Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Home Build International Moth Blog 3: Valkyrie moves out of the living room

by James Sainsbury 13 Feb 2018 00:30 PST 13 February 2018
James Sainsbury's new home-built International Moth 'Valkyrie' moves out of the living room © James Sainsbury

Who's a lucky boat then? This weekend, we moved Valkyrie out of the living room and into an actual workshop. Huge thanks to the Turning the Tide project for loan of the unit. Chantelle is very happy to now have her living room back! I'm sure the neighbours will not miss the Dremmel noise either...

Yesterday, the main platform structure has all been bonded together and it's the first time I have been able to stand back and see the boat as a whole. I couldn't help but just stop and stare. Not sure there has been another Moth like it.

The next step will reveal some secrets! It's time to laminate up the deck area, now that all the core has been cut to fit. Valkyrie is going to be a solid platform with a deck sweeper sail. I am hoping to be on the water for its maiden sail late April to early May.

Hopefully the next blog will be of a completed hull.

Thank you to the continued help and support from; Turning the Tide project, Atomik UK High performance Sailing, Easy Composites, Allspars, Jonti and Kingfisher Yacht Rope.

Related Articles

Kiel Canal to get to Portsmouth?
Is this Holcim PRB & Allagrande Mapei answer to make The Ocean Race Europe Leg 2 start? While the five IMOCA yachts still racing in Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe are closing in on Portsmouth, the race is on for Holcim PRB and Allagrande Mapei to do their repairs after their crash at the start. Posted on 12 Aug
Some thoughts on “Asteria's Final Voyage”
Tapio Lehti's rescue story in the GGR film “Asteria's Final Voyage” If you've sailed offshore, you understand how dependent you are on your boat, its systems, and your own seamanship. Finnish sailor Tapio Lehti discovered this firsthand in the Golden Globe Race 2022. Posted on 12 Aug
Double Down
Rahan, Léon, and Toucan - all great efforts, all winners, and all oceans apart Still blown away by the incredible efforts of Rahan in the Transpac, and now there is Léon in the Fastnet, and here in Australia, Toucan scores int he Sydney to Gold Coast race Posted on 10 Aug
A Day at the Keyhaven Regatta!
A montage of the sailing and surroundings which I hope you enjoy Sunday saw the first races of the 2025 Keyhaven Regatta at Keyhaven Yacht Club, a small club at the western end of the Solent in the UK. It also happens to be where I do my sailing from! Posted on 10 Aug
Just another event?
Is Cowes Week still a pinnacle regatta? We've been blessed with incredible sailing so far this summer in the UK (for once) with great breeze much of the time, and some of the best events in the world gracing our shores. But, like with Storm Floris, there are clouds on the horizon... Posted on 4 Aug
Fastnet Race, RS Aeros, Isle of Wight
Fastnet Race, RS Aero Worlds, GL50s, Isle of Wight circumnavigation When the conversation turns to the world's greatest middle-distance bluewater races, talk tends to linger on the Rolex Fastnet Race, which started on Saturday, July 26, and for great reason. Posted on 29 Jul
Of Ospreys, Eagles, Falcons, and Moths
Birds of prey. Insects. All of them airborne? How does it all apply here? Time to find out! All are airborne. The first three are birds of prey. The last one is an insect. All are so completely different. The first three have also had their name, formidable qualities and fantastic reputations applied to fantastic aircraft made by Boeing. Posted on 27 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race Start - view from Hurst Castle
A video montage as the fleet went out of the Solent I went out to Hurst Castle with his camera and drone to capture the action as the boats, ranging from the mighty Ultim trimarans, through to the IMOCAs and grand prix yachts competing in the 2025 Admiral's Cup went through the narrrows out of the Solent. Posted on 26 Jul
(More than) A Day at the Races
The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor, and I don't think I've ever known a time when so many great events are happening concurrently. Posted on 22 Jul
Were the Roos Robbed in Portsmouth?
We discuss the Race 6 Penalty with SailGP's Chief Umpire Craig Mitchell The high speed, short course action of SailGP is thrilling to watch, but inevitably causes tight situations and means the Umpires have to react quickly to decide who is right and who is wrong. Posted on 22 Jul
Selden 2020 - FOOTERSea Sure 2025Lloyd Stevenson - AC INEOS 1456x180px BOTTOM