Swallows and Amazons / buying a boat
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: How old is your boat?
Forum Discription: Antiques or brand new... tell us here!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6563
Printed Date: 10 May 25 at 1:01pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Swallows and Amazons / buying a boat
Posted By: MerlinMags
Subject: Swallows and Amazons / buying a boat
Date Posted: 19 Mar 10 at 7:00pm
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I am a bit of an Arthur Ransome nut. If you are too then please read on, or mention this to someone who is...
----------------------------------------------- A replica of 'Swallow' was built for the 1974 film of Swallows and Amazons and, after decades in a boatshed, is now for auction. I am coordinating a group of Ransome fans who want to purchase this vintage clinker/gaff dinghy, and keep her sailing for as many people as possible to enjoy. If you want a chance to sail this particular boat, please let me know if you feel able to make a donation to the kitty. email is: grabachance@merlinrocket.co.uk Please pass the message on. Thanks. 
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Replies:
Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 19 Mar 10 at 8:07pm
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Isn't this a boat advert? I have a unique boat available, its called a Laser?!!! ------------- |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 19 Mar 10 at 8:41pm
I didn't consider it to be a boat advert.......more like a nice bit of news about piece of nostalgia that deserves to be preserved. I would like to know who would end up as the boats custodian and where would it be located ? Cheers, Nigel ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 19 Mar 10 at 9:59pm
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I can't really help advertising the auction if I need promotion for the syndicate!
It would be joint custody. Hopefully the boat would travel the UK being sailed by anyone willing to contribute. Things are rather speculative at present. When we come to the point of asking for real money, we'll work out the full details. Please do ask any questions though. |
Posted By: Pierre
Date Posted: 20 Mar 10 at 10:22am
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Excellent idea. Well done MM for pointing this out. Watch out for those CVRDA types though... they lurk everywhere.. Rogerd, Rupert etc etc....... You should tweet it. |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 22 Mar 10 at 8:33pm
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Mr Mags is a member of the cvrda forum, too... I think we are all too poor to help, though! ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 22 Mar 10 at 8:40pm
Then it could finish the tour at Lancing at the tender ministrations of BNS. That would be a fitting end.  ------------- https://www.ease-distribution.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ease-distribution.com/ |
Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 27 Mar 10 at 11:08pm
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Thanks for that GRF....
Anyway, the news: Here's the inevitable campaign website: http://sites.google.com/site/swallowbid/ - http://sites.google.com/site/swallowbid/ We've got celebrity support, and donations from as far away as Australia have helped us reach nearly 40% of our target! Still a long way to go though... |
Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 31 Mar 10 at 3:06pm
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Another celebrity joins the ranks - John Sergeant!
Now we're up to 65% thanks to some very generous people who have emailed me in the last few days. Only 14 days to go. |
Posted By: Bootscooter
Date Posted: 02 Apr 10 at 1:18pm
Email sent . Fabulous idea btw. I may be able to help out with a workshop (fairly large) near Oxford, if it would be helpful?------------- |
Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 09 Apr 10 at 9:19pm
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It is fantastic the offers of help, and donations, that have come in. My thanks to you all.
We are able to make a great announcement today, that we have a partner charity willing to handle our initial finances, and make sure that we can claim 'Gift Aid' on any UK donations (an extra 28%)! This is all thanks to the http://www.nancyblackett.org/ - Nancy Blackett Trust who already maintain an Arthur Ransome yacht, and whose aims are consistent with those of our project. Further details on the auction and the arrangements we are making are on the website, with details of how to donate: http://sites.google.com/site/swallowbid/ - http://sites.google.com/site/swallowbid/ We'd love to get you out sailing just like in the books... |
Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 13 Apr 10 at 10:20am
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If you would like to help save 'Swallow' then please do so quick! Auction is at 3pm tomorrow (Wednesday 14th) and we do need just a little more...
http://sites.google.com/site/swallowbid/ - http://sites.google.com/site/swallowbid/ |
Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 14 Apr 10 at 3:45pm
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We did it! Thank you to everyone who donated.
More news when I have calmed down a bit... |
Posted By: Pierre
Date Posted: 14 Apr 10 at 4:56pm
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Well done chap. Good job. |
Posted By: JohnW
Date Posted: 14 Apr 10 at 10:41pm
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Hurrah!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdocqhgDmBs - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdocqhgDmBs
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Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 19 May 10 at 10:11pm
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We're just arranging for a Lakeland boatbuilder (Pattersons) to do a few small repairs on Swallow, and make her beautiful again.
Once I have waded through a sea of red tape, we'll be ready to welcome the general public aboard for a sail! |
Posted By: Mark Jardine
Date Posted: 20 May 10 at 7:38am
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I've got a feeling the 'elf and safety will require a little more due diligence than we saw in the film (perfectly demonstrated in the YouTube clip!) - my how times have changed... |
Posted By: JohnW
Date Posted: 20 May 10 at 9:09am
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"Better drowned than duffers, if not duffers, wont drown" |
Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 20 May 10 at 9:18am
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Actually, looking at the H&S aspects, it does not seem too bad (if you are not a full-blown watersports holiday company).
Plenty of red tape to do with setting up a sports club or charity though... |
Posted By: ifoxwell
Date Posted: 08 Aug 10 at 9:22am
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For all those interested I've just been informed that the
film this boat was in, is on the tele today! Ian ------------- RS300 |
Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 17 Mar 11 at 11:28pm
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Please excuse another blatant plug, but 'Swallow' is now ready to get wet for the first time this millennium, and I'd like to invite everyone to the relaunch event: 10th April 2011 at Coniston Boating Centre.
If you are able to make it to the Lakes that weekend, please see http://www.sailransome.org/relaunch - www.sailransome.org/relaunch for more details. Here's a lovely photo from the London Boat Show, thanks to that genius Tom Gruitt: 
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Posted By: Laser 173312
Date Posted: 19 Mar 11 at 4:13pm
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What delightful story, typical Ransome. I grew up with these books and there is plenty of sailing know now in them. Don't know how I missed this last year. Just goes to prove sailing caters for every one. Olympic's, Americea's Cup & Swallows & Amazons, hurrah. ------------- |
Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 25 Aug 11 at 5:11pm
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Swallow's http://www.sailransome.org/events/ - nationwide tour has gone really well this year. We've visited 17 events in 9 counties...
...but I've made a mess of organising this weekend. If anyone is available to skipper Swallow near Swindon (Bowmoor SC) on 27th and/or 28th August then please phone 01252 337554. No need to tow, and B&B accomodation is provided. |
Posted By: patj
Date Posted: 25 Aug 11 at 7:37pm
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So that's what they did when they moved the club to the new lake!
Swallow looked rather good at Bosham but she'd be more at home just across the water park at Whitefriars this weekend, for the Classic and Vintage Racing Dinghy Association (cvrda) nationals and Merlin Vintage De May travellers event.
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