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Southwater Dabblers
                                               Email Updates

Email Update Number 4 – January 2021
Welcome to the 4th of these trial email updates. I am really pleased that so many of you have taken the
time to make contact, both by phone and email, to share your stories, since it those shared stories that are
making these updates so interesting. If you would like to share your storey please email your photos,
suggestions and articles to dave.steggles@gmail.com or Tel 07934758623 and talk to me about your story
for inclusion on these pages.

By complete chance and coincidence three separate Dabblers have emailed details about Motor Torpedo
Boats for inclusion in the newsletter, thank you. That gave me the idea or was it the excuse to add some
information about a Stuart Turner Motor Torpedo Boat steam engine that I have been renovating.

Now please be patient with me, I am having to finalise this update on my daughter’s laptop since my
computer has crashed and died so with limited access to my emails, this update is going to be shorter than
it otherwise would have been. As a result, there are some contributions that I have received that I am not
able to include this time round so please do accept my apologies, they will be in next time. As it happens,
we were really lucky not to have lost the whole newsletter. Anyway, many of you have been receiving your
COVID vaccinations and are looking forward to a time when we can sail again, so please put the 8th Feb in
your diary for the next Tabletop Regatta and send your photos to dave.steggles@gmail.com

Be-calmed – Tails of sail
Model Yacht Racing at Southwater
Country Park by Richard Bailey

Before the COVID-19 virus shut down our boating
activities at Southwater Country Park the Yacht
racing sailors of the Dabblers had an active
calendar of events. Most Wednesday morning a
racing event for a designated class of boat was
undertaken. These events were well attended,
and a full year’s programme was organised and
undertaken. The onset of mass vaccination for
COVID-19 gives the hope that we may be able to
start up group events such as Yacht racing again
later this year, so I have been asked by some,
“what is this Yacht racing all about”? My following
comments may help to enlighten you and perhaps
interest you in joining us to have a go.

Model Yacht racing was certainly an organised           International One Metre Yacht Racing
activity from 1920 onwards in the UK with boats
being free sailed across suitable waters. The
gentleman Edwardian owner, typically attired in         Video links to Dabblers racing Yachts
tweed jacket, plus fours and using a Mahogany
boating pole with polished brass hook would set         Ron passing the fleet!!
up the boat. His helper possibly, the family coach
                                                        https://youtu.be/cWOZyWPYBvY
man or chauffeur would be sent to the other side
of the water and turn the boat round to be sent         Dabblers playing rough - One Metre Yayct
back.                                                   racing at Southwater
No Radio Control was available and the skill was        https://youtu.be/QMqVFSLBpQA
in setting up the boat to sail a straight course.
The variations in wind influenced the course
actually sailed so steering systems were
developed to give the boat some automatic
rudder always very close with the trim to varying
wind strength. By mid-nineteen forties such
mechanical systems as Vane and Braine were
developed. These were complicated to home
construct and expensive to buy and tricky to set
up. During this period the Yachts were very much
based on full size designs influenced by American
Cup J class. Planked on frame hulls using hard
woods and of considerable size. With ballast over
30 lbs in weight. Another reason to have a
chauffeur to carry the boat.

I can remember as a child in the fifties watching
such sailing being carried out at Hove Lagoon by
what I now assume were A class yachts. With the
right wind they could sail the long length of the     Free Sailing Yachts – no radio control
main water in pairs. I thought they were very
exciting to watch. They went at good speed,
certainly faster than most chauffeurs today can
run. With a quick turn around and minor
adjustments sail back. The finishing was best
within a boat length of each other.

Early radio control gear was very bulky and
expensive. Some boffin types built their own and
fitted it to purpose made large yachts. As early

radio gear only worked on one frequency there
was no possibility of racing two boats together. In
the seventies Radio Control with spot frequencies
became available and set off the explosion of R/C
activity we have today.

New materials started replacing traditional wood
structures enabling smaller and lighter boats to
be designed widening the appeal to many more
people. Boats come in all shapes and size so to
make racing competitive specifications for various
classes of boats have been agreed and specified.
This is much the same as the formula rules for
motor racing i.e., F1. All cars are subject to the
same specifications, but some are faster than
others. For model yacht racing an organisation
called The Model Yachting Association (MYA)
controls all Yacht racing in the UK. This group
also sets and controls all recognised classes of
boat. For racing at Dabblers club events
affiliation to the MYA is not required. However, if
you want to sail away at other clubs’ affiliation
may be required and can be arranged for a small
separate fee to the MYA. At the Dabblers we
organised racing for the following classes.

