D.I.Y delivery?

[Halcyon Yachts]

D.I.Y Delivery trip , have you ever done one. Would you do one.

A lot of people don't have the time to commit to a delivery. Even a short delivery from the East Coast to the Solent or perhaps the South Coast to Scotland can be unpredictable. It is very difficult to book a week off work to go and collect your new boat, just to find out that the weather is atrocious. Sailing with a deadline is never advised!

The other major factor is to do with peoples experience and skills. Most amateur sailors are very good at sailing in their local area by day, but can be put off by longer passages to less familiar places. I still recall the anguish and trepidation endured by my late Father as he used to plan his annual trip across to Brittany.

We have quite a few clients that want the experience of sailing a long distance but know that they will benefit from the support of a professional skipper. To be honest it usually goes one of two ways; and just like Marmite they either love it or hate it!

I know there are a few on here who do deliveries Professionally which I think is different.

In some ways yes, but the challenges are certainly prevalent.

Delivery Skippers rarely know the yacht before the delivery. They often sail with crew that they haven't met before and inevitably they often sail to destinations that they have never been to.

...its when most accidents happen...

Planning is the first stage, but caution is the most important aspect of any yacht delivery. The main thing that experience will teach you is how to anticipate what could happen, therefore enabling you to do all you can to prevent or minimise the risk. Caution regarding weather, crew ability, shipping, pilotage, the vessel, the passage plan, personal safety etc.. etc.. will help prevent accidents whether on a long or a short passage.

Pete

 

[n4585k]

I just did it. 400NM from Corfu to Malta. It was fantastic! Spent half a day sailing from Gouvia on the east side of Corfu to the north and then west to thoroughly check all sails, reefing, systems etc. before leaving land behind. It is the perfect way to 'bond' with your new boat, to learn about how she behaves and things one would like to change. I did it with my brother who is not a sailor. More bonding. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again!

 

[SteveTibbetts]

I'm part way through my delivery, having had to leave the new-to-me boat in a marina close to home. I carefully checked the boat over before leaving but didn't get the chance for a sea trial which I would have liked.
I planned the journey to take into consideration mine and crews comfort levels and some 'in the worst case' planning. If everything had gone perfectly the boat would be home by now but weather intervened.
If you ignore the cost of mine and crews time as we are sailing (it's what I bought the boat for and it's what we enjoy doing) then we are still inside the monetary spend level for using cranes and a lorry. This is despite leaving her on the Isle of Man and her current stay in Holyhead.
I've done more miles so far in this boat just in the delivery trip than I totaled in the old one in all of last year. I've learned more about the boat than I did rebuilding the old one and thanks to the Forth and Clyde Canal I've done more take offs and landings to a pontoon than a lifetime on my mooring on the trots.
If you can afford the time and have some flexibility with travel if you have to park her up somewhere while you go to work then I'd say view it as an opportunity. I'm really glad I didn't go for the 'easy' option of using a lorry.

 

[BelleSerene]

D.I.Y Delivery trip , have you ever done one. Would you do one.

I know there are a few one here who do deliveries Professionally which I think is different.

Anyone else bought a boat some distance away and D.I.Y the boat home.
Just inspired by a couple of other threads. Any stories about D.I Y deliveries. At least one post suggest its when most accidents happen.

I have bought two sail boats and delivered both home myself.
The first one was small old and in need of some TLC. I did my own survey came to the conclusion the keel would probably not fall off, the motor started and the rigging looked ok. Sails were old but serviceable.

The trip home was one of our best trips ever. Just Me my 9yr old daughter my 11yr old son and a teddy bear. It took us 3 days.

My other one is a bit bigger, was a bit further, I did have a survey, fixed what absolutely needed fixing. Left the rest for later. My son and I sailed it home again it was a great trip. About 5 days and about 100 miles coastal off shore.

My planning probably wouldn’t pass muster to some people. But it was good enough for me and to get home safe and sound.

I bought Belle Serene in Cherbourg and took her maiden voyage from there to Poole in Feb '06. Not exactly a long passage - although it was a little stressful as the main halyard came undone at the head and flopped down the mast inside the outer rade at Cherbourg (the French like to use a fisherman's bend - or what my crew that day called a 'French love knot' - instead of a bowline). We rigged the topping lift as a temporary halyard for the day - which was fine for a 60-mile broad reach.

A friend delivered a classic from inner Holland to Poole not long ago, for himself.

There's no better way to get used to your own boat - but I would recommend a shakedown sail in situ first!

 

[Croak]

I bought a previously submerged Catamaran with the main beam cut out, in South Wales, "fixed" the beam and made an outboard bracket out of some scrap scaffold planks and motored it up to Cumbria with a just bought second hand motor.

Great fun

 

[RupertW]

I've done it each time we've bought a boat (although 2 boats were already close to my planned marina).

