Old Photos Of Nervous Tension

Here are a couple of ropey old photos of Nervous Tension I scanned in from a scrap of paper which someone had printed out probably circa 1996 when I think she underwent a bit of a refurb.

"Nervous Tension" sitting in her cradle. You can see the prominent chine shape in the topsides.

"Nervous Tension" sitting in her cradle. This shows the rather blunt stem top very well.

Extension 24 Yacht Article

A magazine article about the Extension design Quarter Tonner. Originally published in the January 1974 edition of Yachting World.

Extension 24 Yacht Article - Page 1

Extension 24 Yacht Article - Page 2

She’s an interesting design, built purely for racing with a flush deck, tiny cockpit and a strange almost-chine in the topsides. I expect most will have had the same treatment as Nervous Tension and made a little more accommodating.

A Sunny Day On Nervous Tension

Took the opportunity of the sunny weather to get down to my new project yacht, Nervous Tension. Langstone Harbour was absolutely beautiful despite the rather chilly southerly blowing straight up the main channel. Massive thanks to James for giving me a tow to the boat after I missed the tide quite spectacularly (Thanks, M25 roadworks!). It runs fast and strong through the fairway at the harbour entrance; much faster than my little arms can row.

There’s no doubt there’s a fair bit of work to do on her to get her sailing and even more to get her tidy, but there’s potential!

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Starboard Quarter

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Looking Forward

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Starboard Midships

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Port Quarter

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Twin Spreader Rig

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Controls & Instruments

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Mast

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Bow

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Bow Damage

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Looking Aftward

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Twin Spreader Rig

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Damage To Port Deck

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Down Below

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Down Below

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Cabin Roof

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Damaged Stringer, Port Side

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Damaged Stringer, Port Side

Extension 24 "Nervous Tension" - Port Quarter Berth

Most of the damage is on the topsides with a big chunk missing from the starboard side of the transom, starboard bow and port midships (causing the stringers to come away on the inside). I figured you guys could just imagine this for the time being as the tide was running strong by this time and I didn’t fancy dropping my phone in the bottom of the rather leaky inflatable.

The plan is to get my old seagull outboard running, re-hang the rudder (requires a new pintle and probably some repairs to the transom crossbeam) then motor her down to Southsea Marina for a weekend of cutting, gluing and painting.

A New Addition To The Fleet

I’ve been a bit rash this week and bought another boat! Nervous Tension is an Extension, which is pr0bably pretty meaningless to most people but I’ve got a folder full of bumph with her including old magazine articles which I’ll try to get scanned in. Essentially, she’s a 24′ flush decked quarter tonner from 1975, designed by Jac de Ridder and built in cold-molded mahogany. Currently in dire need of some repairs after coming off her mooring a few weeks ago. Still, I love a challenge and am looking forward to some great summer’s sailing.

Nervous Tension on her mooring in Langstone Harbour