John Puddifoot. His predecessor was very much against classics being allowed to race and did everything he could to make life difficult by insisting that the old racers conformed to modern safety rules, which, of course, they couldn’t.
Thursday, 06 May 2010 14:38
Have you noticed how anyone with a classic boat, whether they have a motorboat, a sailing boat or a manual powered craft, never seems to be in a hurry?
These owners always seem to live in a world of unshakeable contentment to which the rest of us can only aspire. It’s a mindset that comes from total enjoyment of a boat and the knowledge that getting to the destination is of secondary importance.
By contrast, modern boats tend to involve much more hectic activity, with skippers rushing to get from one place to another and missing much of the good stuff in between. If you’re a classic boater, you don’t really care. If you are not there at 1200, you will probably be there by 1300. And in any case, you’ve made provision for your lazy application of the nav plan with a well stocked bar, fridge and picnic box.
Classic boats are not just better stress busters than modern boats, but they are also more endearing. The quirks may involve a sail rig that is far too complicated for a modern boat, or the fact that you need coal to get a head of steam up and this in turn covers everyone for 50 yards in the harbour in a thin layer of soot as you chug out onto the lake. It is all these little things that are seen as part of the charm by the classic connoisseur and as irritations by the modern boater.
Whatever your view on things might be, there is no denying that a classic boat certainly looks lovely on the water and will generate pleasant thoughts for all who see her. They knew a thing or two did those old time boat builders. They knew about elegance and how a boat should become part of the general scene and not stand out from it. They also knew about how hulls interacted with the water. Have you noticed how the old slipper launches on the rivers hardly move any water and yet they are moving at the same or higher speeds than their modern counterparts which drive up big walls of water astern?
Sensory loveliness aside, there is one final stress-busting factor that ought to keep even the most ardent pragmatist happy. A classic boat doesn’t tend to lose much value. In fact, in many cases they are actually keeping pace with inflation, which means it is perfectly possible to buy a beautiful classic boat, use her for several seasons and then sell her for more than you paid. Do it right and that means that classic boating is not only great fun but also free of charge. If anything is guaranteed to take the stress out of your boat life, that is it . .
