Many years ago, a master painter was putting the finishing touches to the side of his Vintage Merlin. By using a roller followed by a foam brush and the very gentlest of pressure he had achieved a finish that was almost too good to be true. Suddenly, a passing Laser helm bumped against the wet hull and left a long smear. The painter was horrified. ‘Hey!’ he cried. ‘You’ve just brushed your sleeve against my varnish.’

The boater paused, and glanced at the patch of varnish on his arm. ‘Oh, that’s OK,’ he said. ‘It’s an old wetsuit…’