Challenging news from Gweek.
Despite our best efforts working on our main mast we have decided that it is not safe to continue with its use.
We are now looking to replace it which may take some time, so we are heading back to Penzance in the next week to consider our options.
May 2026
Progress with Happy Return at the boatyard in Gweek
The oak planks are being shaped and the seems painted in.
Steaming and fixing new oak planks, making and plastering red lead putty to seams.
Keeping traditional boats and skills alive.
Work is moving along very well, the hull is scraped below the waterline and Andrew is now removing all the old sikaflex and paying new oakham into the seems.
New metal is being added to the rudder by Paul, and the scottle has been removed and will be replaced with new timber.
Tim is busy with repairs to the bulwarks on the starboard bow which is moving forward nicely.
Now on blocks, Happy Return will de-mast the mizzen and move into a shed next week for new planks,fixings and caulking.
This Saturday volunteers from the MBLA will be on board to clean her out and prepare for the works.
If you would like to join us sailing Happy Return or her little sister Mispah, go to
www.happyreturn.org to join our charity
Mispah 21 January 2026
2nd coat of gloss, deck box refurbished by Tim, decks all painted.
Looking for a April launch
Mispah antifouling 8 January plus a new blue strip.
November 2025
Annual bottom scrape and antifouling at Newlyn slip - early April 2025.
We’ve been busy with painting and refurbishing between the rainy days.
The first batch of blocks have been sanded and had one of 3-4 coats of varnish. Perfect weather for it this week
Busy month with all hands on deck preparing and repairing ready for the new season.
We have started out regular maintenance days every Saturday, muster at 10.00.
If you are available to help please contact Mark Mitchell or James Walker.
On the Penzance slip yesterday for our annual anti foul
Well done a great team and thanks to the weather gods for a dry day.
March 2024 - Main halyard block refurbished and ready to go back to John Tellam for varnishing
Hi everyone,
For the next couple of days Happy Return will be moored just behind the shell shop, as the Gry Maritha is undergoing emergency repairs on the north arm of the wet dock. This gives us the opportunity to get the painting finished on the hull and to scrub down the antifouling. This Wednesday and Thursday we will be meeting up and endeavouring to get this underway.
If you are free on ether day and would like to lend a hand, then come on down. Work clothes and wellies are advised as the boat is on the ground. We can only work when the tide is out so work on Wednesday will be between 09:40 and 13:40. Work on Thursday will be the from 10:20 and 14:20.
If you have any questions the call Mark
With the coming of some brighter weather it is planed to get Happy Return into commission this week.
With this in mind it will be a busy week.
Thursday 6th April at 10am, we will be re-rigging Happy Return and getting ready for sailing. Please come along if you wish to help.
Saturday 8th April from 10am, Fitting out ready for sea. All are welcome.
If you have any questions or need to know if you can help, then please contact Mark.
Lastly if you have not yet renewed your membership then please try to do so at your earliest convenance. All the information maybe found on the website.
Maintenance work on Happy Return in readiness for the 2023 season.
The sailing season is fast approaching, and it is time to get our skates on, so just to remind you all the work is planned as follows:-
Saturdays 18th March (tomorrow). Muster at 10am for a couple of hours work, Painting if the weather allows.
Thursday 23rd March. Antifouling on the slip next to the Penzance sailing club. Dress, old clothes, wellington boots and a hat. This is a very busy morning and a good turnout is essential. We will be scrubbing the boat as the tide falls then applying new antifouling to the hull once dry and then painting the black above the waterline. At the same time the anodes will be changed, and some new rivets will be fitted through the garboard planks.
This is a busy day as all work must be complete before the tide rises again. High tide on Thursday is at 0536, so members are asked to muster on the slip between 8 and 8:30am. A stout broom is a very handy tool to bring along. We will be all finished by 2pm. If you can only come for some of that time, that will be great. Please let me know if you are able to come, so that we have an idea of numbers.
If the weather is not suitable on the Thursday, then we will slip to the alternative day on either Friday 24th or Saturday 25th. An email and WhatsApp will be sent out in the event of any changes.
Saturday the 25th , if we are not antifouling will be a maintenance day in the wet dock starting at 10 am. Hopefully the last day of painting.
Saturday 1st April we will be re-rigging Happy Return in readiness to sail. Start time 10am. All are welcome.
Saturday 8th April is planned as the final fitting out day prior to sailing. Please come along.