IOM International One Metre

Boats up to 1 metre hull length. Boats sold
complete fully rigged and with 3 sets of sails. Can
be very expensive class but many buy a hull and
build their own rigs but usually purchase sails. A
good starting point can be to buy a second-hand
boat and treat it to a new set of sails. The sails
are your engine. Boats can be home built, plans
available for competitive boats from the internet
and a balsa planked hull with fibreglass and resin
coated hull can build to a competitive boat
regarding weight. The design of the boats and
sails are covered by a detailed set of
specifications covering all aspects of the boat       International One Metre
from dimensions to materials allowed in
construction.

DF 95 Dragon Flight

Boats sold as a kit that only requires minor
assembly and rigging. Hull 950mm long. Made
from ABS plastic and should not be modified. An
excellent starter boat to racing but also in its own
right a good boat for all to sail. A Cheap solution
to good racing. Boats must be maintained to the
original specification and design of components as
supplied in the original kit
and then turning back to the start line

                                                       DF 95 Dragon Force

DF 65 Dragon Force

Same comments as 95 but boat only 650 mm long,
but cheaper. With the DF65 we also race a boat
called the Fiesta which is a similar size.
Any type of yacht can be sailed on the water, but
the above is the classes for which we last
organised racing events. Before any racing can
take place a course to race around is needed.
A course is defined by putting out buoys to sail
around in order. For many a simple straight up
and down course is sufficient. Such a course
starts into wind by tacking up wind by a series of
zig zags to the windward buoy. Go around that
and come back running before the wind to a line
at the start. Another very popular variation is the
triangular which starts by going up wind to the
windward buoy and then turning port or starboard
and running to a wing buoy so forming a triangle
shape. A good course should test the boat and
skipper on all points of sailing ability. Course
layout is dependent on wind direction, space
availability of the water.

What we do.

 A mornings racing is typically as follows. The
class to be raced is pre - designated in the racing    DF 65 Dragon Force
calendar. We meet at Southwater Lake with a few
organisers arriving from 8-00 am and put out a
course defined by marker buoys with a start line
and a finish line, often one line being used for
both purposes. Courses with into wind starts and
finishes are best and often possible at
Southwater. Most skippers will then be arriving in
the car park and assembling and trimming boats.
The usual banter and comments being made, and

the keener ones will have boats in the water
doing their final trimming to the prevailing
conditions. On arrival to the jetty skippers should
sign in to the OOD (officer of the Day) and have
boats in the water for a start at 9-30 am.

When racing is to start, we group our boats in the
water behind the start line and jostle each other
to get the best start we can to a timed count
down and respecting the rules of racing. The first
buoy to be rounded is usually windward of the
start line and a good distance away. It is
impossible to sail directly into wind. Boats have
to get to and round the windward buoy by a
series of tacks to port and or starboard so making
the characteristic zig zag course up to the buoy
and round it to set off to the next wing buoy to
the port or starboard depending on the layout.
The skill of the skipper is put to the test when zig
zagging up wind in judging position of his boat to
others as the rule of a port tack boat giving way
to a boat on starboard tack plays a prominent
part in getting to the buoy first. Also, the
pointing ability, i.e., the ability of the boat to
sail almost directly into wind is also important
which can be result of boat design, or a factor of
how good the skipper trimmed the boat to the
conditions before the start or how well the
skipper can sail the boat.

The turn at the windward buoy usually starts with
running across wind with developing to downwind
at the turn of the wing buoy going to cross
running and up to the start. All the time the rules
of sailing must be observed but basically you will
not touch any other boat with yours or touch any
buoy and pass the correct side of all buoys in the
correct direction and order. You will not cut
others up at buoys or turns and obey priority
others may have over you. If you do break a rule
you are required as soon as possible to complete
a full 360 degree turn without impeding any
other. So, after the first race you then do it all
over again for anything up 15/16 times, but most
people find 12 or so races enough. Usually, a
break for coffee at about half time. Boat
adjustments can be made when you want but
races do not have to be delayed and can be
started without you if you have a boat failure
which will take more than a couple of minutes to
fix. You can re-join when repaired but will get
maximum points against you as a nonstarter or
non-finisher for missed or not finishing a race.
Racing is usually completed by 1-00pm and the
buoys returned to the container. On some
selected days during the year, we put on less
formal racing when the racing is undertaken
without scoring but still expect the rules to be
applied.

