Circumnavigation - 1978 Broom Ocean 37 "Arthur" - Ireland

mersey said:
That's a Broom Ocean 37, not a Broom 37 which is a totally different boat, as shown below it is different to the Ocean 37.
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Having previously owned a Broom 37 (as opposed to the Ocean 37), I can confirm that it was indeed a very different boat and an excellent sea boat too. In fact IIRC, a Broom 37 and a Broom 39 successfully navigated the whole of the UK some years ago and the trip was featured in Motorboat Monthly
 
UPDATE!

For the benefit of those who followed this thread, a brief update. The upcoming edition of 'Motorboat & Yachting' (September 2019) features a six page article (with photos) about Arthur which includes an account of her circumnavigation of Ireland last summer.

Belated thanks to good friend Noel Griffin (Oceanfroggie) for starting this thread and posting updates of our progress as we motored around Ireland last year. It was a fabulous experience (okay, most of it!) and Mary and I enjoyed many wonderful moments particularly the warmth of hospitality extended by the various boating communities that we met along the way.

We will enjoy the memories for many years to come and be able to re-live the voyage through the 75 minute Blu-ray and DVD which I created from the photos and video that we recorded during the various passages. Memories always fade with time but a photo or video clip quickly rekindles the moment!

Paul Scannell ('Arthur')
 
Congratulations Paul. I look forward to the MBY report. As en ex Broom owner myself (1990 37) I know how good these boats are. I dont know whether you know but some years ago a couple of Brooms (39 + 41 IIRC) completed a circumnavigation of the UK. Maybe that could be your next grand tour?;)
 
Yes, look forward to reading the report. We have owned two Brooms - a 37 Ocean like yours Paul and a 41 - great boats! We would like to do a circumnavigation of the UK at some point but with SWMBO originating from N Ireland I wonder whether we should try and do both! :)
 
Yes, I think I remember reading about that trip. A big difference between a Broom Ocean 37 (1977) and Broom 39s and Broom 41s! Our typical cruising speed of 7kts/8kts puts us a long way behind many of the less older models... :-) But we are happy to cruise at those gentle speeds and enjoy our surroundings at a leisurely pace... :-)

Not sure that Arthur and crew (remember we're much older than Arthur!) would venture to undertake such a mammoth trip at this stage in our lives. But, on the other hand, stranger things have happened. It's just nice to be able to enjoy boating, and coastal cruising in particular!
 
An interesting challenge. I suppose there are several options...depending on the point from which you commence your trip. And it would also depend on whether you wanted to include a circumnavigation of the south, west and north coastlines of Ireland or simply passage along the east coast whilst also taking in an area of NI closest to SWMBOs place of origin.

Time was not on my side (I'm not far of twice Arthur's age!) and I'm simply relieved that we got the opportunity to complete the circumnavigation last year. I reckon that we were very lucky with the weather last year in terms of low winds. The north-west and west coasts of Ireland were always going to be the most difficult passages and we had to bide our time. But then we were happy to do that and just wait for each 'window of opportunity'. Patience with regard to coastal cruising is something that we have acquired over the years! Good luck with your circumnavigation.
 
Deleted User said:
Congratulations Paul. I look forward to the MBY report. As en ex Broom owner myself (1990 37) I know how good these boats are. I dont know whether you know but some years ago a couple of Brooms (39 + 41 IIRC) completed a circumnavigation of the UK. Maybe that could be your next grand tour?;)
Click to expand...

I remember the MBM article covering that trip. If memory serves me right they were turned away from a YC marina on the east coast of Ireland during a bit of a blow and it didn't go down well. There is a six page spread in this months MBY covering Paul's circumnavigation.
 
Paul, having now read your excellent report in MBY, I only have one question. Your boating life seems to have been one long wife swapping party. How did you get away with it?;)
 
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