Topic: Windermere Steamboat Rally, UK (Read 14440 times)

gondolier88 · « **on:** August 05, 2009, 10:43:51 pm »

Hi All,

For anyone who finds themselves in the lakes over the week of August 9th-14th, Windermere Steamboat Week is happening- hosted by the SBA of GB annually- although not a public rally day membership can be bought and upto you to find boat owners who are happy to let you onboard- though it's not usually hard.

If you don't want to take part then fantastic photo opportunities and steam upclose and personal can be had.

I will take plenty of pics for everyone- though I won't be attending the full week this year- looking forward to the 'Victoria' I've been building being at Wray Castle harbour with 30-40 launches- pictures galore!!!

Just hope it doesn't rain all week like the past two years!!!!!!!!

Post requests for any particular things you might want to see posted.

Greg

Liverbudgie2 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 05, 2009, 10:46:35 pm »

Do you know were they will be berthing now the Museum has gone?

LB

Solitary Sailor · « **Reply #2 on:** August 05, 2009, 10:47:41 pm »

You lucky man you. Surrounded by all those steamers ... almost heaven. I wonder, is this what 'jihadis' experience when they go to collect their 72 virgins

gondolier88 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 05, 2009, 10:55:10 pm »

Hi Liverbudgie-

The majority moor at the Windermere Motorboat and Racing Club- others at the Yacht Club- there is activity at WMBRC most mornings from around 9.00-10.00 am- most casting off around 10.30-11.00am.

There are still quite a lot of private boathouse that have steamboats in them around the lake if you know where to look...

SS, 72 virgins or 40 steam launches- I know lets comprimise- 36 virgins in 3 steamlaunches...

Greg

Solitary Sailor · « **Reply #4 on:** August 05, 2009, 11:04:32 pm »

I think just a dozen of 'em might be more than most guys can handle. Imagine having to train that many inexperienced people, especially when they're all nattering on about shoes and clothes ....arrrgggghhhh!!!!!

, and that's before they get to the cat fights

steamboatmodel · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2009, 12:43:51 am »

Quote from: Solitary Sailor on August 05, 2009, 10:47:41 pm

You lucky man you. Surrounded by all those steamers ... almost heaven. I wonder, is this what 'jihadis' experience when they go to collect their 72 virgins

Hi Solitary,
Re the 72 virgins, I have been told it is a mistranslation, its not 72 virgins its a 72 year old virgin

Regards,
Gerald.

Solitary Sailor · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2009, 01:03:45 am »

Hi Gerald

As to mistranslations, I'd heard that it was that the word for virgins in the ancient Arabic, has as its root the meaning ... 'plump, delicious raisins'; which leads one to speculate ... should the raisins be a little past their sell by date, might not the expectant recipients get some dried up old prunes ... bummer

But then that's just a variation on your 72 year old virgin, just in multiples ... serves the b*****s right.

boatmadman · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2009, 07:57:57 am »

Greg,

Where is the best place to see these boats, wray castle or wmbc or somewhere else?

Think I will try and get there one of the days. Would really love a full size steam boat

Ian

gondolier88 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2009, 04:36:50 pm »

Hi all,

I think the likelihood of a 72 year old virgin being on a steamboat is fairly slim

Boatmadman,

Best places- Fellfoot jetties on Mon 10th- boats normally get there around 12.00-12.30pm,

Tuesday 11th- steam through bowness bay to the north end and back to WMBRC,

Wednesday is free steaming so anywhere on the lake,

Thursday (my first day this year) is from WMBRC to wray castle where we all raft up for lunch and cook sausages in the fireboxes- I try to be the first champagne cork to pop!!

Then after lunch steam over to Ambleside to get an ice cream and chill for a bit then steady steam back to WMBRC.

Friday is haul-out day so unlikely to see too much action on the water past lunchtime.

By the way Ian I'm working on Gondola on the weekend of Sep 13th/14th if you fancy a ride for 'mates rates'- the crew will be more than happy to oblige a local who knew the original so put in your diary!

Greg

boatmadman · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2009, 05:50:43 pm »

Greg,

Thanks for that, think I will try for fellfoot on Monday, will you have a mayhem hat on?

Sep 13/14 looks good to me, will be the 13th as I have a course at work on Monday 14th

Ian

gondolier88 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 06, 2009, 06:51:21 pm »

Hi Ian,

I'm afraid i won't be there on monday, new baby and SWMBO are a force to be reckoned with!

I'll be there from wednesday night to fri aft.

Ahem- make that the weekend of 12th-13th

sorry!

Let me know sat or sun then we can expect you.

Greg

boatmadman · « **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2009, 07:01:29 pm »

New babies and swmbo's to be reckoned with...hmm been there done that

Just farmed off no1 son to a new wife this week

Not sure whether it will be the sat or sunday just yet, will let you know nearer the time.

