The greatest ship on the sea.

Shoestring at Anchor outside Dunmore East harbour from Dominic

Since starting this site I've had some lovely emails from previous owners of Shoestring. Dominic whom I purchased her from sent me some photos and instructions on various aspects, and now reads this blog to check on her progress.

I've also had emails from Dr Ellis, who co-ownder her in 1980s with Dr Robinson, who's wife and daughter have been kind enough to send me some photocopies of her old ships logs.

Recently I've had Colin and Martin Hunt email in with stories of their exploits sailing on Shoestring and how much they admired her and are glad to see her still going.

Fortunately everyone approves of the new colour scheme and restoration work. -Note to all, still have the traditional Shoestring leaks in cabin roof! (Right above my bunk!)

It's great to get emails in from people whom sailed on her or owned her. Its something you don't get with a new yacht. There must be hundreds of little ships like Shoestring with their own histories and stories. Its probably my imagination but being a wooden yacht, and a Folkboat for that matter does lend itself to the belief that she's more unique than other boats.

Thank you to everyone that emailed in with your photos and stories. Please do keep in touch and please email more photographs if you have some. -I'll have to organise a 'get-together' cruise.

Best, Tony.

Last weekend

After too many work commitments got in the way we missed entering the Seafair! -I'll wait till the 2010 one now.

MW was working so I took the 'relief' crew. Amy and Nick. I also took King along as first dog. He loved the yacht, water, swans and generally anything that moved!



We arrived Friday evening to a warm-ish night, Amy and I made a point of finishing off a bottle of Sailor Jerry's that was in the cabinet. I also hooked up the battery chargers to the mains with our new cables.


Amy spoiling King.

Saturday morning we woke to rain and mist. We drove off to Dale for breakfast and then took King to his first time at the beach. He loved it! Trying to run and kick around, eventually pulling me into the sea with him.


Nick inspecting the ship

Nick arrived later on Saturday with his friend, we had dinner in Milford Haven then bed. Sunday, great weather; a quick look around the seafair, taking King to Broad Haven beach again, then the drive home.


King taking me for a paddle at Broad Haven beach.

A nice weekend really! -Still need to finish the painting and re-fitting but never mind there's always another weekend!

King joins the crew!

Meet King, the newest and friendliest member of Shoestring's crew!

King is a retired racing Greyhound from the Romford Trust for Retired Greyhounds, a division of the National Retired Greyhound Trust. He was well looked after and raced under the name of Bowmers King from 2001 until October 2007. He'll be visiting the yacht soon with his bed in tow to place between the cabin bunks on the floor, and during day time sailing he'll be keeping lookout in the cockpit. (Or sleeping on a bunk.)

The short video above is of a race at Walthamstow dog-track, King, (then Bowmers King) finished 4th in the race, and he is the one wearing a red coat with a number 1 on it. Despite coming fifth here, he won many races in first and second place in his long racing career. After spending more time racing than most other dogs this in no way affects his performance as a domestic pet, except he just wants to play and sleep all day! . Greyhounds make wonderful pets and apart from two to three long walks they mostly sleep all day.

If you are looking for a new dog at anytime, a greyhound may well be worth considering. There are many excellent books available together with a wealth of information on the internet.