TheFlyingBoatman
@flying_boatman
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The Flying Boatman repairs oars, paints trophy oars, renovates singles, teaches rigging, and generally messes about with boats.
Joined July 2016
@JuniorRowing It's a difficult issue, but it's still fairly clear cut. Just because it's only a very small percentage of competitors doesn't make it right. Just because the current scientific data on the specific topi isn't wide reaching or deep doesn't mean it overcomes the glaringly obvious.
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Man in my local cafe had a lovely gold box. "Champagne for the weekend?"."No. An Oscar for sound design.".Twickenham Studios for Maverick.
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@rose_h_s What was it?.A guy in a Audi abused his "bird" in the street and then threatened to "iron me out" when I intervened. I was at a loss what to say. Although I did get it all on bikecam, and have discovered his name and business address. .
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Flying Boatman with The Apprentice. "One day all this can be yours"
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And this is why the trailer driver always checks every boat before departure.
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Row past @HenleyRegatta .In 1979 his mother sewed on his badge. He's had this replacement kit done the same way in her memory.
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The @HenleywRegatta has come to a successful end for another year, and two wonderful ladies have been recognised for their great contribution to HWR. Pleased to have helped create these tokens of appreciation.
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Putting 400 stickers on 400 racks @HenleyRegatta isn't the best job, but sticking your own club's name on a rack makes it all worth it. @Twickenham_RC
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The Oracle has spoken:.I explained that these were Cambridge Blue but The Apprentice replied,."No, Papa. It's green. Cambridge Green.".If anyone wants to come and tell her that she's wrong, you're on your own. @CUBCsquad @Concept2UK
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A friend shared this image from his workshop. Recently completed. He clearly needs help. @thinkdefence @matthewcpinsent
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Another repaired and renovated boat delivered. She's been through the wars a bit, but not in bad shape for a 35+ year old. Now the holes are fixed, hull sealed and shiny, and all the internal running gear revamped.
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Nevermind your @HenleyRegatta Stewards badges, Leander or Remenham club badges. THIS is the most valuable and rare ticket in town.
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Rowers: this is why weirs are dangerous.
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When boathouse space is at a premium and you have to 'live' on the trailer. Special angled trailer racks for rigged boats to fit (width ok for driving too).
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The @HenleyRegatta boat tent is empty, the blazer is back in the wardrobe, and @SleepstoHRR has restarted the rowing egg timer. and I'm back to the joys of stripping paint that is older than me off timber oars.
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It's only just had the first of five coats of varnish, but she's looking much better already.
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Bit of a "busman's holiday", but very lucky that I could visit the Empacher boat works and get a quick tour.
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Just in case anyone was wondering what all that masking tape was for.
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Seen in a school boathouse. Each pot contains the essential rigger bolts etc for each boat. Rowers de-rig and return pot to hole. Boatman/coach bring pots to regatta. Sorted. Nice.
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Rowing folks. OARphans and SurvivOARS Service. An online database helping to match up lonely oars from broken sets around the country ("TindOAR"?🥰). Save your budget. Save the planet. Etc. Good idea or not?.Feedback and ideas please.
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Rabbit has hopped down to the Fawley Bar @HenleyRegatta to meet friends. She's made a healthy and rabbit friendly choice with a drink full of fruit, vegetables, and leafy greens.
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The oldest set of @concept2 oars I've worked on. I can actually see Dick and Pete having personally made these ones.
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If you are in Butler's Field or Lion Meadow @HenleyRegatta and rigging is going slowly, I can help you out.
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The rower that I rigged using washers to fix the pitch managed to come second in her division at @ScullersHead , beating rowers that she had recently lost races to. Rigging matters.
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I had to ask a Master Boat Builder to help me identify the timber needed to replace the washboards on a 40 y.o. single scull. Not only could he do that, he even had a piece that he could give to me. Brazilian Cedar. Not available anymore.
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I loaned tools and spare parts to the @rowingcanada boatman, and John has gifted a wonderful new lapel pin for my collection. @HenleyRegatta
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Both Rabbit and I fashionably dressed in white @HenleyRegatta. Day 1 blazer, Karachi Boat Club, Pakistan
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And here's under the covers of an all timber 1970s Carl Douglas
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Although I am fairly sure that this marquee isn't that old, this family have been racing and spectating at @HenleyRegatta since 1956 (earliest badge stitched onto it).
