Other Projects
CLASSIC SHAKESPEARE SPEED BOAT
This project was a barn find on the shores of Blessington Lakes, Co. Wicklow in 2007. Obtained as a ‘future’ project it is now fully restored. The motor, a mid-eighties Mercury 50hp, 2 stroke, has all new electronics. There are new seats and the deck fittings, made of bronze, have been treated with bronze powder pigmented epoxy for a permanent, no-maintenance finish. Christened ‘70’s MAGIC’ it is a head turner and useful for chasing and capturing the action on the water as well as being good fun. Designed in the seventies this is probably a mid-eighties version having a false power bulge and simulated vents in the foredeck.
DETAILS
The restoration required no significant hull repair other than fibre glassing holes made in the transom and minor grazing. New multiflex bronze tinted screen split with stainless struts and penny washers. The motor wiring had been damaged by vermin. New solid state CDI unit, HT coils, magneto (non-charging), trigger, plugs, starter solenoid. Starter also restored. Launch / recovery road trailer made to fit with the axle weight allowing manual lifting of the tow hitch.
International Dragon
This project has been in the yard for some while and is about to get all the attention once others near completion. Built in 1965 at Bremen by Abeking & Rasmussen in mahogany on oak. The dead wood is essentially sound as are the keel bolts. The laminated oak scantlings require complete replacement and there are some bad joints on the sheer line. Recently acquired a boom in Burnham -on-Crouch in Essex which travelled to Duarnenez, NW France, for the 2023 Grand Prix and subsequently smuggled into Ireland on one of the Irish boats. A good suit of sails was donated through the Dragon Association.
International Tempest
Documents which came with this project show this boat as the Irish contender in the 1972 Olympics for Ireland at Kiel, Germany. These include certification of production and a letter from Ian Proctor to an earlier owner in Waterford in the 70's. A challenge to sail single handed, there is a suit of Flying Fifteen sails which are just as effective in a fresh breeze.
The Ideas Man
After trying plastics design, learning German and a little about marketing in the nineties it was time to fulfil an interest in sailboats I had as a teen. Most of the ideas wont happen but some have and will.
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