Hot & Bothered
Getting Steamed Up

Steam Edwardian Launch Build by Eddie
Burroughes

I wanted to build a steam launch as I had a spare
Boiler, so looking at plans on the market which
there are a few I then decided fibreglass would be
best option for me, I decided on Orion mouldings
Edwardian steam Launch it is a really nice hull it
came with a scale suggested plan which I decided
not to use as I knew what I wanted the boat to look
like. As I am using a gas 230 gas cartridge, I first
installed a gas shut off valve operated by radio
which I use in my other steamboat Zulu, apart from
the prop shaft, radio etc everything else I made
including the Rudder made from Perspex, the arm
from an old toothbrush handle.

The steam engine is a Libre kit from Clevedon
Steam which I had to assemble, it was not too
difficult, the Engine and Cheddar Boiler are
mounted on a Stainless-Steel plate connected to a
brass rudder with a rather long prop shaft.

Libra Vertical Boiler - Boiler height 155 mm, Boiler
diameter 90 mm Weight working 2.9 kg, Volume full
650 ml

Libra Engine - This Twin Cylinder Inline Double
Acting Oscillating Engine has a Bore of 7/16"/11mm
and a Stroke of 7/16"/11mm. It will turn a propeller
with a maximum diameter of 3"/75mm and power a
boat with a maximum displacement of around
40lbs/18kg. Width 2 3/4"/70mm, Height 3
1/4"/80mm, Length 3 1/4"/80mm
Max working pressure 45psi/3bar

All the finished decking etc is mahogany strip on ply
the caulking effect is achieved by clamping 10 strips
together and then sticking black paper to the edge,
when dry cut apart each plank. The canopy is posts
ply top with a fabric top made by my wife. Due to
the present pandemic, I have yet to try the boat on
the water so have that to look forward to, the
steam plant however has had a few runs and is fine.

Stuart MTB 180 (1B) Steam Engine – Dave Steggles

As some of you already know I am keen to learn about steam and one of the best ways I have found is to do
this in a practical way, so I have bought some old steam engines, boilers and boats to learn from. Since a
large portion of this newsletter is devoted to torpedo boats, I thought I would share with you this Stuart
steam engine, it was designed for installation in models of fast motor torpedo boats and torpedo boat
destroyers that were popular in the early 1900’s. It is the Stuart MTB 180 or 1B and it was made between
1910 and 1914. The first picture is as I got it, the second shows the bevel gear drive to the timing and slide
valve. Now the eagle eyed among you will have spotted straight away that this engine will not run-on steam
or compressed air because the two bevel gears have differing numbers of teeth and as a result the timing
would only be right one in five revolutions.

These next photos show the dismantling of the valve cover and you will see that the screws holding the
cylinder head to the cylinder block have been previously sheared off, so another problem. After a bit of old
fashioned bodgery I managed to remove the broken screws, next problem, identify the threads? They
turned out to be 3/32 Whitworth, very old and uncommon. Any way a fellow from France, Phil, had some in
his steam collection, he kindly sent enough to me for the valve cover and cylinder head. You can also see
that this engine, unusually for model steam engines has a wet sump, meaning the crank shaft splashes in
the oil to provide lubrication to the crank shaft bearing surfaces and the lower section of the cylinders.

This engine is made from cast iron, it has a ¾ inch bore and a ¾ inch stroke, it’s a twin cylinder, single
acting engine. It was designed for racing with flash steam boilers and for ordinary boilers. The pistons and
cylinders are made of a fine grade cast iron so can withstand the very high temperatures and pressures
involved with flash steam.

The engine has no gaskets and the crankshaft runs on the cast iron sump. There is no way of checking the
oil level or for filling it with oil without separating the cylinder block from the sump. It appears that after a
few runs on flash steam the sump was removed and the oil replaced. The oil used in the sump is a light
engine oil, not a heavy steam oil.

I degreased the engine components and set about cleaning them up. My aim was for a sympathetic
restoration, retaining as many original parts as possible and getting the engine to run once more under
steam.

