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History of 42 as best I know it:

Currently owned by myself and sailed at Bough Beech SC in Kent. I've had her, if memory serves, for four years. My first, and only twelve and the best boat I've ever owned. Sailed for these four years mainly with my daughter Jackie crewing. She was on the stand at the dinghy exhibition in 2005.
Previous owner was Paul Griffiths who took it in part exchange for his Chapter from Rob Cannell who, I believe bought her from Tom Hayhoe - who, I think had her for about fifteen years. I know she was owned by Caroline Martin for a while as well - not sure before that.
She has had a couple of modifications since new: New C/b case and bouyancy tank under the mast fitted a couple of years ago when the old c/b case disintegrated. The hatchet c/b she originally had is long gone. Apart from that, she's largely unchanged from the original.
Results wise - it's fair to say, in spite of George's kind comments above, her best days/helms are behind her but she still does well at club level and at A/C level in various opens and can suprise the newer boats in the right weather. Her last B/W was 2003 at Looe - got somewhere in the 20s in a light week which was pretty good - 4th a/c boat.
I'd be interested to see any old pics/stories of her uploaded here. The only pic I have from before my time is in the Dorling Kindersly book of sailing (there's fame for you!)I'll add a couple of my own shortly.

Brian

Had a chat with the 5th place wayfarer guys when they came back from Starcross - they were nothing but complimentary about the 12s they saw (up till then their exposure to 12s was my old boat) and the folk they met.

Personally, a Waybarge isn't for me, but i must say a well sailed one is pretty quick round the track. I got thrashed out of sight by these guys on Saturday and nearly always have good races with them in the absence of other 12s (Stop press - Bough Beech fleet doubled! Wide Blue Yonder is now up here!!). I'm sure they'd be interested in sailing a 12 if they could - unfortunately Mike "heave my belly over the side when it's windy" Bryant just wouldn't fit on his own, let alone with his skipper!

W/F fleet is quality at the front end as well - a certain Mike Macnamara doesn't get it all his own way up there - obviously the time he spent in twelves has only served to help him sail these battleships faster.

I'll be race officering the Bough Beech Wayfarer Open next month - anyone with an ego over bruised by all the prejudiced waffle on the Wayfarer site can send a tenner witha suggestion of how the 12s can get their revenge and I'll be sure to act on it.

Fellow cheapskate .... 42 is having similar treatment soon.

I've had good success with single pack thinnned down 50/50 with white spirit (this was the international single pack cheap stuff). roller it on with a small foam roller to get it started then brush out the bubbles. Having it so thin means it smooths out really well and doesn't grab the bristles out of your brush (makes your eyes water, that does!). Gently rub down with wet 1000 grit between coats. Downside is lots of coats needed and watch out for dribbles!

A friend has a Pa*er which he did recently - got a truly fantastic finish on it with a brush. He hoisted it in the air and lay underneath it to paint - no bits of grit to worry about this way.

Obviously all the comments above about preparation apply

Good point .... In Kent. I'll get pictures today.

Hi,
My club is clearing out the boatpark and there's a 12 in the corner that is likely to be looking for a good home. As we haven't exhausted the process of releasing the boat yet, it wouldn't be right to give too many details about it yet save to say it's 1960 vintage Mark 9 (I think) and needs a restoration job on it, although first glance says that this is do-able. If it doesn't find a home it'll be going onto the bonfire, which would be a terrible shame. Any enthusiastic takers out there??

Brian

42 had a 'traditional' centre main set up when I bought her. The biggest problem I found with it was sailing inland on gusty days; the crew needs to move pretty sharply back and sideways and the mainsheet was just getting in the way. I tried transom style but got fed up with force of habit causing me to face the wrong way on crucial gybes. so, i went for the 'skiff style' set up and I'd swear by it...

Here here Ben!
Rebuilding is definitely better if you can do it.

hi Ben,
You would also be most welcome to come over to Bough Beech at some time. Not too far from Sevenoaks....

In fact we really should fix it up that the Bough Beech 'fleet' and Chipstead get together some time for a bit of friendly inter-club rivalry ...and I'm sure we could include Seasalter as well.

01732 351805 if you want a chat.

Brian

Great show! Jackie and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Well done and thanks to all who made it happen.

On the subject of building a new Cheshire Cat .... I am certain that there are dozens of old, unhappy Cheshire cats lying in deep puddles at sailing clubs across the country. Speaking as an amateur environmentalist who never likes to see good plywood go to waste, would rennovating an old one to 'as new' be en equally good/better bet? You could still do all the mods you want and I reckon it would be equally satisfying if a little messier when you're stripping all the old paint off.

Tom H says that 42 used to have a hatchet centreboard, but she's always had a pretty bog standard one as long as I've has her (now a rather warped, split and generally knackered, bog standard one).

This arm ...... does it pivot outside the centreboard case? ie is a hatchet more or less a daggerboard that swings in and out of the case ??

I get the impression from this forum that the c/b v d/b  debate has aroused much passion in the past and I'm nervous about re-awakening a sleeping giant with this thread...
B

Hi folks!
With winter coming on, I'm looking for an excuse to spend some time pottering in a warm garage and following an unfortunate incident with the trolley early this year a new centreboard is quite high up the wish list.

Before I start chopping bits of wood up ... some thoughts....

Using a widened top of the centreboard to fill the centreboard case when it's down (is this what's meant by the term 'hatchet centreboard'?); is it legal? Is it worth the effort? Does the extra bit get in the way when you come ashore?

your opinions would be welcome!

Merry christmas to you all and here's to a great 70th year!

Brian

Might be able to lend you Jackie for one or both - will check calendars etc to see ...

...and the prize for the most inappropriately named boat must surely go to Tim Laws!!! .

Second all of that .... and the sunshine looked marvellous reflecting off all those transoms ... :-/  

Will we see all those AC boats again at Notts I wonder???

An N12 sailor of great repute is nearer to you than you might think ... I'm sure if he browses this forum, he'll be in touch with you and only too happy to talk dirty about 12s and hopefully convince you and your wife that there really is nothing better ...