New season beckons.....

You wouldn't think it, looking out of my study window and the swirling snow and the -12 windchill but it is the 1st March and in previous years varnish has been drying and trailers have been serviced - but it does promise to warm up next week so mid to late April on the water is still on the cards I hope.

What's been happening.... well I saw Riley from La Vagabonde at the London Boat Show in passing but couldn't make it to their session where he and Elayna were talking about their widely publicised adventures on their Outremer catamaran.

Follow their adventures on their You Tube channel - La Vagabonde or visit their website 

On the Drascombe stand we had a great time, meeting new people and renewing old friendships.
We had an owners Drascombe Coaster 'Action Penguin'  on the stand which attracted a lot of attention as well as a brand new Drascombe Lugger that is destined to start her life on the shores of Lake Garda (can't be bad)

Drascombe Coaster 'Action Penguin' and
a new Drascombe Lugger

The new 5 day format of the show recieved mixed reviews - it was certainly less taxing that 10 days and there was a marked increase in footfall, but there were some big names missing particularly in the chandlers section.It's understandable, with all the kit they bring and the time it takes to un pack, set up and then put it all away again - 5 days probably doesn't seem worthwhile.

One of the highlights was the British Marine dinner with mock roulette and black jack tables - Sharon 'won' over £7,000 and then lost it all - but had fun doing it.

The gambler....with Rob from Dek-King

Das Boot

No sooner was London over with than we were off to the Dusseldorf Boat Show or Das Boot as it is called. - I suppose this qualifies as the European Boat Show, although there are other national shows that take place, Paris for example. But what a difference from London. It is sad to say but it made London look very small and unrepresentative of the boating arena within the UK .
The one, albeit large hall at Excel was replaced by 18 halls and large ones at that, with specific halls devoted to small sailing boats, large yachts,  motor boat, tow boats, diving etc. There were lots of activities such as wake boarding and a canoe pool complete with island
I went out with Sharon from Drascombe and we walked well over 8 miles without visiting all the halls !!!!!!

The map of Boot

The dinghy hall

 It was only a short visit to see whats what but it was certainly impressive with additions that LBS could consider such as public transport included in the ticket price - which was cheaper by the way.

RYA Sailabity Conference - Wyboston

We took an adapted Drascombe Longboat 'Zingaroo' up to this event borrowed from Queen Mary Sailability and she was very well received. The changes that have been made to suit sailors with less physical abilities were much photographed and commented upon.

What did it for me was the energy and enthusiasm of not only the sailors with a variety of disabilities but the volunteers who are involved - quite humbling and very impressive.

So having been energised by all the toys on show at the Boat shows, and enthused by the participants of the Sailablity event I can't wait for the snow to go, the sun to come out and the fun to start