It was very much part of the attraction of buying for me - a chance for a one way trip instead of having to do a circular one, and new harbours and cruising grounds. I was even tempted to buy a boat in Pwllheli just to get the chance to sail it round to the Solent. Alas there was an equally good option in Felixstowe Ferry and that made a nice set of day sails.

Obviously it's different once you get to know the boat but I change marinas every couple of years partly for the Autumn or Spring one way delivery trips - e.g. Weymouth to Ramsgate, or currently Split to Corfu (although that's been a bit problematic with the boat left in Italy at the moment after a beam holding up the rudder stock snapped).

My best memories tend to come from the deliveries but the most pleasure at the time from the local trips.

 

[stuartwineberg]

Took a 25 foot single engine mobo from Falmouth to Hamble. Good points - paid for an engineer on the test sail so reasonably sure that worked. Chose a good weather window. Took enough crew. Told coastguard where I was going. Had good safety gear inc spare VHF (needed). Took our time over several days. Bailed out at Poole when the weather turned and had the patience to leave her there and wait for improvement. Signed up for Seastart. Bad points - didn't check the trim tabs (only one worked and the previous owner had compensated by putting lead rolls in the bilges which moved around in the open sea). Main VHF received OK but as it transpired didn't transmit very well (turned out to be a corroded mike connection). Fuel gauge was miles out and combined with a tank that "burped" when only 3/4 full led us to run out near Lulworth. Seastart were great - towed us to a buoy in Swanage, cleaned out the filters (I had taken spares), gave us some fuel to get to Poole and fill up, bled the system and away.

 

[Uricanejack]

A lot of people don't have the time to commit to a delivery. Even a short delivery from the East Coast to the Solent or perhaps the South Coast to Scotland can be unpredictable. It is very difficult to book a week off work to go and collect your new boat, just to find out that the weather is atrocious. Sailing with a deadline is never advised!

The other major factor is to do with peoples experience and skills. Most amateur sailors are very good at sailing in their local area by day, but can be put off by longer passages to less familiar places. I still recall the anguish and trepidation endured by my late Father as he used to plan his annual trip across to Brittany.

We have quite a few clients that want the experience of sailing a long distance but know that they will benefit from the support of a professional skipper. To be honest it usually goes one of two ways; and just like Marmite they either love it or hate it!



In some ways yes, but the challenges are certainly prevalent.

Delivery Skippers rarely know the yacht before the delivery. They often sail with crew that they haven't met before and inevitably they often sail to destinations that they have never been to.



Planning is the first stage, but caution is the most important aspect of any yacht delivery. The main thing that experience will teach you is how to anticipate what could happen, therefore enabling you to do all you can to prevent or minimise the risk. Caution regarding weather, crew ability, shipping, pilotage, the vessel, the passage plan, personal safety etc.. etc.. will help prevent accidents whether on a long or a short passage.

Pete

I don't disagree with anything you say. The suggestion about accidents being more likely is someone else.

Finding the time is difficult. For me I was in a position when I could. It meant waiting from March until June. Not a big concern as moorage was cheeper in the boats location.
I would have liked to do the trip in May but timing was impossible. Time of year waiting led to less likely bad weather though more likely to have headwinds. I had twice as much time available than I thought I needed. Even so final preparation still took longer than anticipated.

Planning of any long trip is essential though the extent and detail can vary. Poor planning and preparation can lead to problems on any voyage. I think a moderately expierenced sailor with a bit of common sense can accomplish the task safly. If they have the time and can find crew.

I think it is important to be realistic about the condition of the boat.

Many sailors may never have sailed out of there own locality or sailed overnight. For me something new is a challenge to look forward to. To others its quite different like you say some people like marmite. Can't stand it my self.

 

[Uricanejack]

Some of the deliveries I've done were definitely not pleasure. Sometimes you do get a nice boat all ready to go, other times you get one that has not seriously been to sea for years: first time in any weather the engine dies with crud stirred up from the bottom of the tank, and almost every bit of string on board breaks, boat leaks, electrics go down etc. And the new owner won't pay for a week's work pre-trip. "I'm going to get all that done at my local yard, much cheaper than at XXX"

I not trying to say anything against professional deliveries as an option. Just saying I enjoyed D.I Y. I think it is within the capabilities of the average amature sailor if they have the time.
Not being a delivery skipper, I would think one of the skills which comes from the expierence is know which jobs to walk away from. The amature needs to be realistic about the condition of the boat and accept if it needs work prior to the trip it needs to be done. I had the advantage of a fresh survey which I attended with the surveyor so I had a pretty good idea of the boats condition. I also had some work done in a local yard. where I got some good advice.