I researched the grooves in the pistons, they turned out to be grooves to carry oil to lubricate the upper
section of the cylinder walls and piston. Steam from the boiler passes through a displacement oiler, the oil
from the oiler is then carried as a mist by the steam into the valve chest where it forms an emulsion to
lubricate the slide valve and then on into the cylinders and the pistons. The emulsion lubricates and helps
seal the piston in the bore minimising steam leakage past the piston to the sump. The grooves are therefore
not for piston rings as I first though they might be.

As the crankshaft rotates, it turns a bevel gearset and the gearset turns the shaft that runs up the outside
of the engine, transmitting its rotary motion to the top of the engine. Here the rotary movement is
converted into a linear back and forward movement, to operate the slide valve that lets the steam into
each piston in turn. The mechanism that that converts the rotary motion into linear motion is called a
Scotch crank, which when running is mesmerising to watch.

Now the next problems were to find some replacement bevel gears and to find out the settings for the
timing, so the slide valve opens to let steam into the bores. Firstly, I found some Meccano gears and whilst
they did fit, the looked awful and the angle of the bevel was wrong, so whilst they would have worked,
they were not right. An internet search revealed a UK supplier of bevel gears with a 4mm hole in them. As
it turned out the end of the crank was machined to a strange size 0.163 inches, so the gear would not go on
to it. I ordered a 0.163-inch drill bit to enlarge the hole in one of the gears and all was well, a nice snug fit.
A fellow from Scotland, George, helped out with the timing, suggesting it may be the same as the later
Stuart Sun engine. So, with the engine fully assembled I set the timing as described and tried to run it on
air from my airbrush compressor. With a mere 7psi (the best my compressor would achieve), the engine
spun into life, I was well chuffed. My next issue was to find a boiler that I could use on the bench to
provide enough steam for this engine. Just before lock down I had a boiler tested for another boat that I
am renovating, so knowing it was safe to use, I made a temporary rig to an oiler and on to the engine with
silicon tubing. Here is a link to a video of the engine running fast on steam https://youtu.be/abuFc46Ce2o

Grey Funnel Line
        Dabblers Warships from around the World.

Now the eagle eyed among you will have noticed that
the title of this page has changed, this is in response
to Dabbler requests and feedback.

By the way of an amazing coincidence, three
separate Dabblers have submitted articles for
inclusion here on Motor Torpedo Boats – MTB’s and I
happen to know that other dabblers also have MTB’s
that will hopefully appear here in the future.

Brave Borderer – Derek Palmer

Having written bits n pieces for the Dabblers web
pages over the last year about this boat some
members will be familiar with this model. I was
friendly over many years with a professional model
maker. Len Bush and I attended a number of model
shows and exhibited at Sandown, Plumpton and a
couple of times at Merstham. Len also exhibited at
Brighton &, Crystal Palace on his own. Len lived a full
life and when he passed away, I was fortunate
enough to be given Brave Borderer.

Brave Borderer was built as the prototype for an
example model for I believe Kingston Models. As built
originally it was powered by a four stroke IC engine,
but this had insufficient power and later was fitted
with a glow engine. It was used for many years very
successfully. Anyone familiar with these power units
know how noisy and dirty they were. I have spent
many hours degreasing the now solidified oils on the
internal and external surfaces a job which is nearing
completion now. I had a couple of test runs last year
(remember when we could go boating?) not really
successful as the hull had dried out and had several
leaks in the bow area. It seemed that this was the
end of its running time due to the bow construction
being impossible to reach inside. I was then advised
of a miracle product called “Captain Tolley’s leak
remedy” This did the trick it seems. Work continues
when the weather improves. The shed is warm, but
all the tools are flipping cold.

Video Links to Brave Borderer

A model of Brave Borderer at high speed – soon this
is how Derek’s boat will be performing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2FxmJ20mkk

This is the real Brave Borderer in action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd2aG8K_W50

A longer film of the real Brave Borderer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJNVcKb9AQ

Brief outline of Brave Borderer

Built by Vosper’s in the late 50s it came into service
in 1960

Dimensions: 114 tons with length over all of 90ft (27
metres)

Beam:25ft 6ins (7.7 metres)

Speed: Over 50 knots (63mph) The fastest warship at
the time in service.

Propulsion: 2x Rover auxiliary Gas Turbine Turbo
generators 3x Bristol Porteous Marine Gas Turbines
10,500 Bhp (7830kW)

Complement :20 comprising Officers 17 ratings.

Armament: 2x40mm Bofors plus 4 x 21in Torpedo’s.

Although successful these craft were quickly
superseded by missile carrying vessels which made
the need for speed obsolete.

