Fareham to Gosport on a Mirror Dinghy in November

[@grahamunderwood9353]

just under fifty years since i last sailed a mirror dinghy you have brought back great memories

[@backtothebarky]

Was it this one? The sail is signed in permenent marker near the tack by the sail maker 1974 (I think you can see it in the video somewhere) I think I looked up the hull serial number that confirmed the year too. Glad I have been the source of some nostalgia for you. You should check out the 'Mirror Cruising' channel that guy is still sailing the sure he was possibly sailing them back then too! Thanks for watching :)

[@philliphunter6131]

The joys of simple boating, life doesn't get any better than that.

[@backtothebarky]

True words them. Wish I could get out there more!

[@jezlanejl]

I used to go to 2nd Fareham Sea scouts, I've launched from that slipway many times and made exactly the same journey, good to reminisce and see someone else.

[@backtothebarky]

Glad to hear it. You should get back out there again! Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@mikegooch1395]

Fantastic video as always - I used to live in Gosport and musty have driven past Fareham quay 100's of times and never realised the great dinghy sailing to be had in the harbour. You and Dave Sumner are seriously encouraging me to think about trading my heavy old Tideway 12 for a Mirror.

[@backtothebarky]

Cheers. Why what aspect do you think is better with these then? Fareham remember is v tidal and has a fairly small range when you can use it and as its at the top you'd be punching the tide alot, however it is still a decent spot for a Potter about. This was a 1 way trip worked nice you could easily do the same on the flood with the prevailing wind from Hardway that would be a good little trip.

[@mikegooch1395]

It's all about where you are! I'm on Morecambe bay now where you get 3 hours if you're lucky - I am thinking about some one way trips though. Tideway is about 150kg to a Mirror's 45kg, so I figure lighter would be better for man-handling etc. I guess I also regret living in Pompey, then Gosport for 10 years when I was never into sailing!

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Fleetlands, Royal Clarence Yard, The Semaphore Tower…. So many memories (of work!) I’m sure the police around the Carriers gave you a once over 🤓🤓🤓

[@backtothebarky]

Yer I do look sus 😂 Glad to provide some nostalgia thanks for watching.

[@richardteale3217]

The pleasure to be had from a boat is inversely proportional to its length. How true.

[@oldscooldinghybuoys]

Seeing that you’d uploaded another video cheered my evening 😊 thanks. I had to google about brailing up the sails ! There’s always an interesting snippet tucked within your narration 👌 very enjoyable viewing thanks once again.

[@backtothebarky]

Ha ha I've just googled it to check it too... Alot of my sailing terminology is 200 years old because I'm a great fan of those historic napoleonic era novels. Whilst driving the tractor I listen to audible audio books. I've `read' all the Patrick Obrian (of master and commander fame) books twice over and all the Julian Stockwin Thomas Kydd books and most of the Richard Bolitho Novels too. For eg I got the word Barky and the name Tyger from them. They are v entertaining and inspirational and better than radio 2 by leagues and leagues! Great to hear that you are enjoying my vids - I have footage from a bigger trip in June of an abandoned channel crossing on the big boat (obvs not the mirror!) not got round to editing yet but will do soon so stay tuned if that sort of thing floats your boat so to speak.

[@oldscooldinghybuoys]

@@backtothebarky thanks for responding Shippers ! I look forward to the abandoned Channel crossing vid 👌 I enjoyed your previous crossing with you pals 😜 I concur regarding the Napoleonic era of sail, the knowledge skill and experiences of those sailors was quite something ! Keep up the great content production, your narration is very good 👌 especially those snippets from the Napoleonic era 😉👏👏 ATB John

[@fish-hawk5903]

Fabulous video, as always. So encouraging to see that low-season dinghy sailing needn't be awful. By an amazing chance I was up the Spinnaker Tower on the 25th November, my first time ever. Going to analyse all the video I took, for a small red sail...

[@backtothebarky]

Thank you. Ha funny coincidence that. I went up there for my boys birthday in August! Thanks for watching again.

[@jeremyrowley1240]

Great video. An area I know well, and have sailed in various sailing boats including a Mirror over the since 1974 and I now keep a yacht at Gosport with 100m of where you finished up at Cold Harbour. One thing I noticed is that the boom seems to droop at the back - and it shouldn't. Is the head of the sail fixed to the top of the gaff as far up as it can possibly go and do you pull the luff down tight the tack when it is all hoisted?

[@backtothebarky]

Thank you. Yes it's a great spot lucky to have a mooring there. Maybe the old sail is a bit out of shape. Luff is sinched down fairly tight via the downhaul. Head is tied off about 3 in below the hole for its tie, I could tie that up higher maybe. I have always left it that long as I read a rigging guide that said that. Would make the slot between the foot and the boom even bigger though. Not a racer anyway so I'm not too worried, but I'll consider it next time I rig her, might save the noggin a few knocks too. Thanks for watching!

[@jimray937]

Great video thank you.

[@backtothebarky]

Thanks for watching Jim!

[@jimray937]

Hi is Jaba one of the Jester challenge boats? Best wishes Jim

[@backtothebarky]

@@jimray937 Yes it belonged to Basil Panakis who wrote a book called 'The Jester Challenge and beyond'. If you Google that you'll see her. So it's a very capable boat I bought it with the intention of attempting the Jester Baltimore challenge but have since changed my mind methinks 😏. Maybe once the wee ones are grown up I'll have a go. Still intend to keep her for a while and have some adventures with my crew, but Offshore single handing probably not for now.

[@jimray937]

@@backtothebarky I thought so. Nice boat. Yes keep her and have a go. I hope one day to do a Jester challenge. In my boat. A dream really, but would be great adventure. Best wishes Jim

[@fat_tommo_goes_boating]

Jabba looks great, it a tomohawk? I haven't been up to Fareham by sea but I'm going to find my mooring up in Christchurch next year, so I can trail my boat to more places like you do

[@backtothebarky]

No she's a Contest 25. Made in the Netherlands 1976. Trailer sailers are the way to go, one day I want to drag one to the med for a laugh! Thanks for watching.

[@OutsideYourZone]

Let’s go champ 🌊🦀

[@backtothebarky]

Yer boy!! The sticker is rigged on the Barky!

[@robamdrewd]

Hi Tom it's rob

[@backtothebarky]

Your username is a bit mad mate!