This was meant to be the winter edition, early February at the latest. Come then I was hanging on for an item or two (my usual excuse) and then a few family circumstances meant I had suddenly to go out to Australia for a few weeks. So I am sorry that winter has extended well into Spring – but who’d notice that back over here !? At least Oz. was 31 degrees in the shade ! I put a quick email out to those who are ‘connected’, apologising for the inevitable delay. I hope the message got around, but if not – sorry.

I’d hoped too to make this an East Coast edition – and it is, mostly. Eight Memorys concentrated below the hump in the very trad. gaffer country and Peter Harrold with "Déjà vu" over the top and round the bend. This neck of the woods is the homeland of the Memory, so I thought they should come first. Next time, I hope we can focus on the south west coast where the number of boats is increasing.

I hope it’s not a permanent dip in the market but unusually there are a number of second hand Memorys now up for sale; "Merlin", "Greensleeves" and "Ruffler", as far as I know. Pass the word around to your enthusiastic occasional crews and disgruntled sailing mates who noticed that the one ahead is a Memory.

I’ll aim to squeeze another edition in/out around May – material from the south west fleet especially would be welcomed. (Ed.)

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(In the last edition of the newsletter, there was a piece from Peter about the travails of getting to a boat moored out in the middle of water somewhere. Personally, I much ‘identified’ with this predicament….and in the process forgot to include in a fairly crowded edition the story of the re-birth of ‘Déjà vu’ from river passenger ferry to proper sailing Memory. So in this ‘East Coast’ edition – herewith, and for anyone who has just looked at charts around The Wash area – a true mini saga ! Ed.)

Readers with good memories may recall the ‘Black Pig’, a Memory I purchased as an unfinished project (bare hull) early in 1999. Re-named ‘Déjà vu’ she was fitted out with side lockers and floors and sported a canopy for a year or so whilst taking trips up the Fosse Dyke canal (Britain’s oldest, built by the ‘roams’) from her base in Brayford Pool, Lincoln. I got the feeling this caused a few gasps amongst MOA members who will be pleased to know that ‘Déjà vu’ is now fully rigged (well almost) and getting a taste of salt water under her hull.

She arrived with an assortment of rigging and fittings acquired from various boat jumbles. Some of these, including the mast which appears to be of some age but strong, had been used but all new running and standing rigging has been bought from Greg at Salterns. Some of it was bought twice following a burglary at my boat shed ! The new sails by Conyer came with the boat and are cutter rig. The boom I made myself, whittling down a 15 foot length of 5 inch square Douglas fir from our local wood yard with a penknife. This took ages (even using a power plane!) and the finished job is probably a bit on the heavy side. With hindsight, I should have bought one from Salterns (£365) but mine did only cost £65. Greg was very helpful and there were two things which stuck in my mind. I needed a cabin – and thus I had to extend the decking back to the first bulwark (the decking aft of the mast step had been cut back for a previous potting shed type cabin). And I needed to put in plenty of ballast.

I was keen not to spoil the lovely Memory lines but wanted a little more headroom up the front. My friendly carpenter/glazier made a mahogany ‘cabby’ (cabin/cuddy) which is just 10 inches high and 27 inches long, with a nice curve to the top. I’ve Wested this and coach screwed it to through the coaming, making it easy to remove if I don’t like it - but so far I’m reasonably pleased with its all important looks and it keeps the spray off as well as making access to the sleeping quarters easier.

I seemed to have spent all my Saturdays this last season working on the boat – there are always so many little jobs. I have also been drinking heavily - and the resultant five litre water bottles (with handles) have made useful sand containers which I used for ballast, supplemented by a few sheets of lead roofing which came with the boat (don’t ask). I’ve since been given a couple of iron pigs which I may use to get the weight distribution even lower - but it all packs under the floorboards.

Lincoln Water carnival gave me the opportunity to show the boat off to 25,000 people. We also appeared in the local paper as a centrefold, even getting on the BBC local news when the weather forecast was broadcast live from our cockpit whilst under full sail. Luckily there were no mishaps, although tacking in an inland harbour gave me a few anxious moments. A shout of "Brian – what are you doing out there !?" from wife Ivy put me off. I didn’t let the main out quick enough and she wouldn’t pay off the wind (boat not wife) on to a run. We ended up shooting into the marina. Fortunately most of the boats were out and I managed to head up into a berth and bring her to a stop, allowing son Brian to run to Ivy’s waiting arms (ouch!)

