ended up in there for charts, pilot books and all manner of chandlery. A small family store worth supporting.

This afternoon the confirmation letter and statement arrived from Lloyds . At last we have the closing statement and look forward to popping into Chelmsford again next week to open the new bank account for the group. All seems to take so much time!

John

Tuesday 28th January 2025.

The war still rages, despite Trump's promises!

How long before it spreads??

Eventide News. We are another step nearer opening our new bank account. Spent the morning in Chelmsford at the bank where they scrutinised our constitution, our aims and the online email Steering Group meetings we have. Pleased to say all agreed. Now the second signatory on the cheques has just to visit his local branch and prove his identity and in a fortnights time when I have to go back to the bank a forth time.... hopefully we will be up and running. So many T's to cross and I's to dot. Many, many hoops to jump through these days, just to prove we are bona-fide and not sponsoring terrorism or crime! Understand totally the need, but it is frustrating. Gone are the days one could just pop into any bank and set up an account! Hopefully by March and the Annual Meeting, (in the Members section of the site,) I can reveal in the report the state of the finances at said bank!

It was suggested we had a 'Face ache' page, but I for one shun social media, do not trust it, and without someone overseeing it, not sure how that would work. Understand you need moderators, as we have on our Forum and they could control it, any volunteers?

Little quiet on the mails front. Had a member wishing to sell a boat and enquiring as to how to log on to the Forum... Sadly not so many seem to be using our forum, maybe we are a little conservative, with a small 'c'! Hopefully he will be sending me photos and an inventory so I can add it to the 'For Sale ' page.

I have added some photos to the Gallery though and tidied up the 'For Sale pages. still find boats have sold and owners neglect to inform us... We like to remove old adverts so sellers do not get wasted calls...

Have been noticing the evenings, or rather the afternoons, have been staying lighter longer. 1700 now and not dark! Looking forward to those long light evenings. Fitting out time approaches.

I checked the boat covers after the heavy gales Friday, all good. I was down at the boat midday on Saturday and the sun was blazing. First time we have had lots of good sunshine for ages. Been so dull and grey here. Dry but grey! (We have had loads of wet stuff today though!) So a perfect day Saturday to get the ladder out and climb aboard. First time for a while. Needed to check the solar panels were topping up the ship's batteries. They were! Voltage not up to the normal level, only 12.4v, but not surprising given we have had no sun! (I keep track of it here, as when the sun shines my smart meter reads zero! Not done that for a while till Saturday!).

Service battery gently charging at 0.2 Amp. with low winter sun.

The fridge batteries showing a healthy state of charge.

Not taking a charge, as the smart splitter was directing it to the Services battery.

I also removed my hand held search lamp, as it has to be kept on charge all the time. It had not been trickle charge in the holder for 6 weeks or more, high time to plug it into the 240v charger I have for it at home. It has a long life battery in it, lasts 10 years or more, but only if left charging gently. Now gently topping up at home!

Was interesting to see about a dozen other boat owners at their boats, first time I have seen anyone for weeks. a little sunshine is all it takes! When I next go down I must apply some 'de-scaler' for the lime scale deposit on my shiny prop! That will make it easier to shine up later!

Fitting out this year should be very straight forward. a service on the little Beta 17 inboard and double check of the standing rigging, reeve the washed halyards and antifoul!

Roll on summer!

John

Tuesday 21st January 2025.

After the funny business the other side of the pond, it is more important than ever that we stand with them.

Eventide news. We have had a mail from Sandy regarding a boat his father owned. He had a Waterwitch built back in 1963, up in Scotland at a boatyard in Moray. At the moment we only have tiny thumbnail pics, waiting on the full size ones.

Looks like sail number 67, but I could be wrong.

Where is she now?

Also heard again from Keith with a 3Tonner moored in Norfolk on the Broads. Hopefully some photos will wend their way here shortly.

Been cold and dismal here for a few days again, just a glimpse of the sun today. Weather man says check your covers, high winds and rain on the way this week! We still have a couple of months of Winter to go yet.

John

Tuesday 14th January 2025.

Supporting the hero's defending Ukraine and Europe.

https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal

Eventide News.

A new enrolment, the first this year. Welcome to Keith with the 3 Tonner, 'King Shilling', he sails the Norfolk Broads, great cruising ground! Hoping to get some photos to add to the gallery, when the sun comes back out!

Been dull and miserable for a while, and cold, but at least the sun showed it's face yesterday and today, for a bit anyway..

It has just been announced that the UK had its warmest January temperature, ever, today. What Climate change!

https://techhub.social/@metoffice/113832320066919492

I was down at the boat earlier, checking and replacing a few of the lengths of parachute cord holding my cover down, they tend to fray where they go over the chine! Generally pleased to say 'Fiddler's Green 'and her covers have fared well, far better than many boats at Bradwell. I wonder if anyone goes back to check, after leaving them in Autumn. A flogging eyelet can do a lot of damage!

I see the larger version of the Eventide design, 'Irene' is still ashore. Suspect it will stay there till spring. Ray has a long way to come to sort things out, all the way from Eire.