                                                         Engine Room of Brave Borderer

MTB49 – By Peter Piccolo

This model is still a work in progress, the construction is all ply and parts are made by me lots of fretwork
the torpedo tubes were a real challenge, almost as difficult as the boat. The Hull is clad in fibre and resin
coated inside and out. At the moment it is in grey primer awaiting better weather to paint the main bits.
Lights and portholes plus life belts, brass rails, rigging and safety wires all still to be fitted.

Details length 36.5 ins, Beam 8.5", Depth 4"

Twin electric engines speed 600, LIPO BATTERY 3 cell 2200, Twin screw and rudders

MTB 385 1:24 Scale – By Eddie Burroughes

I purchased this model from a member of the Crowborough MBC who lived just outside Maidstone in Kent
some years ago. It was in good condition apart from the motor and radio system, so I fitted a new motor
which was recommended by Deans Marine the makers of the kit the boat was made from. I also fitted a new
speed controller, radio receiver, etc, and used the boat a lot however the motor did not last and burnt out
at Southwater melting the universal joint onto the propshaft, Keith Wright gave me a motor which lasted a
number of years. When I bought the model the deck colour was light blue which was quite nice but doing
research on the original 385 MTB which the model is based, I found it was built in 1945 and was a North Sea
boat crewed by RNVR officers, so I contacted Deans Marine and they told me the correct colour by Humbrol
so the model has had a complete repaint and also a sound unit fitted, as you can see, its plains quite nicely
through the water the kit is still available from Deans marine.

MTB 385 was one of the third series of M.T.B.s that entered service in 1944 and differed from earlier boats
in having four torpedo tubes instead of two mounted on a flush deck. They had a compliment of 13 men
and carried 3 Packard engines as a powerplant. Easily reaching 35 knots gave the craft the edge over many
attacking vessels. They were well armed for their size, carrying a twin 20mm Oerlikon. Four 21” torpedo
tubes, two twin 303 Lewis guns and two rocket flare launchers.

Your Build
                    Aeronaut Princess by John
                                   Shoesmith

My intention was to build a 1:8 scale from plan
during this Winter. After considering the possibility
of another lockdown, and the ability to procure all
the raw materials, I elected to build this Aeronaut
Princess Kit. The Princess is a model of a typical
Italian Riva sports boat designed and built during
the 1950 to 1960’s. This kit is an all-wood
construction with a hard chine hull, a plywood and
mahogany veneered construction. All the wooden
parts were prefabricated, laser-cut or die-cut, and
only required some minor sanding and occasional
trimming to obtain a neat and final fit. The kit
came with a thick cardboard sheet to use as a jig,
for the initial component positioning and
construction.

I would not say it was an easy build, with quite a bit
of bending of chine stringers, and the plywood
cladding. Rather than steaming these long pieces of
wood, I found soaking them in household ammonia
softened the wood enough to bend them easily and
get the right profile. Once dried the wood retained
its strength in the required shape, which made the
construction much easier. Before assembling the
plywood, hull and deck I applied several coats of
sanding sealer to all the die cut parts, which
certainly helped with the construction, the final
varnish and painting. Although the kit contents
should have included all the fittings and propeller
shaft, I elected to install some of my personal
preferences which made it unique, and still within
keeping of the model. During final finishing I found
the seat foam and leather material provided did not
look as neat as I hoped, so purchased additional
material using a thinner and more dense foam which
improved the cosmetic look of the seats.

Pleased with the finish after not having much else
to do for the past 5 weeks. After a long soak in the
bath, no leaks found, and everything functioned as
planned. Now looking forward to its first outing on
the lake

Model Specifications:
Length: 950mm
Width: 315mm
Motor: 600 Brushless MX1S600, 1400kv motor.
ESC: Hydra 50 G2
Propeller: 45mm Brass Three Blade
Battery: Possibly 7.4v LiPo (to be confirmed once on
the water)

Jester - by Steve Charnley

The deck is 3 mm mahogany and cedar over ply.

Jester is a 6M yacht, which is from a John Lewis design called Petrel. I have modified the hull shape around
the rudder post exit position, to simplify the below water line planking and have renamed it Jester. The
picture below indicates my progress as @ 18.04.2017. Looks more like a dinosaur skeleton which has lost its
head? 57” long.

Progress as @ 28.04.2017 there are now eight 6mm planks on each side, it’s starting to look more like a
hull.

