Dinghy Show 2017

Originally posted by Rupert Did the H2 come second, then?

That is rather mean spirited of you. The H2 was not eligible as it had not been on the water. See rules of qualification for the Concours d'Elegance.

I think this is a woodbotherer thing, they are quite fanatical, I bet that Solo has every grain aligned and every joint perfect, it's what they do. Mental they may be, but send an ignorant layman to judge them you will have issues.
There was an H2 there but I'm sure KC didn't even consider it entered.

He's from Merlin world, they know about this stuff so his commentary should proably taken from that viewpoint, us Carbon Glass High Modulus fibre boys have nothing to say in all this.

Note I resisted the wide open opportunity for misogyny ;-)

Edited by iGRF - 06 Mar 17 at 8:03pm

Originally posted by iGRF I think this is a woodbotherer thing, they are quite fanatical, I bet that Solo has every grain aligned and every joint perfect, it's what they do. Mental they may be, but send an ignorant layman to judge them you will have issues. There was an H2 there but I'm sure KC didn't even consider it entered. He's from Merlin world, they know about this stuff so his commentary should proably taken from that viewpoint, us Carbon Glass High Modulus fibre boys have nothing to say in all this. Note I resisted the wide open opportunity for misogyny ;-)

Hello Graeme, sorry I missed you at the Show on Saturday. I was rather looking forward to seeing you again (yes, really).
You are of course absolutely right on with your reference to 'woodbotherers' and Merlin Rockets. I have been privileged to see the creations of the likes of Spud Rowsell, Laurie Smart and Jon Turner being built in their works and these boatbuilding icons set a very high standard indeed. (There are many others of very good standing, but I can't list them all and the 3 gentlemen mentioned are best known to me).
Jon Turner, for example, is not only a master woodbotherer (he was apprenticed to the great Spud Rowsell) but is now in the forefront of the science/art of composite construction. The latest manifestation of his nearly 50 years in the trade was on display on the Merlin Rocket stand. If you want to see 'attention to detail' then I hope you were able to have a look at that. And not a gram of wood in it. He even made the high modulus carbon spars himself. Now if you want a good boatbuilding story, Jon's biography is something else.

Edited by Keith_Callaghan - 06 Mar 17 at 9:25pm

I have not just publicly cast aspersions on someone else's craft, in the same arena where I tout my wares, so struggle to see how I am a "nasty person."
I'll be honest I have never built a boat in wood, and none of the boats I have built would be noted for skill in construction, which is one of many reasons why I wouldn't cast judgements on someone else's skill.

 

I dare say that you do, but I would like to think that Turner / Rowsell / whoever wouldn't publicly deride someone else's creation.
Maybe there is more to life than butt joints? Like overall impression.
A chef can have great knife skills but if he has a crap palate he will only ever make ordinary food.