Some memories about Alec from Steve Townsend

I met Alex in 1973 a total inspiration to buy my first Solo 661 sailing at Reading sailing club with Bill Loy Snr and others. Quite soon I needed to upgrade so I called Alec, the waiting list for Stone Solos was long, after all they were the fastest around, every body wanted one. I was told no wooden boats yet but order one and you can have my composite boat (said Alec). So a very early trip to East Portlemouth with a trailer down those lanes? I made it some how, no Google maps then of course. Arriving at 8.30 or 9.30 in East Portlemouth, Alec was always on Summer time all year, a breakfast was waiting. Anyway, the boat was fast, Needlespar mast and an Ace of Clubs sail. The next boat came from Alec then off to Holland and the one race Nationals at the 1974 Whitstable, a very stormy week. A few years later the yellow fisherman’s outfit clad Alec was seen astride the centrecase, tiller mid back, zooming downwind.(must try that sometime) going like the clappers. Later I asked Alec “how do you put your battens in Alec”, "just finger tight” said ALEC! Next morning, down at Mayflower YC quite early, the Champion was ramming the battens in as hard as he could get them. (Note to brain, avoid all those top tips by Champions. Later I spent a short spell with Alec on the Solo committee with Jack Holt, Danny Butler, Martin Grounds, the great Solo team. We travelled and got to know each other well. Alec had a great life so miss him yes, so we must keep sailing Solos and don’t forget to keep ramming in those battens. ps I have A Stone fully restored 3279. They do not slow down with age despite the traditional methods of boatbuilding used by the Stone Boatyard team.

Alec was not a great swimmer and Kath was an able trolley dolly it appears. Note the smooth lines of the deck, today we have cleat mountings, continuous control lines and travellers!

ps Solo 1212 Whitehall (ie the telephone number for Scotland Yard police was the Stone Boat used for the Solo plug used by many future GRP boats (Ithink).

The magic ingredient that is designed into all the Super Spars mast tubes is the magnesium content. It gives controlled bend and recovery response for differing weight of crew, wind strengths or gusty conditions, allowing the leech of the sail to be more positive.

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