Me and my GP's
Better than the Wayfarer
My GP's
At the start of 2020, I had a good clear-out of GPs, and I am currently left with just two having at one time FOUR!
I have 'Aeolian' hull number '28'. I finished that just in time to put it alongside my brand-new Duffin/Paintcraft 14269.
I find that the Mk11 GP14s are great little boats for estuary cruising. The newer boats have rounded edges at the gunwhales, which makes fitting rowlocks near impossible. They are a great size and weight; single-person sailing is not too difficult, provided you are well organised. I do not sleep aboard (nor would I want to). Carrying a small tent and sleeping on the shore gives you a better night's rest. Getting it back on to your launching trolley is at times a bit of a struggle, but still miles better than with a Wayfarer.
AEOLIAN Hull No 28
Aeolian was probably built in 1950. It has the unique number of ‘28’ and is in the top 5 of the oldest boats left in its class.
The Bell Woodworking label on the boat has the company at Percy Road, Leicester. The factory moved to its better-known place - Narborough Road, Leicester. The successful sale of the first 'batch' of boats enabled the company to move too more suitable premises.
It is a 'classic' (not vintage - according to the CVRDA rules), built in 1950. It is in excellent condition and I use if as often as I can. With a regular full paint and varnish job, and with its brass/bronze fittings - it looks just superb.
The Royal Windermere Yacht club acquired about 10 boats from Bell Woodworking and Aeolian was purchased from them by Dr. Scott (although Bell records show this was a Dr. Wilson).
It passed to very few owners over the years and was enthusiastically sailed by a family living near Bowness. Eventually it was laid up and, thankfully, in a nice dry barn. Its owner was keen for it to go sailing again and advertised it on the GP Association website, where I bought it in July 2010. It was (for its age) in very good condition and after a very quick rub down and repaint, it sailed again at the Aberdovey 60th anniversary meeting that year.
It was there I was introduced to Searson Thompson; his company - Bell Woodworking - built my boat, and his son Paul then tested them at Aberdovey in everything that the sea could throw at them. At age 99 (and he didn't look it!), he could still name all the early boats and who bought them.
Footnote: Searson died aged 107 and at this time was the officially the oldest man in Britain
SOIRBHEAS 14269
My spanking, brand new GP14. Built by Alistair Duffin in Belfast and painted/epoxied at Paintcraft, Nottingham
I have named it 'Soirbheas' (Gaelic for 'fair wind').
Gone but not forgotten...............
EREBUS 13544
This was my cruising / racing boat for many years. Passed it on to someone who was full of 'promises'. Boat now sits neglected in the dinghy park. Everytime I walk passed it I hear it give a little sob.
KYLE LEA 2910
I did more miles in this than was good for me. I have some great memories of sailing all over the country with Kyle Lea...... REST IN PEACE little boatie.
’Twas such a little—little boat ....That toddled down the bay!.... .....’Twas such a gallant—gallant sea..... That beckoned it away!
Note: the sea did not 'beckon it away'. I gave it a 'Viking funeral'.
