Messages

I own Planet (672) a 'modified' 500 series National 12.
It has the old galvanised steel centre plate.  I was thinking of trying a Firefly centre plate, but for the time being I am persevering with the steel one.
However the current arrangement for pulling it up and letting it down leaves much to be desired. 
Currently the centre plate has a pulley attached to it and there are two others, either side of the kingpost.  I also have a couple of bronze 'jammers' (bronze tube with a slot down one side) fixed to the front edge of the seats on either side, The single rope leads from one jammer to the closest king post pulley, then to the pulley on the plate, and then to the other pulley on the other side of the king post and finally to the opposite jammer forming an 'M'. 
This should allow you to pull the plate up from either side of the boat.......If it were not for the jammers - which refuse let go of the rope unless the weight of the plate is removed...Currently achieved by puttings ones foot on the plate to push it forwards, allowing you to release the rope from the jammer.
Its a bit of a 'palava'.   So what setups do other people have with thier vintage boats?  Or do people just leave the thing down as its pretty thin anyway?

I would like to thank a chap called Micheal Townsend who has recently let me have (at no cost) a set of cotton sails for my N12 Planet for those vintage CVRDA events. 
I would also like to continue in this vein, by offering up some of my spares.
I have a couple of old fixed spoon rudders and some old main sails.  Unfortunately I am a bit short of decent jibs, but one or two rust stained ones are available, if anyone is interested, let me know.
Thanks
Steve H

Currently on ebay.  Project for someone.
 

All,
I have not forgotton about this.  It is just that currently the firefly centre plate will not fully retract into the centreboard box.
The Firefly centre plate is aproximately 8.5mm thick and the N12 slot is about 12mm thick at the back of the case.  So it was always going to be a tight fit.
Add in blobs of paint and sealant and you will very quickly jam the thicker plate.  Which is what has happened to me.
What I need to do is to remove my slot gasket and carefully clean the slot before I try again. 
On the plus side I have just ordered a poly-cotton Firefly cover for my vintage National 12, saving me £40 or £50, having tried a Firefly cover first of course.
Cheers

Just found this boat on the interweb....She looks in excellent order and well equiped. 
She is for sale at http://www.andyseedhouseboats.co.uk/sales/boatlist2008.php?cat=4
Here are some pictures:
 

Here is a comparison of the Firefly Centre Plate and the steel Plate out of my National 12 (Planet 672 -1948 ). 
The overall length is the same.
The slot has the same angle and depth.
The width at the widest point is the same.
The Alloy plate is less that 2/3s the weight of the steel plate.
However my steel plate is very much more tapered down its length. 
Also the top edge of the board is also at a different angle
Is this the correct shape?
The centreboard case looks, at first glance, to be able to accomodate the Firefly plate.  But I have not tried it yet.
Either way I would be reluctant to chop too much off the Firefly plate, as it would be more likely to bend...... 
 

Will a firefly centre plate fit a National 12?
It would be too much good luck as I have just been offered one .....
 

Had out first sail of Planet last night - between rain squals.  Unfortunatly the heavy rain stole most of the wind...Ho-hum!  However we are starting a list the list of mods.  Some of which are just make and mend.  The wooden mast was fine though.
but I have to say that the heavy galvanized steel plate was a bit of a pig to raise.  It certainly is heavy.  It dropped well enough!
I am thinking of swapping to an alluminium plate.  I understand that later classic boats went to an Ally plate.  Or is that Fireflies?
The slot in the case is quite thin, so I do not think I would get in a wooden one in, that would be thick enough.
Cheers
Steve

Having recently aquired Planet 672 with a deck stepped wooden mast and boom, I was wondering of it was possible to source a second hand aluminium mast (for general knocking about) so that I can keep the wooden set-up (and cotton main) for those 'vintage' occasions.
The wooden mast does sit in a square bronze 'socket' on the deck, which will complicate things.
Cheers
Steve H

Planet has now moved from Cornwall back to Wiltshire/Gloucestershire border. 
She will be sailed by my son Chris and myself, when he lets me!  And when we are not sailing my 1959 Merlin Rocket, at South Cerney Sailing Club near Cirencester. 
The only National 12 in the village....And the oldest boat in the club.
Steve Hawkins

Lovely boat. 
I have just acquired Planet (672).  Hope to be sailing her this weekend for the first time - If my son lets me!
Cheers
Steve

Lovely to see the pictures of the vintage boats at Northampton.
Looking forward to picking her up on Monday - although it is a long drive.
Hopefully we will be sailing her by next weekend.
Cheers
Steve

Planet 672 - Holt 500 series (enhanced/other design?) built 1948.
I am in the process of buying this boat and bringing back to Wiltshire (South Cerney Sailing Club).  I pressed the 'buy it now' button on ebay.  Picking her up on Monday.
The boat is for my lad, who is getting too big for his Cadet (Oxo 2771).  However it will be run along side my 1959 Merlin Rocket and I am sure I will get to sail her as well.
I hope she will be active in the CVRDA circuit.
 
Cheers
Steve Hawkins

1376 is on ebay at the moment.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wooden-Sailing-Dingy-/130510307362?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET&hash=item1e63054022#ht_500wt_1156

I went to see it last night as there was some confusion as to what the boat was - original described as 15 ft, so could have been a Merlin of a similar vintage.....In theory.  This is what I think about her condition:

"I saw the Mk9 imposter tonight and she is indeed a nice old National 12 and she does have Dancing Girl written on the stern.  Or at least she would have been nice if not for her state.

She has no sails and no rudder, but there are 2 wooden booms and a Proctor mast with a wheely thing at the base for the kicker, just like my merlin 950 - only its complete. Standing rigging seems to be all there.

She needs a full redeck and gunnels.....No she needs to be put somewhere undercover for some months to dry out before you can ascertain the full extent of the water damage although I did not detect any soft spots low down in the hull. There is some rot at the bows just below the deck you can push you finger through - the top hull plank is rotten for the first foot of its length and the stem will have to be reglued as well.

On the plus side, you will probably get all the rest of the varnish off with a hair drier.....And since the deck will be comming off you will be easily able to do the front.

I personnally think she is just about redeemable, but will have to be a labour of love and you will not be sailing her this year. I also suspect it will cost you more than she'll ever be worth. But that is always par for the course - isn't it.

The boat is on a farm where it has been stored - It is being sold by the farm owners to try and recoup the owed 'ground rent' as they have not heard from the original owners for some time and the have certainly not paid thier storage - this accounts for the missing sails and rudder.

Steve Hawkins
_________________
Steve Hawkins
1959 Merlin Rocket 950 (Proctor MkVIII) "Desperation"
1956 Cadet mk2 2771 "OXO"
1984 VW T25 "Misguided Purchase"