Sailing the river Thames with Balpha Mast

Balpha Mast of Shetland has developed and patented a foldable mast system for sailing yachts that makes lowering and raising a mast when underway totally easy. Air draught, rigging adjustments, maintenance, repairs, winter storage and transportation will all become less restrictive and costly. The Balpha Mast system makes sailing an easy and go-to leisure activity.

In order to experience the benefits of the Balpha Mast system by himself inventor Stuart Balfour recently made a tour on the river Thames. Stuart sailed “Balpha Global” a sailing yacht fitted with the Balpha Mast system from the Greenwich Yacht Club up to the Twickenham yacht club.

The first day took Stuart from Greenwich to The London Corinthian Sailing Club. During this leg Stuart passed under some famous bridges crossing the Thames of which Tower Bridge, of course, is the most famous one. Stuart’s personal favourite is Albert Bridge known as Trembling Lady as when quantities of people were walking on the bridge it started to vibrate. Troops had to come out of step on passing to avoid damaging the bridge. No bridge on the route was a problem to pass for Balpha Global with the easy lowering of Balpha Mast. At the Corinthian Sailing Club Stuart was happy to demonstrate the Balpha Mast system to interested members of the sailing club.

The next day Stuart set course sailing for the Twickenham yacht club. For boaters and bystanders on shore it was a remarkable sight seeing a sailing yacht under sail sailing the River Thames despite all the bridges. This is exactly what Stuart intended with developing the Balpha Mast system: sailing on waters that normally are inaccessible due to height restrictions.

After another great day of sailing the impressive River Thames with many bridges Stuart reached the Twickenham yacht club. At the yacht club Balpha Global was welcomed by enthusiastic club members who showed great interest in the Balpha Mast system. It was again with great pleasure that Stuart demonstrated the system to the boaters. Like the other Yacht Clubs visited, club members were keen sailors who participate in sailing at many locations throughout the year. These include UK coastal waters and the Mediterranean.

Due to the enthusiastic reactions on the system Stuart has decided to demonstrate the Balpha Mast system to a larger audience. Therefor Balpha Mast will be present at the coming Southampton Boat Show 14th – 22nd September. Balpha Global will be moored at M266 and Stuart Balfour very much looks forward to demonstrating the system to interested yachtsmen.