BLUEMOMENT

On the mobile phone so brief, but does anyone know anything about Galante, the 46ish foot wooden yacht at the moorings at the top end of Lochaline? Just dreaming again. Ate at the Whitehouse for Saturday lunch. Staggeringly good.

This one? I posted about her a couple of years ago either here or on Scuttlebutt. I've a feeling Aja or Claymore knew a little bit about her.

She's a fine looking boat, but last time I was up close to her she looked as though she had not been receiving as much attention as perhaps she might. I'm afraid that I do not know the circumstances or her history

That's the one. She was looking pretty awful but rescueable. We (wife & I) have a very soft spot for beauties like this. Very strangely, just before we saw her we heard a radio check request from one of her mother's old boats, a 50' wooden ketch called Molita. If anyone knows anything about Galante's circumstances it would be good to hear. Thanks Shard.

Spot on Donald. Galante is a Robert Clark 10 ton Mystery class. When I sailed on her, she was owned by Tom Raeburn and kept on a mooring at Tighnabruaich. At that time she was green and well kept.

I'm fairly sure she was a Miller of St Monance like Lassiette (my Mum and Dads Robert Clark).

Scott Raeburn his son now has Melora III a Mylne ketch and also Gigha the Mylne Scottish Islander.

Just read the rest of the post - Molita was for sale up at Balvicar about 10 years ago. Black ketch?

Regards
Donald

Fascinating. I wonder who owns her now? She must have been quite something to sail. Yes, that would be Molita but I have only ever seen a photo. They must have owned her at least 30 years ago.

I'm not sure Robert Clark designed a bad boat. His early boats were all designed to hes 'metacentric' rule. This was an attempt to keep the same hull shape in the water no matter the angle of heel. Galante was very much like Lassiette to sail, heeled over to about an inch of gunwhale showing and stopped. I really cant remember a time (other than when being really silly) where water got onto the side decks!


Gigha


Lassiette

I believe Molita had had some work done by Mike McSweeny at Balvicar prior to being put up for sale. She sat on a mooring there for some time but never found out where she went.

Regards
Donald