One of my Seagull customers sent me a link to his sailing log, he sails long distances, offshore, round the UK, but solo?? Still not sure how you can ever comply with the 'Prevention of Collision Regulations' singlehanded! Worth a read though:- www.sv-sancerre.net

The days are getting imperceptibly longer now, roll on spring!

John

Tuesday 7th January 2025

I have been reading about various groups spending time and effort, dodging the ruzzian shelling just to save animals, of all types. One young lad has rescued over 40 cats and feeds them with his own money. These people are admirable.

Click this link to see their work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W16YDFlGdvQ

Eventide News.

Sadly starting the year off with the sad news that one of our members in the Netherlands lost his boat in a fire yesterday. It is believed to be a random act of arson...

The good news is that he is insured. We wait to hear how well he gets on with the insurance company.

Other Good news, we are another step further to opening a new 'Club' account at Metro Bank. I have all the signed paperwork back and the mails from members of the Steering Group to take with me to Chelmsford, got an appointment in two weeks time. Just hope there is no snow!

We never saw any snow in this part of Essex. We are just a mile or so from the coast here, so slightly warmer than 10 miles up the road. However a lot of you, if further north, will have had a basin full, so hope those covers are secure.

We have had issues with our internet service provider, Heart, over the holiday period. They decided, in their wisdom, to change all the mail settings on everyone's mails. You can imagine the number of complaints they must have had, if our experience is anything to go by. All our outgoing mails failed. My business the same and even the auto responder failed to work. Great. They had no staff on to fix it. Then they tell us it is our fault as the settings we were given to use years ago were out of date.... well the mail worked well up till midday on the day they chose to alter it... Some people.. Had a message from them today saying it was all down to the previous administration, as they had only just bought the company. Strange that, heard that excuse from someone else recently...

Heard today that the increased wind strengths we are now experiencing, have helped to raise the amount of electricity generated by wind power in the UK. This is the first time I have actually heard of an organisation admitting it is getting windier! Also the Met office are explaining the high rainfall on the same thing, Climate Change. The additional 1 to 1.5 degrees of air temperatures simply means the air can hold a lot more moisture, and thus it can also release it when it gets here! Sure the people of Lincolnshire will be pleased to hear that, they are flooded!

Hope 2025 brings us a few good sailing days.

Fingers crossed. Just to try and help, I have another half dozen trees to plant, every little helps!

John

Thanks to proof reader Keith for the correctons!

PS. Had to smile today, Keith called me to tell me though I got all of the corrections, I then miss spelt corrections! See last line above... Duhh

Tuesday 1st January 2025!

Support Ukraine!

Honestly feel if we do not support them, we should be learning ruzzian!

https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal

Tower bridge and fireworks, my old 'patch'.
Happy New Year, Eventiders, here comes 2025! Hope it brings peace and happiness to all.

*******************

Eventide News.

As expected the EOG mail box has been relatively quiet. We have however had an issue with our service provider. Sadly on New Years Eve our outgoing mail was interrupted and 3 days later we are still unable to respond to anyone.     As you can imagine there were few staff on duty at Heart over the holiday, so we may have to wait a few days to get it sorted. Apologies if you were waiting for a reply.

Just before the mail failed I was able to respond to Alan who had sold his lovely 'Stella Marie'. An MG design. ( Note to me.. I have to move her from the For Sale pages).

At 80 he has decided to go 'stink boat'! Good move Alan, long may you enjoy getting afloat!

I have been busy with the bank and the Steering Group have been sending me new updates on the proposal to move from Lloyds to Metro Bank. The bank needed more specific info..   Hoping to get back to Chelmsford soon with the completed paperwork, to open the new account. Moving to close the Lloyds account.

Today for the first time in ages the sun is out! We have had weeks of dismal, misty and foggy weather. Today it is cold but bright, so hoping the batteries aboard are going to be charging nicely with the solar panels hung on the boat.

Solar panels facing south!

Checked the covers last week after the last blow and all OK. Snow in the forecast for much of the UK, in the next few days, but possibly not in Essex. However pleased she is all wrapped up to cope with it. Hope your boat is!

Lastly it is 100 years ago today that the shipping forecast was first broadcast.   Those evocative melodies of 'Sailing By' are forever associated with that late night forecast. However that music was not added till much later, the 1950's apparently, though I have always heard it when I listened.

If you did not catch the 0900 broadcast on Radio 4 today, this link will take you to some of the highlights.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4Xd1HYns0lKBdl27DDGnWpG/the-shipping-forecast-centenary

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c0ewj85nj8wo

I have a cherished recording here of one of the famous readers Amand Nadel, doing a comedy reading of Les Barker's work, one of our folk hero's poems. Hilarious! Wish I could link it here... worth looking up, bet it is on UTube!

So while we wait to see if we will get snow, click on the links above and enjoy the shipping forecast, read by a variety of comedians and actors!

Here is to a peaceful, happy and healthy 2025.

John

nday 21st October 2024.