I braved the snow and the cold to visit the London Boat show on Sunday. First time I have been for many years. It is not my sort of show, being mainly plastic power boats and expensive fashion. But it is interesting to see. Matt Newland was there with the first BayCruiser 23 on the Classic Boat stand. A strong family resemblance to my Daisy Grace, but look at the decks! Beautifully laid Douglas fir. I would be terrified of walking on them. The aft deck is so big that I am sure most of the extra length is taken up there. The cabin is bigger too, so the cockpit is much the same size, if not a little shorter. This first BC 23 will be sloop rigged. It will have an electric motor with a solid bronze drive leg mounted in the outboard well, with a folding propellor. I will be interested to hear what range it gets on charged batteries. The boat at the show did not have its mast and rig, which will be interesting to see in place.I have fitted slatted floorboards in Daisy G's cockpit, but haven't been able to get to her for the best part of two weeks because of the snow. I bought some extra bits and pieces for her at the show, including some miles of cut price rope from English Braids, which I have various plans for. Role on good weather.
(PS If you look carefully in the top left corner of the picture, you can see a photo of Daisy Grace on a test sail at Cardigan on the stand's poster.)