And so the day arrived, after much planning, for the trip to Boston and a return to the sea, across the Wash. Sunday September 2 saw Henry Mark and me lowering the mast and setting off at 8.30 a.m.from Brayford Pool under motor. Passing through Lincoln city centre under numerous low bridges (including the famous glory hole) made me wish I’d put the low crutches under but we passed through without a scrape and entered Stamp End lock. This is electrically powered with a BW key. After five miles we were free of bridges for a while, could put up the mast and set sail. We had squashed the metal gaff jaws on the coach roof but these were put to rights with mole grips and we were soon galloping along with a moderate westerly breeze on the quarter.

At this point Mark asked if an inboard fountain was standard or had I paid extra for that. Sure enough, a stream of water was spurting out of the mahogany clad centre- board box. The plate was right down and it seems likely that the crook of the ‘L’ was forcing water up into the box , which obviously wasn’t sealed properly. This was ‘very worrying’ and cast doubts over the trip across the Wash. However, after a bit of playing about with the plate depth it stopped and never occurred again. It only happened at speed – have any other members come across this phenomenon ?

We had to stop and lower the mast again for bridges, which slowed us down and we needed to make the 32 miles to Boston before nightfall at least. With the mast up again, the other hazard was overhead telephone and power cables. At Southrey, it looked as if we might get under if we scandalised the main by dropping the gaff . Warning signs on the bank said clearance was 20 feet, the height of the mast. A heavy shower forced us into the White Horse pub to enquire of the locals, who hadn’t a clue that there were any cables across the river ! Mark got up on the bank to get a better view and said we’d be O.K. We went under the telecom line first; I thought no harm done if we catch that, just pull a few phones off the wall (and they’ve only just got ‘em in this part of Lincolnshire). We didn’t dare look as we glided under the power cable, apparently with inches to spare. (In fact about 3 yards!)

After Woodhall Spa, Mark left us and we motored all the way to Boston, as the wind had dropped. The fens stretched out on either side and cows stood in the river up to their oxteds. It could have been a hundred years ago, which was probably the last time a sailing craft of this side had passed through. At Boston, the local sailing club had just returned from a thrash around The Wash and very kindly allowed us to use a mooring for the night, loaning us a key. This allowed us to use the toilets and showers - which we did not realise until it was to late !

I’ve bought a heavy-duty eyeleted tarpaulin type cover, which goes the length of the boom. This was rigged and the airbeds pumped up under the foc’sle before we hit Boston. A note for visitors - Boston is closed on Sunday nights… and quite possibly every other night. We found this out from John at the Witham Tavern. John and his wife are very friendly Geordies who also run Boston Marina, rent out cottages and a motor launch. (The Witham Tavern has a special place in history being the first pub I got drunk in as a 16 year old Venture Scout staying with Boston Sea Scouts; there’s a thing on the wall). John and his wife pointed us in the direction of the fish & chip shop and kindly let us eat them in their restaurant, providing we bought their beer – we had no choice, honest.

The Grand Sluice at Boston leads ‘down below’ to the sea. It opens two hours before and after high water, when there is a ‘level’. The first level on Monday morning was at 5.30 a.m. and the lock keeper explained that as he would be in bed at that hour (we hadn’t given the required 24 hrs notice) we would be going through at 9.30 a.m. or not at all. Agreed.

John Carter and Brian joined us next morning at Boston, John to pilot us across the Wash and Brian to keep an eye out for us and drive around and pick us up on the other side. We gained salt water for the first time at 10 a.m. and were immediately greeted by a seal splashing a welcome. After the last bridge at Boston we got the mast up whilst under way (we were well practised by now) and set sail down the haven under a moderate north-westerly. John had brought with him his GPS and life raft and I had invested in a hand held VHF, distress flares, spare compass and outboard. We were soon clocking 5 knots and made Cut End by 11 a.m., where Brian was waiting to wave us on across the Wash. Once we lost the lee of the land we felt it prudent to put a reef in and soon put in the second one as the breeze freshened. The sun shone and we rollicked along, following the well marked deep-water channel as far as the Freeman channel. I have used the standard reefing pennants but have got the cleats too far out along the mast, so that reefing on a run (we didn’t want to stop the boat by going head to wind) means standing on the aft deck and performing like a trapeze artist. I’ve made a note to improve this by bringing lines forward.

The famous roaring middle mark soon appeared off our port bow and according to John’s GPS we were doing 8 mph (his version doesn’t do knots) under reefed main and staysail – the jib was not unfurled during the whole trip. Both John and Henry are used to bigger boats ; John sails a 28 foot Golden Hind and Henry charters bigger yachts. But they were both very impressed with the Memory’s speed and stability. The cabin made a useful elbow rest - and kept the spray off.