The picture below indicates part of my progress post planking and sanding, joints are close and dark keel
line looks relatively straight.

My six metre was developing well in January. Then one afternoon it just over balanced and fell off the
building table. A few slammed doors, threats of divorce and tears, some sticks and glue, a few ideas from
Clive and I am now back on Track

Some gentle sanding and shaping, glass and resin it’s unlikely to notice, after painting. Just means it will be
painted below the waterline now rather than the ebonising I was planning.

January 2021 - This project has been going for some time. I decided in lock down to build up a proper
documented diary and building record to record its progress, lots of words pages and pictures. If I ever get
it finished, I’ll let you read a copy, it will be brilliant if you are an insomniac. The boat is named ‘Jester’,
based on a John Lewis 1990 design called ‘Petrel’. So not-the lightest, not the fastest but very satisfying
especially in the lockdown. The boat choice was taken as a challenge, having built an IOM Britpop in wood
from scratch, this was the next step up the ladder. It is 100% scratch built, from spruce, mahogany and
cedar, and ply.

Unfortunately, for me it’s too easy to buy what I call airfix boats, which can sail from the day it arrives, but
there really is no better satisfaction and nothing like building from scratch whether it takes a day or a few
years. The original hobby skills we developed are diminishing, it would be good to see more younger
members having ago, there must be a few hundred years of experience in the club to support those wishing
to have a go, but I guess there’s a feeling of potential ridicule, or leaking! Scratch building can be
economically better than any kit as you buy what you need as it develops and grows, and you select the
timber quality, not just try to use what’s provided in the box.

Table Top Regatta
The idea of this event was to hold a table top Regatta, to create a chance to get our boats out and enjoy
them, so here for your viewing pleasure are fellow Dabblers pride and joys out on the table.

                                                                           Steve Charnley 6 metre yacht

                                                                            Peter Picollo Police Launch

                                                                           Derek Palmer Brave Borderer

Eddie Burroughes – What Larks

Dave Steggles – Lady Sarah

Peter Piccolo – Miranda

Memories from Yesteryear

Alan Colson tried to find out more about the Bletchley park Challenges for us all to enjoy and has shared
some of his other memories – Thank you Alan

Hi David, I have searched through my marine modelling mags from June to December 2000 without success,
if you can find anyone with copies of model boats you may have more chance as Dave Brumstead used to
travel to as many shows as he could to do reports for the magazine.
Leighton Buzzard mbc were the host club and Bletchley park was at the time their home water, I think
there were 6 or 7 boats entered, as for the clubs, I’m not certain, possibly Luton, Stevenage, Northampton,
Letchworth as they were the most local clubs, the dabblers certainly travelled the greatest distance. I
can’t help with this story anymore, sorry.

So many things have of course gone on over the years, many shows have been visited by myself and others,
some members visited Margam Park in South Wales, two other events visited were the Swansea held in the
Maritime Museum, another in Cardiff, for many years members visited the festival of the sea in Southend,
more local events included Crawley MBC steering events, Worthing Society of Model Engineers show at the
Engineerium, Bluewater shopping centre was another venue sailed by some of us, Brighton Model World,
sailing at Eastbourne, steering at Swiss Cottage in Shoreham, Elmbridge was visited on a few occasions and
two other shows attended by quite a few of the members was The Cuckoo Fayre and The Country Show,
both at Laughton near Ringmer. A few village fetes have been attended; Leonardslee Gardens held a couple
of weekends before it was sold. Many a happy time has been had at these shows, some for weekends
staying in B&B’s, others in the early days in in tents, or even sleeping in the backs of cars and vans, others
in caravans, and of course day trips.

Southend, Bluewater, Cardiff and Swansea all tended to be a drain on the pocket as the wives of members
tagged along and went on shopping sprees whilst we sailed our boats and if we did B&B’s they wanted
feeding in the evening as well. Good times really. Alan Colson.