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The first coat looks good. Hopefully the 5th one is good too.
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Quite pleased with that. My boatman friend who is teaching me the finer points of spray painting gave me a solid 8/10.
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After assisting a couple of @HenleyRegatta international crews with rigging, tools, and spare parts I quickly grabbed my toolbox. without checking that it was latched properly. I'd been meaning to empty it and reorganise it anyway. Really.
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It's nice to see completed jobs arrive with the client and go on display.
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I'll be in the Boat Tent at Henley in the mornings from tomorrow. Although not part of my official role, I have my rigging tools and some minor spares with me. If you are in urgent need of help, just ask for me at the Boat Tent Officials office. @SleepstoHRR @HenleyRegatta.
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Update to Wednesday's incident:.Have found another witness, my helmet cam footage is crystal clear, and by sheer luck managed to discover this man's name and the location of his nearby business. Oh dear Jimmy, the Twickenham police will only need to walk 150m to your place.
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You really should visit the gallery underneath the @HenleyRegatta grandstand. This wonderful vase is by @annemariesj
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A client has delivered 36 oars for parts and repair. I've arranged them into the following piles:.Ok.Oh dear. Oh my!.Oh God!.
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After spending all day @HenleyRegatta I do what any normal boatman does. Go home, cook for the family, prepare for bath/story/bed time. then go to the workshop to paint a dozen oars for a visiting international crew.
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Phil the Beef is heading home to Australia. He's talking a @Twickenham_RC blazer and trophy blade with him. Thanks for being our Director of Rowing for the past 3 years.
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Ahhh. stuck in traffic coming down the hill into Henley. It all feels real now. @SleepstoHRR @HenleyRegatta.
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Client has sent images of the job I delivered during @HenleyRegatta . A collection of Stewards, Leander, and Remenham badges on a large mounted rudder.
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The ultimate rigger jigger. Gold anodised titanium from the tool kit issued with a McLaren F1 sports car. Sadly I had to hand it back to the man from McLaren.
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That's it for the workshop this year. Have a wonderful Christmas.
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My work here is done. Club now has two boats back in service. Time to fly home.
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My schoolboy Latin is a bit rusty, but I'm fairly certain this says something like "bowsiders can get in and sit down".
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Finally delivered, despite dreadful holiday traffic.
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When 40+ year old boats arrive complete with period correct fittings.
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Arrived in the workshop. Pair of trophy oars from 1896 and 1897.
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If you can't afford a custom single scull from @CDRacingShells , then one of these wonderful marquetry boxes in the @HenleyRegatta gallery would satisfy you. By
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"How do we get stickers on our boat?".@HenleyRegatta has a special 'Sticker Patrol' sneaking around the Boat Tent. Meet Malcolm and Roger, The Sticker Fairies.
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Come to the tropics to fix boats, they said. It will be fun, they said.
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The clear coat always brings up the colour. Ready for delivery (in a couple of weeks).
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Wondering if there was any interest in a service that helped to match up oars that had lost their partners (ie usable blades from now incomplete sets)? This might save a few clubs some money and prevent waste. An 'oarphans' service?.
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First blazer of my 2024 @HenleyRegatta . My "home" club in Melbourne, Australia. Richmond Rowing Club.
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Just completed a complete repaint of an older trophy blade that had been dropped and severely damaged. Spoon repaired and paint job recreated in detail from photographs. @ThamesTradesmen
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John is a true gentleman and a little bit of what makes @HenleyRegatta so special.
"Every year's a different experience" 🎨. Meet John Hooper, the man bringing colours to the #HRR oars 🙌 #HRR24
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The Apprentice is spoilt. I admit it. Here is the 'pudding' I made tonight. Caterpillar from a KitKat finger and some smarties.
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4 coats and no polishing yet, but pleased with progress.
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Someone collected a trophy blade from my home last night and was quite surprised by the contents of my garage. I sheepishly admitted that I had a thing for dirty old oars.
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The finished product. Every oar needed a couple of tiny touch ups where paint was able to sneak under tape joins, but will look great mounted on the wall.
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A copy for a rower who wasn't able to get a blade back in the day. All done with the aid of photos from a crewmate. Oh, and Happy Birthday from your husband.
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