A river cruiser with a family on board, which we had followed out of Boston, made it’s way to the Roger Sand for a game of cricket. The only other craft we saw was coaster waiting to go into Kings Lynn and a prawner from Lynn. The Sunk buoy appeared to starboard and we were soon only a mile off Hunstanton. It was still only 2 p.m. and we had crossed the Wash, over 20 miles, in three hours. With a strengthening wind forecast, we had decided to take the inshore channel round the corner to Brancaster. The next task was to find the narrow swatchway through the sandbanks off Hunstanton, accessible at low water according to the chart. We were looking for a gap in the breaking waves ahead and one seemed to appear dead ahead. However, this proved to be water so shallow that waves were not breaking on it and we touched an hour before low water.

With sails down and John and myself over the side we tried to pull her off but there was no way of knowing where the deeper water was. There was nothing for it but to sit it out and have a cup of tea. Although we didn’t dry out completely the rudder was banging up and down on the sand and as I went to take it off I noticed with horror the lower pintle had gone! After a minor panic we cobbled together a temporary pintle using a coach bolt. I made a note in the log to make a better arrangement - not that I would need reminding after that scare!

After a couple of hours the flood allowed John and myself to drag the boat over the sandbank. After motoring across the sand for a few yards we were in deep water and able to sail the seven or so miles to Brancaster in a strengthening breeze – the most exciting sailing of the trip although we were now against the tide. We made the harbour buoy at 18.00 and picked up John’s mooring at 18.30. John’s three man inflatable dinghy proved to be two at a push so he and Henry set off for the staithe – half a mile away – while I tidied up and rigged the boom cover. This is clipped down to the topsides and tied on to the boom at either end. We were soon enjoying the pleasures of the Jolly Sailor with Brian joining us. The toast was ‘Déjà Vu’ and many more adventures with her. Certainly she should give the local Drascombes, sharpies and Hawk 20’s a run for their money in the local races and who knows she might generate more east coast enquiries for Greg.

In the last week the wind has blown strongly from the north-west and I was fretting as the mooring is the furthermost out and exposed to the north-west, although seas are broken by the bar. I’ve been down twice since and she’s O.K. but the boom over cover presents a high profile to the wind, even on the lower crutches. I’ll need to consider alternatives, perhaps a cockpit and sail cover or even a plywood ‘garage’ over the cockpit – suggestions please. Yesterday it was blowing very strongly, only the odd hardy windsurfer was out and it was not pleasant to see the boat pitching and wrestling with the mooring rope. However, the mooring is sound and I’ve made friends with Jim, vice-commodore of the Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club, who keeps an eye on the moorings. The forecast is better for this week so maybe now I can start to relax a bit!

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A frozen shoulder restricted sailing somewhat last season, so not much to
report of "Kate's" roving. However, some of the following ramblings may be of interest.

A case for identity
The East Coast gang have been considering the production of a MOA burgee/pennant,
since the class has no sail designation. Some rough KJD designs are enclosed (see the  illustrations offered by Keith of different ways of playing with an "M". Sorry I could not find a way of turning the sideways ones the right way up ! No reason why we should not have a distinctive "M" for sails or burgee ? Whadya think ? Ed.) - for comment/criticism, or alternate designs ?

I have a rough costing of £7.85 each for 20, or £5.25 each for 50, from Flags
and Banners of Burnham, working from our design on a floppy. This for a woven polyester rectangle approx 15" x 8" in 2 colours, with eye and toggle for halliard attachment. As a further refinement the boat name could be included, though that’s a bit hard to imagine. Anyway – MOA owners’ comments welcome!

OGA and other races
I had a long chat with Nick H. in the Autumn and it seems that "Letty May" has
been impressing the locals of Burnham, Mersea and Heybridge again . Nick and Sue have done most of last years events up here. I can't keep up with them - in every sense!

Greg's done well !
One season on and I don't know how we managed without the sheer convenience
of the outboard well. OK, it's a bit noisier than before, but not so much as
expected and the stern locker is inevitably open partly to the elements when
under way. This compromises what little buoyancy Kate has. But a large rectangle of
canvas will easily keep the rain out ! You win some -you lose some. Fuel tank
would not fit in the now divided locker but luckily fits exactly below the
cockpit sole. Motor removal takes only a few minutes at the most and it is now in a much less conspicuous in position.