2004 Barge Pull – Reproduced from the Dabblers Newsletter and newspaper cuttings sent in.
The Dabblers towed a 10-ton barge with their model tugs, they included Alan Woodroffe with a Twin screw
Portgarth tug, Burt Rayworth with a twin screw Portgarth tug, Mike Leppard with Lady Jan tug single screw,
and Peter Watts with an Eldergarth single screw tug

On the 18th September 2004, 13 Dabblers turned up with their tugs along with supporters to tow the
Zacharia Keppel, a ten-ton Narrow Boat along the Wey and Arun Canal from the lock to the Onslow arms.
They were assisted by Andy Baldwin and his son Jamie in the Rescue Boat. The main wooden spar was
hooked up to the Narrow Boat and then linked up to the four tugs at the front. Once the boat was out of
the lock other tugs came in to push from behind. With plenty of tugs this was done by pairing the tugs up
and having one off the Narrow Boat. About halfway along they ran into trouble at the front the wooden
spar fell foul of a log (not a scale log either) All was resolved with one tug taking up the strain and just
keeping the rope taut whilst more tugs came in behind. It had turned out to be a lovely morning and there
were plenty of spectators.

Scrap Heap Challenge - Guess the Year and Name the winner?

If you remember this event, we would love to hear your story and to see your photos.

Dabblers Open Day 2010

Here is a video link to the 2010 Dabblers Open Day to raise money for the Air Ambulance – it’s a just over
four-minute wander down memory lane and one of the first models you will see is that fabulous Aircraft
Carrier (would love to see it written up as a Dabbler Trumps Card) featured in the last update, also some
stunning photos of steam and sail, looks to have been a very well supported event.
https://youtu.be/karmMRlZjYg

Miranda – By Colin Rist

(Previously published in the Dabblers January 2018 Newsletter)

This is "Miranda". She was built about 40 years ago by my late father-in-law. She is now something of a
family heirloom and I am the current guardian. He built her from plans published by Basil Harley in 1930s.
Harley's design was based on "Waterlily", a Thames steam launch built for the Thornycroft family.
"Waterlily" is now in the National Maritime Museum at Falmouth. The engine is older than the boat and is
quite rare. It is a Bowman Bryant 2-cylinder, non-oscillating, valveless steam engine. The designer Bryant
did not like oscillating steam engines, because he thought they were messy. He got around the problem of
valves by having the piston connecting rods eccentric, so that the piston rotated slightly in the cylinder.
This allowed ports in the piston and cylinder to allow the input and discharge of steam. It is still going
strong after 60 years.

Competition Time –
Spot the Boat

Have decided to let this spot the boat competition run for a while longer to allow for more entries. For
those of you that have already submitted entries, one is fairly close, the rest were quite a way off, so here
is your chance to enter or to submit another closer entry.

Whilst sailing the Lady Sarah late in November, a story about the swans practicing their take offs was told
to me; now a fellow Dabbler has sent in a photo of the event and set a challenge of getting the image
altered to remove the boat so that we could enjoy a bit of fun and competition – spot the boat?

Well, here is the outcome and thank you for suggesting the competition and for providing the photo, it is
appreciated.

Email dave.steggles@gmail.com with the square or squares where you think the boat should be, eg 1A

You are playing for fun and bragging rights only!

Caption Competition

Following feedback that it would be better if the caption phot was placed in the competition section so
that it is easier to find, we will keep this caption competition running till next time, email your witty
captions and photo suggestions for the next competition to dave.steggles@gmail.com for the photo below.

What is it?     Email answers to dave.steggles@gmail.com

Also email your photo suggestions for use in a future what is it? competition.

Naughty Buoy

A Navy Commander was upset with his son's
report card. All the subjects e.g., shooting,
strategy and tactics get terrible grades except
Math which has an A. The Navy Commander said,
'Kids these days spent more time dividing than
conquering'.

One day while on leave from the Navy, a lonely
man went into a bar. He was talking to this
beautiful woman and asked to take her home
with him and she agreed. During sex they guy
looks down at her and asks, "How am I doing?" He
asks, she looks at him and says, "About three
knots" Confused the man asks, "What do you
mean?" She says, "You're KNOT hard, KNOT
pleasuring, and you're KNOT getting your money
back."

What is the difference between Trump and a
flying pig?

                                     The letter F

What did Trump rename the Presidential plane?

                                  Hair Force One!

Joe Biden wants to ban the sale of pre shredded
cheese.

          He wants to make America grate again.

Donald Trump’s medical records were just
released. According to the brain scan, the left
side of his brain has nothing right, while the
right side has nothing left.

Why was the footballer upset on their birthday?
They got a red card!

What do you call someone who stands inside
goalposts and stops the ball rolling away?
Annette!

England are playing Iceland tomorrow. If they
win that game, they’ll play Tesco’s next
Saturday and then Asda on Wednesday.