This year we celebrate 75 years since Boleh’s epic 12,000-mile voyage from Singapore to Salcombe. As with any game old lady, the challenge is to keep her fit and active and this year’s Winter Work Package (WWP) concentrates on her ageing joints. Continuing last winter’s hull and mast preservation we are tackling difficult-to-access areas along gunwales and cockpit, as well as defects, essential deep maintenance, and safety certification. Volunteers are again doing much of the work such as the antifouling, but we continue to rely on Now Marine’s skills at Victoria Quay for specialist paintwork preparation and preservation.
75 years ago, Boleh slipped from Red House jetty in Singapore, rigged with 3-part mainsail and wishbone booms. Although Robin Kilroy’s revolutionary wishbones failed on passage to England, windsurfers now rely on them! Heritage Lottery funding enabled us to re-create Robin’s design but, until now, we had no time for trials. So, over this closed season and very much as 2nd priority to the WWP, we are fitting, testing and adjusting the rig (nick-named ‘the Chinese Rig’) stage by stage – watch this space! But first we must ensure Boleh is in all respects ready for her 2025 charity sailing programme and the picture shows her tented for painting at Victoria Quay.