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Tips from our Maker (i.e.Greg D.)

I read with great interest the problems people seem to have sometimes with mast wedges getting out of control. If you make the wedges roughly as in the sketch  – and out of soft pine or similar - and push plenty of them in place around the mast, and then tie the cord holding them together nice and tight – they should be fine for a season. It takes only a moment or two to stamp them home if they start wandering upwards. A word of warning though, the mast hole in the deck is not central to the hull, so you will probably want thinner wedges on one side or the other.

    click the pic to see it larger

While the mast is down this winter, you have the perfect opportunity to make a mast gaiter. This can be done from two pieces of water-proof canvas sewn down their sides. It must be fitted over the mast before it is stepped (yes I know, but you’d be surprised how many didn’t…) and held in place with an electrician’s plastic cable tie. The pull down over the cable-tie so that the seams are now inside and lock tightly around the deck collar. This is water-tight, yet easily removed if you have to get at the mast wedges (don’t forget to allow for them when measuring up). If spending the night down below in summer, I usually untie the gaiter for an extra bit of ventilation.

Some years ago I came up with this variation on an old theme and reckon it to be indispensable for single handed sailing. It is pretty basic technology, best described as tent guy rope meets bungee cord, but it’s utterly reliable. It only takes seconds to slip the cord on and off the tiller and is infinitely adjustable. The best bit about this system is its elasticity. You can slam the helm hard over without disconnecting anything. Very handy sometimes if you are as inattentive as me. All you need is a couple of pieces of hardwood about 3 inches by one and half, by one and half. Then two pieces of thick shockcord and two eye screws or similar, which should go on the under edge of the coaming so that they don’t stick into your back. I find it fascinating to watch the tiller gently nodding from side to side as the pressures vary and you can control the course by trimming the sails. Have a go – you may find that the bungee cord is a better helmsman than you are………..

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Ramblings from the far East (From Neil Mordey)

Last season (2001) was a strange one for us. A late start in launching "Dram" due to the weather and other commitments meant that we did not really get going until just before the East Coast OGA race. This became a non-event as far as we were concerned as extremely heavy weather on the Thursday and Friday made the passage down the coast to West Mersea impossible for a Memory. Unfortunately, on the East Coast that is really the only racing available to us. There is the East Coast Classics in June, but that ranges up and down the East Coast from Brightlingsea to Lowestoft, and whilst the weather has been very benign for the last two years one cannot depend on it being a Memory friendly fortnight. A few of us in the OGA based on the Orwell are looking at organising a weekend or two around Harwich featuring a bit of light-hearted racing with a large social element - if anyone out there is interested please let me know and I'll keep you posted on any developments.
Perhaps the best 'event' that we took part in this year was a loose arrangement by a dozen friends to meet with a view to 'racing' from the club line at Pin Mill, up the Stour to Holbrook Beacon and back to Shotley Marina for dinner in the Shipwreck Bar. The boats ranged from a Morecambe Bay Prawner via a bawley, a smack or two to a selection of folkboats and plastic cruisers. No frills, no handicaps, no arguments and everybody got a prize of some kind ! Maybe that should be the basis of a regular international series.
Finally, we took delivery of one of Greg's little dinghies - which has been great fun to potter around in under sail. I just wish that Greg had called it something else ! After its appearance in PBO - all I heard for the rest of the season was 'Here comes Neil in that Firkin dinghy' - at least that's what I think they were saying !! Anyway, it tows beautifully behind Dram and has added another dimension to a lazy afternoons down river.

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A Letter to Keith Davidson !

My name is Haydn, ex owner of the Memory "Kate". When I get the chance, I read with great interest – and a lump in my throat - about your exploits with "Kate". I really am pleased you are enjoying her and are looking after her best interests. As I write, there is a model of Kate on my desk, which serves to remind me of the fun I had with her. At the time I was in a rush to be off to Australia. Now I´m based in Colombia, working in Africa and en route to Spain. It´s a funny old world!

Once I figure out how this machine works I should be able to send you some photos of Kate in the Baltic. But in the meantime I thought you may be interested in a couple of Kate´s "claims to fame". First things first though; tacking short handed with two headsails - I got around this by holding both sheets in one hands, getting the best set I could, then cleating both off on the same cleat. Not perfect, but it worked quite well and once things settled down, I could tend to both headsails at my leisure.

