The Boat

Snapdragon 27

ARDTALLA / ARDTELLA, and before that acording to the Particulars of Ship Stations she was 'Columba'.
(When researching the boat, I have found 'Ardtalla' to be spelt either of the ways above)
I will be renaming her next year when she gets a fresh coat of paint, and in a nice time hounoured renaming ceremony.
Did you used to own this boat? If so I would be very interested to hear from you, and learn a lot more about her history, where she has been etc. Please use the 'Contact Me' page.

Primary Information

Model:	Snapdragon 27
Built By:	Thames Marine
Hull Type:	GRP
Construction Year	Believed 1974 - 1982 - Home Completed
LOA:	27'2" (8.28m)
LWL:	22'9"  (6.93m)
Beam:	8'6" (2.59m)
Draft:	4'6"9 (1.37m)
Engine:	Inboard Yanmar YSE12 Diesel 12bhp
Berths:	5/6
Keel:	Encapsulated Long Fin Keel
Rig:	Bermudan Mast Head Sloop
Displacment:	5500lbs (2495kg)
Headroom:	6' (1.83m)

A PDF is attached below which gives the standard spec and layout for a Snapdragon 27.

Standing Rigging:

Location	Type	Circ (")	Circ (mm)	Dia (mm)	Length '	Length "	Length M
Forestay	1x19 SS	3/4	19	6	33'5.1/2"	401.50	10.20
Backstay	1x19 SS	5/8	16	5	37'0.1/4"	444.25	11.28
Main Shrouds	1x19 SS	5/8	16	5	32'8.1/4"	392.25	9.96
Lower Fore Shrouds	1x19 SS	5/8	16	5	17'1"	205.00	5.21
Lower Aft Shrouds	1x19 SS	5/8	16	5	16	192.00	4.88

Running Rigging:

Location	Type	Circ (")	Circ (mm)	Dia (mm)	Length '	Length "	Length M
Main Halyard	3 Strand Prestreched	1 1/4	32	10	63'1.1/4"	757.25	19.23
Jib Halyard	3 Strand Prestreched	1 1/4	32	10	63'1.1/4"	757.25	19.23
Mainsheet	Plaited Terylene (polyester)	1 1/4	32	10	50	600.00	15.24
Jib Sheets	Plaited Terylene (polyester)	1 1/4	32	10	60	720.00	18.29
Genoa Sheets	Plaited Terylene (polyester)	1 1/4	32	10	57	684.00	17.37
Storm Jib Sheets	Plaited Terylene (polyester)	1 1/4	32	10	47	564.00	14.33
Spinaker Halyard	3 Strand Prestreched	1 1/4	32	10	63.00	756.00	19.20
Spinaker Sheets, ea	Plaited Terylene (polyester)	1 1/4	32	10	33	396.00	10.06
Spinaker up/down haul	3 Strand Prestreched	7/8	22	7	38	456.00	11.58
Topping Lift	3 Strand Prestreched	7/8	22	7	63	756.00	19.20
Trackside Outhaul	3 Strand Prestreched	1	25	8	4	48.00	1.22

Equipment:

All Equipment is Currently Removed For Refit.

Download
Snapdragon 27 Specifications

The Dream

It has been a long time dream and goal of mine to sail around the world. This dream started to become reality when talking to one of my best friends about it... It was his dream too! We have taken some inspiration from Nick Jaffe and his adventures in his Contessa 26.

We shook on it there and then that we would put a plan into action. That was in October 2009

We went back-packing in Australia for six months, and the whole time we were talking about 'the dream' and used the opportunity to spend a week on 'Condor' a Maxi Yacht with great racing history. We sailed around the Whitsunday Islands on the Queensland Coast.

When I arrived back in the UK in May 2010 I started looking for a boat which would be suitable as a 'project' which we could modify to suit our needs. I found the ideal boat in August 2010, she was a bit rough around the edges and needed some cosmetic work. I got her for the price I had budgeted and I have started removing her interior in preparation for her refit over Winter of 2010 / Summer 2011.

Full details of the refit will be uploaded here and on my website at www.goodtarp.com

About Me

Hi / Good'day / Greetings / Welcome etc

My name is John, but my friends call me JK (My Initials)

I am 27 years old, born in Yorkshire, England. I was schooled and attended college in London. I then went on to work for an international  finance company for nearly eight years.

I moved to Australia for two years, and am now living back in the UK whilst studying and preparing for my round the world journey.

My original career was in the IT and Data Control industry, but I am now retraining as a Naval Architect and Marine Surveyor.

First Post

This is where I will track the refit of my Snapdragon 27 in preperation of a circumnavigation in my small boat / yacht via the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

It will also feature ongoing details on my Degree in Small Ship / Yacht Naval Architecture with Westlawn; and my training as a Marine Surveyor with MPI at the International Institute of Marine Surveyors (IIMS). I am currently recognised as AMRINA - Associate Member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects.

This is the first time I have posted on this site, but old blog updates from my main site www.goodtarp.com will be copied here in the next few days.