Ian

gondolier88 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 06, 2009, 07:37:07 pm »

No problem mate.

Hmmm thats a long way off- well at least 18 years off- oh well I suppose i'll just have to enjoy them

Greg

Shamrock · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2009, 09:34:23 pm »

I`ll be there bright and early on Thursday morning. Not sure where yet though. I know where I`d like to be. My user name is a clue

But I`ll have to wait and see. Fingers crossed. I`ll have to figure out where to leave the car in the morning???? If the worst comes to the worst and I don`t manage to secure a ride on someone's pride and joy, I`ll hire a self drive and tag along that way.

gondolier88 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 11, 2009, 12:07:02 am »

Hi Shamrock,

I'll be in the other big steamer 'Souvenir d'Antan'- along with the model launch- I won't know you by sight so you'll have to introduce yourself- you can't mistake Souvenir, even prettier than Shamrock, honest!

There is a car park at Wray castle with loads of spaces- also next to the boathouse is the launch jetties so you can park at Bowness, Ambleside, Fellfoot, wherever really, and get a launch to where we are.

If Roger won't play ball there should be space on Souvenir, i'll have a word with Ronnie the owner in the morning and see if thats ok, though Roger normally can't do enough for people when it comes to steam

Pics are;

1- Souvenir d'Antan
2- Shamrock outside from inside her boathouse
3- Typical wray castle raft-up.

Greg

Shamrock · « **Reply #15 on:** August 11, 2009, 11:13:28 pm »

I`ll head up to Wray Castle then Greg. Looking forward to it.

Luke

Shamrock · « **Reply #16 on:** August 12, 2009, 11:54:48 pm »

http://www.southlakes-uk.co.uk/old/conwaterhead1912.jpg

Just a couple of pics to take you oldies back.

Imagine HSE`s reaction if they saw this sort of thing today.

http://www.southlakes-uk.co.uk/old/teal1896.jpg

derekwarner · « **Reply #17 on:** August 13, 2009, 01:47:17 am »

Oh dear

....a quick estimate suggests approx 600 passangers ...so @ 50 kg average = 3000 kg or 30 tonnes of human cargo ....I am amazed the vessel had reserve bouyancy to cope

Was this the sort of thing that Samuel Plimsol tried to overcome?

Is the British HSE ...the

?......Derek

gondolier88 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 14, 2009, 09:08:47 pm »

Hi Derek,

SY Gondola used to be classified for 250 passengers- needless to say that number is now 86!!!!!

Heres my pics of the rally this year, not many on the lake- too busy talking and drinking!!!

Heres the ones I managed- first ones are Souvenir d'Antan in her boathouse along with Grebe.
The rest are of a new build Windermere launch- Tarka - built by Eric Thompson, stats;

LOA; 35ft
Beam; 6ft(?)
Locomotive boiler, coal fired, side fired grate, working pressure of 185psi.
Engine- Roger Mallinsons first engine, using a Duplex steam pump's cylinder.
Hull; 1/2" Cedar strip plank, 3/8" teak veneer inside and out sandwiching 50mm 'Kingspan' insulation between to give the boat positive bouyancy.
The boat has hot and cold running water, oil lights.

The ENTIRE boat has been built by Eric, including making the patterns for every single brass fitting- from the wheel to the tiny stanchions for the rail on the engine casing!!!

Should be on the water next year- must be one of the most beautiful amateur new-builds in recent years.

Greg

gondolier88 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 14, 2009, 09:16:18 pm »

Some more...

gondolier88 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 14, 2009, 09:57:14 pm »

And more...

Shamrock · « **Reply #21 on:** August 14, 2009, 11:13:43 pm »

The Tarka is abs absol ab abolute..... ooohhhhh the aft seating area is... well It`s just...awe awesome and the bow....!!! that`s wi, wick... wick oooh aaargrh eddd. Be back in a mo. I need to get a tissue.

Shamrock · « **Reply #22 on:** August 15, 2009, 09:16:01 am »

I added this link to my thread, but should be here really. Enjoy.

http://s629.photobucket.com/albums/uu13/NonconformistZG/Windermere%20steam%20boat%20rally%2009/

gondolier88 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 15, 2009, 09:32:39 am »

Hi Luke,

I see you like Tarka too!!!!!!!!

She really is just beautiful in every way- perfect proportions.

Thanks for the link- you got some good ones of my launch, but those shamrock ones are fantastic- you picked the best day to come up to the rally no doubt about it!

Lets see you start to build something now....

Greg

Bernhard · « **Reply #24 on:** August 15, 2009, 01:46:07 pm »

hi...i did see this for sale on a forum...300£ ..fair price for a boat made like this

http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about20765.html

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Author Topic: Windermere Steamboat Rally, UK (Read 14440 times)

Solitary Sailor

Solitary Sailor

steamboatmodel

Solitary Sailor

Bernhard