Claim to fame "1". Around autumn ´97, The BBC was filming ‘Island Race’, using as the centre stage the pilot cutter "Hirta", run by Tom Cunliffe and family. At the time of Hirta´s entrance to Peterhead Harbour, Kate was in danger of being bashed against the wall, thanks to the ever un-reliable Seagull. Having dropped both spark plugs and spanner overboard I was getting myself in rather a state. Tom Cunliffe – great man that he is - offered to lend me the out board from Hirta´s tender, in order for me to reach my berth on the other side of the bay. The outboard was a short shaft, and in order for the prop to reach the water, Tom then offered himself as ballast to bring down the stern. This may not sound much, until you realize the sheer size of the man. He is enormous! So with this venerable author in charge of the outboard and shamefaced owner steering, Kate went home. But - what I recall most of all was the guru of all Gaff Rig saying of "Kate" - ’She is pretty’.

Somewhere in an attic in England, is a copy of Yachting Monthly, maybe ´97 again. On the inside back cover (I’m sure you are familiar with them) are the ‘confessionals’. I won’t go into all the gory details but there is one cartoon of a blond woman hanging from the bowsprit of a little gaffer. The gaffer is "Kate" and the original cartoon by Mike Peyton is hanging on the wall of my study. It is my prize possession, along with another Mike Peyton (I have two, is this a record?) Should I ever become Lord Mayor of London, then I shall auction them off for charity; until then, my cartoon of "Kate" is staying on the wall. Whilst learning to sail "Kate" I took plenty of advice from the late Frank Mulville, who kindly invited me onboard "Iskra" whilst in Gothenberg. Unfortunately, "Kate" wasn´t there at the time but I shall always treasure his advice and memory.

"Kate" is also the first boat to be taken single handed, through the Gota canal since World War 2 ! And I have a certificate to prove it ! I believe that’s in another attic somewhere.. I hope these anecdotes give you something to chat about in the pub, but I dare say you have enough of your own by now. I´ll email the photos as soon as I´m able to and here´s wishing you all the best – thanks for taking good care of her. Fondest regards, Haydn Windle .

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I have finally got "Troost" back in the water after a long time in ‘drydock’. She looks wonderful ! She is now painted back in the original ‘Memory Green’. The rubbing strips and toe-rails have been replaced with teak as the mahogany which was there previously wasn’t really up to it. The hull had a dribble or two of osmosis and took some time to dry out (and that’s in a Middle East climate ! Ed.) She now has running backstays with Davey and Co bronze ‘Highfield’ levers. This arrangement is still being worked up and we are not yet sure of ourselves with the bangs (and a few ‘utterings’) that take place when we tack. Those Hong Kong sails have been replaced with a new suit in cream from Greg and they look splendid. The topsail is quite different in shape from the old one and has yet to be sorted out properly. I really need now to get cracking with the digital camera and perhaps get some illustrations to you.

Well, I got a Memory at last ! I’d almost given up and decided to put together a Sou’wester 18, a lovely boat which Greg and Salterns are now doing, when along comes two Memorys in two days (It happens… Ed.) I decided to buy John Turner’s boat, as it was down here and he also took me for a sail in her, which of course clinched the deal. He has made a great job of the boat and I’m now looking forward eagerly to the coming season.
I found out a bit more about 'Sophie' ( ex Soraya ) . Apparently her original owner was an editor of one of the yachting monthlies and he used to race her out of Minehead. Unusually I believe, she was red. Does this ring any bells or tie in with any information anyone else may have? I have written to classic boat who say they may publish the letter. I managed to get out for the first time a couple of weeks ago… fantastic ; I can't wait for the weather to pick up. (Please note membership list change; Giles is at 4 Heywoods Close, Teignmouth, Devon, TQ14 8LL, Tel. 01626 774485 and email gbowe64118@aol.com

I have the promo letter to MOA. Over 50 exhibitors signed up so far for this ‘small boats’ family type boatshow. It is now to be held between 16^th and 19^th May at Penton Park in Chertsey, Surrey. I can Fax a copy of details if anyone wants them – or you can phone Michael Shefra on 0870 241 1010.

Ted Mason has not sold Merlin yet. Custom built cabin Memory of the older type, in excellent condition (See picture, Ed.). Equipped for cruising; two berth with gaz cooker, cruising lights and electrics, full suit of sales incl, topsail, regularly serviced 5 hp Mariner O/B and a trailer. At present wintering ashore at Christchurch, Dorset. Ted can be contacted on 01202 387179 or email eamason@nasuwt.net

Owned by Jeannie and Stephen Brunskill, "The Jeannie B" is sailed out of Noss Mayo on the Yealm River in south Devon. They have a local address for those Memory times - The Haven, Stoke Road, Noss Mayo, South Devon, PL8 1DY, Tel. 01752 873179. Please adjust members list.

