Just saw this posted on Gumtree this evening. https://www.gumtree.com/p/boat.....1327684951
Aeolis,
1980 home built Twister. Several owners including myself have tried in vain to save her. One former owner rebuilt her decks and glassed over her coachroof. he found her challenging. I bought her and worked on her for a long time repairing her cockpit, ignoring the fact her entire coachroof needed replacing i A search for a new engine for Aeolis, found me somewhat at a crossroads. The choice of saving helix from an imminent wrecking ball, and chucking in the towel on Aeolis was unfortunately with a heavy heart, an easy decision.
I have fond memories in late sunny evenings working for days on Aeolis. Camped by her with a stove and sleeping bag dreaming of the day I would launch her. Reality was never further away than then, but in truth it did not matter, It was the dream that keeps us going. Some will remember the day Helix arrived at her new home under tow by another Twister. She had more bricks on deck than you could imagine, and no ports and not much of a cockpit. winches ripped from her and a pretty poor sight. Our journeys might be trying but what would we do without our Twisters.
Happy Days
Stephen
Helix
Aeolis was also a very big learning curve for me. I bought her in a market that was going only one way and at a very fast rate. They say nothing is cheap, well I spent untold money on Aeolis, I remember just one trip collecting wood from Robbinsons and other items, the car jam packed. hundreds of pounds on nothing to show for it.
I had read books on restoring classic boats, right price, yes right design. something people really like. But I did not take in to account the shear amount it was going to cost. Im sure most of us may have had to learn the hard way. Despite this early experience I look back on it with great memories. I remember one spring day with rain pouring down. perched under a poorly constructed tarp, A fellow shouted up to me what a miserable day it was. quite the opposite i thought. A view overlooking the Dart. coffee and a puff and a handful of tools. Ill never forget those days. Id buy her back today to relive that dream.
Stephen
That was a powerful post to read Stephen, I have a similar story about Norwegian folk boat. I lived on/with/under it for 8 years. I never finished it, but someone did and sailed the Atlantic I believe. My only real worries in those days were whether the old frames would burn long enough to heat the steamer for the new ones!
Justin,
Roqetta
Is Aeolis a GRP HULL?
Hello Justin,
One im happy to share. we all have to cut our teeth so to speak. Yes she is a composite Twister. GRP hull with a wooden top. this however has been glassed over(not by me) her decks have been sheaved. Note the hull does not have deck drains moulded in to the hull. She was built in 1980 in woking. some lovely pics exist of her in Brixham looking Great.
Whats fascinating is how the project boat draws on our imagination. it entices us in. They can make and break dreams. Im too old and wiser to fall for that again, or am I.
Stephen
Helix
Hi Justin,
Thought I might just add, I may have tried to give a romantic impression of me camping next to my boat on summer evenings. no it never happened that way. I used to sleep in the back of my estate car with the tailgate open.
You will have to share your exploits about the Norwegian Folkboat. could be an interesting and amusing post.
Stephen
Helix
Hi Stephen, it's only romantic in hindsight of course. Its almost worth buying a patch of ground near me to store a longer term project on. If I had somewhere to keep her I'd be sorely tempted. Madness I know, but if I wasn't a little mad I would never have bought a boat in the first place anyway. Glad I did though.
Justin,
Roquetta.
My new sapele locker lids are coming along nicely by the way
It's actually really good stuff. My local Richards builders merchant does all kinds, and I've got to know the wood guy down there and shown him pictures of what I do with the wood he supplies (like my strip planked fore hatch). Because he knows where it's going, he's more engaged and sorts me out everytime. Lovely. Each lid top is actually two pieces joined with halvings, lengthways. You'd never know unless you looked very closely at them. So far so good
Justin
Hi everybody,
I have twister Shandie, which some of you know I am rebuilding. Unfortunately I had a severe stroke last year and progress is now very slow. (one arm is next to useless). However I have re-engined her (nanni 14) new prop shaft bearings (wet systen) and totally rebuilt the cockpit with new bearers bulkheads and totally new wood. I am just about to fit the cappimgs on cockpit sides some more painting and varnishing and I will be finished (the cockpit). And then it is just a rewire polish and antifoul! The decks and deck woodwork I will leave until I am afloat as I doubt I will be sailing much due to my arm. Did I mention the new forehatch and instruments. The cost of keeping her is now getting to me (£350.00 per month) Unfortunately, I will be selling her (anyone interested?) to buy a Hardy 20 which I will be able to manage both physically and financially. So it is with heavy heart that I will part with her soon and I will miss the sailing! However, the stroke recovery is slow, so maybe in the future I can sail again with a Twister. I will post photos once cockpit is finished and she is launched.
Regards
Calum.
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