N3109 Gnasher

[National 12 Webmaster]

The life of N3109 Gnasher. Design: Pipedream, designed by: Robert Peebles in 1976

[Tim Gatti]

N3109 'Gnasher' was one of several Pipedreams built by Donald Acklam in the 1970's and 80's.Its beautifully crafted, curving thwart is a key feature of his handiwork. After many years away, she eventually returned to her original home - Yeadon SC where, unfortunately, less caring owners neglected to look after her and she fell into a bad state of disrepair.

In 2003, I pursuaded the owner, who was by then unable to sell her, to let me have her as a restoration project. I approached Donald, now in his 80's and still a member at the Club,for help and he eventually agreed - after much pursuasion, to give his time and expertise to bringing her back to life. She dried out in storage for nearly three years whilst Donald completed a number of other projects and we started work on her in June 2006.

The majority of the work on the hull and decks was carried by late November that year. Unfortunately - it was to be the last project Donald was to work on as, sadly, he passed away in early December. I completed the renovation in mid-June and hope that the end result is a fitting tribute to the man who gave so much to the Class and to Yeadon Sailing Club and to all who knew him. He is much missed.

[THG]

WOW!  How to Look Good Naked or what!!

[martin 1262]

She looks fabulous, would she be looking for a new home, or has she found her keeper!

Are there any more photos? Will she be on the open vintage/4 plank circuit?

Martin

[Tim Gatti]

Here's a b&w pic of Gnasher being sailed by Donald at Yeadon circa 1981 before he sold her to Ian Escritt.

Sorry Martin - I'm hanging onto her after all that hard work and should be sailing in some of the events later this summer when I'm not out with the Vintage fleet in N341.

[Tim Gatti]

Due to continuing pressures of Vintage fleet renovation and sailing plus the usual family and work commitments, 'Gnasher' has now gone to a new home in France where she will be cared for and sailed by her new owners Rod and Johanna Andrew-Becker. They already own two vintage Merlins and two OK's, which Rod has beautifully restored, and were looking for a two-hander with character that didn't require a spinnaker.  Since a lot of their European sailing is on inland lakes, the Pipedream design seemed an ideal choice.  I'm thrilled she has gone to such a good home where she will regularly sailed and expertly maintained.  Good luck Rod and Jo - soon to be new N12 association members.

[Rod and Jo]

 
[face=Souvenir Lt BT]I’m English; Jo(hanna) is German. We live in N. France, close to the border with Belgium, where I have worked for over 30 years,- welcome to Europe! We sail Merlins and OK Dinghies, which latter we campaign on the European club circuit. Neither us nor our boats are the youngest; I worked out that in 2007 the combined age of us and our OK’s went over the two centuries mark![/face]
 
[face=Souvenir Lt BT]We were attracted to the N12 class since Jo gets osteoporosis in the neck and has trouble keeping her eye on the spinny in the Merlin,- hence a  2 sail boat of ‘standing’.  Tim had done an amazing restoration job on Gnasher; the only things we have changed are the tranny flaps & repainted name. Jo’s verdict first time out was, ’what a wonderful little boat!’, with which I concur, though just as challenging,- and rewarding,- to sail as the Merlin. [/face]
 
[face=Souvenir Lt BT]Gnasher atracts a lot of interest at our club, where the editor of Yachting Sud has asked me to write a piece on the N12 class(in french);- I previously did one for Merlins.[/face]
 
[face=Souvenir Lt BT]We are very happy to be in the class, and have plans to come over to the UK when work obligations permit;- probably means when retired, but not too far away.[/face]
 
Rod & Jo Andrew-Becker, 1, Chemin de la Noire Femme, Taisnières s/Hon, F-59570; Tel +33 327 68 81 35.
 

 

[Chris Troth]

We found a photo of 3109 in a cupboard at OMSC. We know who the helm is...but not the crew! Will get it scanned in and online soon.

[Chris Troth]

[Tim Gatti]

Some additional before and after shots of the restoration of 'Gnasher' in 2007

[Tim Gatti]

and from astern...