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chrisabela
United Kingdom
327 Posts |
 Posted - 07/03/2010 : 16:32:14
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Extract from the Gull blog
It was great to talk to Richard Hartley of Hartley Laminates at the Dinghy Show yesterday. I didn't realise quite how enthusiastic he was about the Gull. I was especially pleased to hear that he believes he will make and sell nearly 20 new Gulls this year. He also intends to produce a small book on how to sail the Gull. He showed me one that he made for the Wayfarer and it looks very professional and waterproof to boot! The boat on the stand looked very good and very well made, I would not hesitate to order one if, heaven forbid, something should happen to Aurora (not so sure about a yellow one though!). It's also great to hear that he intends to re-tool the moulds for the Gull this year. So things are definitely looking up.
Another great thing about the dinghy show is bumping into old friends and talking to newcomers who discover the Gull for the first time and are smitten from the outset. Discouraging however, are the people who come to the stand ask lots of questions about the boat and on receiving my honest and impartial reply look at me as if to say "you would say that wouldn't you". To all those people a few bullet points to consider:
1) I do not work for Hartley Laminates and I don't receive a commission
2) I do not work for the class association (currently non-existent, more about that in a minute)
3) I'm often stood at the Hartley's stand to see if anybody is interested or needs some advice but I am just a show visitor like everybody else
4) If I don't think the Gull is for you I will tell you
5) The Gull can be pulled up and down slipways
single handed by anybody but be realistic, some slipways are so steep that you need a team of sailors just to pull an Oppie up and down them
As far as I'm aware, the Gull Class Association secretary is in-communique, therefore I have asked Hartley's to liaise with me and if nobody feels they would rather do it, I'm hoping, to start the class up again. It's not something I've ever wanted to do but it's something that needs to be done. I know lots of you don't want to be in the class association and don't see the need but everyone I've spoken to about Gulls is so passionate about them that it is necessary to have an organisation in place to ensure the boats continue to be built. I don't believe that £5 a year membership fee is breaking the bank for most people. For this money, we can have an official website, a regular newsletter, a Gull sailors directory and a few other things besides. I know lots of you read this blog so please drop me a line to let me know what you think and whether you would like to be added to a mailing list. my email chrisabela(at)hotmail.(co).(uk)
Visit the Gull Blog
http://gulldinghysailing.blogspot.com/
Christopher Abela
email - chrisabela(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk |
Edited by - chrisabela on 14/03/2010 19:57:01 |
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Gull Sailors Please read............
