A new owner sought information about ‘Cachalot’ from OGA members via the quarterly newsletter in 1977.

Yes, my ‘Cachalot’, is indeed the same as owned by David and yes, we’ve had a major task involving new carlins, doubling up the main beam (which was broken), new covering boards, several new half beams, new bulwarks, hatches, cabin trunking, interior, the list goes on, and on . . . However, the end is at least in sight and although we do not expect her to be really A1 until next year we anticipate having our first sail in her in May this year, all going to plan. She is a really lovely little yacht and has been well worth all the effort. My wife and I purchased her in November 1975 in Wivenhoe after her having been sunk – and run over by a coaster! One interesting thing we have found is the original advertisement as placed in the Yachtsman of October 1897 by her builder offering her up for sale. Interestingly she was ‘almost ‘completed’ then, yet registered in 1904 as being built in 1900. She appears in Lloyd’s Register in 1902. Her first sails were by English, and purchased in 1902. We think that probably the Boer War accounts for the anomolies. The builder/designer did in fact own a timber yard – I think his claim of ‘built of best materials’ is the reason she is still around today as her last ten years or so seem to have treated her very unkindly. I would be most grateful for any information as to her earlier history; and I would be delighted if any OGA members have information on the efficiency of either Cascover sheathing or Admiralty ‘Impetite’.

OGA member and owner, Ian Kiloh, first published in Old Gaffers Association newsletter, 1977/3