SeaHawk Forum - Re: Michael Hood

Re: Michael Hood - Pippin #120

Posted by Countrysideguy on
URL: https://forum.seahawk17.org.uk/Michael-Hood-Pippin-120-tp4025366p4025487.html

Well, here is a long overdue update on Pippin, as today I floated her for a third season on Ullswater, Cumbria. She is 50 this year and still going strong, but not looking how you might think.

In 2023, she had some time sailing again, on Ullswater. I don't believe she had sailed in a long while. I thought it was wonderful, although, with her drop keel sealed, getting up wind was very limited, although possible. She would still be fun enough on a beam even if she'd not point much higher. But, my wife wasn't all that interested in sailing. Most of the time, with guests aboard, the boat became a floating small venue for a broader day of walking, Kayaking, paddle boarding, bbq's and so on. Pippin would provide our berth, for up to four of us and two dogs!

So 2024 came along and I decided to make Pip just a little more practical for our needs. I did what some might consider the unthinkable, and/or perhaps the inexcusable. Pippin became a small cabin cruiser, dismast, and with a section of the cabin roof removed and rebuilt higher. She now has a wheel, but can be tiller helmed too. I took a long time making this decision. Knowingly destroying a good boat. Yet, arguably I have extended her lifespan, repurposing her, as a vessel that can now comfortably sleep us for a number of nights on the lake.

Now, 2025, and I have come to really appreciate Pippin as a project that is continually ongoing. So many members of my family and friends have become a part of Pip, and share in my love for her. I'm glad I had a chance to sail her, and glad I regularly get to use her, to create memories and have great amounts of fun on Ullswater. Pippin has had a great life, and I am invested in keeping that going, even if it doesn't always financially make sense.

In a weeks time, she will even have an externally located tool box style deisel heater to plug in, which I am determined to make smart of. The idea being to plug the exhaust in to a fixture mounted on the gunwale, and the hot air pipe be plugged into the cabin thru a vent with removable lid. This shall make it all the more comfortable in the cooler nights, and the dry hear will certainly help keep moisture down.

I shall also be having a brand new trailer made for her this year, since her current one is on the brink of collapse and certainly not towable.

Please see attached photos. I appreciate some SeaHawk owners may be a tad saddened, but I'm sure can see that in this instance, Pippin has been given a good lease of life. She was even used as my means of getting to Howtown for my wedding in October 2023. She is family.

P.S of the owner of Charlotte is ever out on the lake from Glenridding Sailing Centre, I'd love to have a chat. I'm berthed in Rumneymead Harbour down Pooley end.