Another reason for not sleeping.

Allan

Allan

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 Mar 2004
Messages
4,696
Location
Lymington
Visit site
Yesterday the surveyor inspected Cobby girl and pronounced her in good condition and very well looked after. I am now fully committed to spending every penny of my kids inheritance on her. In truth, although I am a little nervous, I am really over the moon. We plan to bring it round via the Scillies at the end of August.
Allan
 
Where's Cobby girl at the moment?

I think I might have the same sort of trip as you planned. My Contessa 26 is in a boatyard in Chichester Harbour and should be coming round to Portishead, hopefully via the Scillies, in late September. I did the sail from Newlyn past The Smalls on a different boat in late June and it was fantastic: sailing along with the dolphins, spinnaker up, watching Cape Cornwall disappear behind our stern: top.
 
She is up the river Frome in Poole harbour. We hope sail, Poole, Weymouth, Dartmouth, Falmouth, Helford, Newlyn, Scillies, Padstow, Clovelly, Ilfracombe then Cardiff. I think this is a bit ambitious but if we dont make it we may have to leave her in Padstow.
I sailed with some mates to the Scillies in June and would love to take SWMBO there. If the weather gets in the way we may have to miss them this time and just head straight round the corner.
Allan
 
Don't want to put a damper on this, but plan to sail her for at least a week before your passage. Our boat had a good survey and was very well looked after when we bought her, but it was only after taking ownership that all the little problems started to bcome evident (charging circuit kaput for example). Surveyors check very little (if anything) regarding on-board systems, sails, engine, instruments, etc. In retrospect I'm glad we DIDN'T sail her to her new home (had her trucked instead), but it was late autumn which decided the matter for us.
 
I have given it some thought and although we will have a weekend sailing before we go I know there are some risks. The main reasons for taking the risk are:
1. Most of the main systems, charging, batteries, instruments, GPS etc. have independant back-ups.
2. I have spent more time on other peoples boats than on my own and seem to always have small breakages to cope with.
3. I gave up the "safe life" option many years ago and like the feeling of a little risk.
4. My crew, SWMBO and 25 year old son can each sail the boat for extended periods while I sort any problems.
I should say that I do take you point and I am not being glib about it. I have been fixing stuff as a maintenance engineer for 37 years, so I am confident I can cope if things go wrong.
I hope that doesn't sound too arrogant.
Allan
 
Well I've had the survey and agreed the price etc. I don't want to tempt things so won't change it until the deal is done.
Allan
 
Thanks for the good wishes. Another factor is that the boat is in Poole, so if we sail for a few days then find a problem we will be at least a little closer to home. My daughter will be on standby to bring a car to anywhere we may end up. The only place we will be on our own is if we get to the Scilly isles and we will only go there if I am happy with all the systems and equipment on the boat.
Allan
PS. The lack of sleep is worrying something may go wrong with the sale at the last minute, the trip is less of a worry.
 
I bought my Halcyon 27 (last boat) from The Hamble.

She was ashore when I bought it. We sailed her home non stop, after just a days trial sail in the Solent.

Couple of things went wrong straightaway. The autohelm did not work, so we had to steer the boat the whole way. Radar reflector fell apart, and nearly sliced me in two. Mainsail was so thin that it ripped.

Finally the engine seized 5 miles away from Swansea!

All in a great sail, we copped with it all, and the boat gave us 7 years of great sailing.

I would bet that she was still more reliable and a brand new yacht straight out of the builders yard.

We learnt so much, and still chuckle about the minor panics.....

I lost sleep, not through worry, but anticipation of a greta adventure.

I actually had the voyage published in Sailing Today not long after it was firts published. And got £300 for my troubles!!

Good luck and enjoy

Mj
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top