Has a hotmail email address also : kjandmdavidson@hotmail.com Please amend members list.

A Salterns cabin version with outboard, built 18 months ago, is owned by George and Joan Jackson. George has been sailing for a very long time indeed but has reluctantly decided that "Greensleeves" is now a bit too hefty for him to manage with ease – so "Greensleeves" is up for sale also. For details contact Greg.

Is one of the R. Dart based boats, previously owned by Geof Jacobs but now taken over by John Wynn. John’s address is The Linhay, Bozomzeal, Dittisham, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 0JG, Tel. 01803 722247. Please adjust tour MOA members list.

Very sadly and suddenly Andy died during last season in the midst of enthusiastic preparations for 2001 sailing. He had only recently taken over "Ruffler" from John Atwill, the start of his and Jean’s well earned retirement. It is not possible for Jean to keep the boat on, so "Ruffler is up for sale. The second of the Saltern’s Memorys, "Ruffler" is an open boat but with a proper lifting hatch to the cuddy – and a powerful little Lombardini air cooled in-board engine. Ex Andy’s attentions of course, the boat is in excellent order. If anyone knows of anyone who might be interested – talk to Greg.

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Trevor Fulcher keeps "Irene" at Maylandsea which is down Lawlin Creek off the Blackwater. "Irene" is an open trad. boat, built around 1970 by the Liverpool Boat Company. She now has a pretty new Vire engine. Like the saga with Keith’s centre plate some few editions ago, Trevor had a look see, given the older-boat risks. He says that he found last year that the pins holding the plate were pretty well worn, needing replacing, and wondered what needed doing about a degree of general corrosion on the plate itself. To solve the question, he ended up with an engineering mate cutting him out a new one for free ! (Nice to have friends like that….) The chain plates were beginning to dribble rust, so they were replaced, this time in stainless. The pintles on the rudder were OK though, just needed cleaning up, but the bolts needed replacing. A bow end bit of the rubbing strake, tied on with a bit of string and forgotten, was finally complaining this temporary arrangement and needed to be dealt with permanently. And apart from a change of impeller on the water pump, she’s more than hull-fit for another season. So despite the varied builds of the older Memorys, they seem to stand up to the years well. Probably because their owners love them. Trevor is left with some questions though; beating up last year to Maldon (and Trevor is no slouch on how to sail a Memory) he was gradually overhauled by Neil Mordey in "Dram", a Salterns boat. But, he thought, "Dram" was leaning over heavily and there might have been a question of the weight of the ballast being carried by the two boats. Or it was a matter of very old sails on "Irene" ? So, he’s going to weigh the ballast, possibly ask Neil the same question, and/or think the unthinkable and a bank loan to wave in front of Greg for a new suit of sails. He’d welcome any MOA comment on key evidence about windward performance………..

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Well no new Memory on the stocks at present. That’s a shame; first time for some time but it seems to be somewhat the case that people are not buying boats at the moment - if you’re talking less than 5 million that is. I talked to Greg about the "Irene" v "Dram" question posed by Trevor in the last piece. Despite its small size, the Vire inboard is a surprisingly hefty piece of kit and in Greg’s view could make a difference ballast wise by putting the back end down in the water further. (He put in and took out a Vire Engine from Flugel and substituted the outboard well.) But Greg reckoned the sails to be the main factor. The old sails were a lot flatter besides losing what shape there was over the years and the new ones have a much better cut. "Gretel" is another of the older Memorys which recently changed hands and is now up for sail again. Greg now has quite a list of second hand Memorys available in good order. Intending purchasers seem to think that a second hand Memory should be able to be picked up for three thousand or thereabouts but if it’s in anything like reasonable condition that is not going to be the case. But – a Sou’wester 18 in kit form has been sold, perhaps from such expectations. The yard is also completing a Sou’wester 18 as a launch. One new Tela has just gone out of the yard and another is being built. Plau another Wagtail has hit the water. The Salterns corporate diversification starategy nowadays extend to regular Guru Dalrymple articles in the ‘Sailing Today’ magazine. A must buy therefore… There will be an item in a near future edition on local cruising with a Memory. All good practical and honest advice of course. Add one bit for free, if you too happen to be removing an inboard engine and leving the egine mounts in place – they can be easily adapted as an excellent storage space for the anchor