 

[Habebty]

Brought my brand new Sadler back from Southampton to Ipswich after a 1 week "holiday" to get used to the boat round the Solent. Did some of the trip singlehanded as the crew had to bail out at Eastbourne due to weather and work commitments. If own boat, spend a week or so getting used to her before embarking on a long trip or ensure you can day sail with refuges in event of gear failure.
Delivered a boat from Ipswich to SIBS nonstop with some mates, and another delivery from Weymouth to Ipswich non stop 2 up.

As a singlehander, most sailing holidays round the coast are week long delivery trips with a short stay at the destination before it's time to head home.

Just bonus holiday sailing time!

 

[KellysEye]

I've done two. Bought boat in the Hamble and sailed it to Burnham on Crouch, day sail in the summer. Then sold boat in Lymington and helped deliver her with new owner to Scarborouh, four and a half days reaching fast all the way and the best sail ever.

 

[rjp]

30 odd years ago bought a Westerly Pageant in Hamble intending to hire a trailer and suitable vehicle to bring it home by road. Being a Pageant which had a rather wide keel base the trailer proved a bit problematic, but I eventually located a suitable one to hire along with a Range Rover to pull it. A couple of days before the move I had a call to say that the previous hirer had wrecked the trailer! Not long after I heard that the yard where the boat was ashore had gone into administration. Thought it prudent to get it out of there. SWMBO, my usual crew, had a flight booked to the States. No other crew available. Nothing for it but a singlehander to Conwy.

In the event it turned out to be one of my greatest experiences. Managed to book 2 weeks off work. Planned it out in roughly 60 mile legs so mostly day sailing, except for a 24 hour leg across the Bristol channel from Penzance. Slightly scarey at times but that's sailing isn't it. I got more knowledge of sailing and self during that trip than any time before or since.

 

[nimbusgb]

DIY Delivery = normal cruising surely?

 

[RupertW]

DIY Delivery = normal cruising surely?

To me the big difference is that its not a circular trip to and from your base, it's a one way trip often from an unfamiliar destination where eating up miles and sailing is the aim, not the shoreside stops. So a nice contrast to a typical cruise for me.

 

[PaulMcC]

Bought my boat in Ipswich and sailed her back to the Solent. No time off work to do it as one trip so did it over three weekends leaving it in Dover then Shoreham during the working week. I definitely think that was a better way to go for me with a new boat rather than getting too ambitious, taking time off and tryign to do it in one go. Doing long days on a new boat is tiring and after a full weekend I needed to catch up on sleep. And when equipment went wrong I just had to get to the next stop and then have the weekdays to do a bit of research, ask questions on the forum, buy what I needed and be all ready again for the next leg. A couple of week long stays in marinas is fairly cheap and the trip felt like a holiday (well mostly!)
I think this approach would be my first choice another time (assuming the distances weren't huge).

 

[Skylark]

A boat is built to be sailed, imho!

I've bought two boats distant from home port. The first home delivery was Stockholm to Gt Yarmouth (then by road to North Wales because I ran out of free time). The second was Hamble to North Wales.

Highly recommended

 

[maby]

Frankly, there's no other sensible way. If you don't feel competent as skipper for the trip, find a well recommended skipper (paid if necessary) and sail as crew yourself. I've never quite understood why anyone would buy a boat and pay someone else to have the pleasure of sailing her home while getting none of that pleasure himself. ....

Peter

It can depend on work commitments - we had intended to bring our current boat back from the Hamble to the Medway ourselves with the help of some very experienced friends, but the arrival of an unforecast gale put paid to that. By the time the weather had cleared, both our friends and we had lost our holiday window and we were faced with the choice between contracting a professional delivery crew or paying a lot of money in Hamble mooring fees till we could all get the time off simultaneously to do it ourselves.

Sailing boats are slow things and a moderate distance delivery run can take several days - sometimes DIY is not really an option.

 

[LittleSister]

DIY Delivery = normal cruising surely?

No. I think the defining thing (for me) is a unknown boat with uncertainty about it's condition and gear.

I 'delivered' my current boat from Lymington to Harwich, single handed in the depths of winter, but consider that just a cruise, because I'd had the boat for some years and was well aware how everything worked and that it worked. (So just the same as a summer cruise, but much colder and much shorter days!)

 

[Cariadco]

Sailed my first delivery, from Athens to Corfu. The Broker had kittens!! me and my mate turned up off a Sleazyjet on a friday, Taxi to the Marina, sent my mate off for some shopping, filled the tanks and..well..buggered off!! Piece of Cake.
I had flown to Athens, three days before to inspect the boat, but the owner gave me until Saturday to pay and take it, to get the boat for the price I offered.
The next one, many years later was my current boat. Set off from Gib, gang of mates, thought of everything before setting off, and after the first (hell of a) night (F7-8) Rudder Top Bearing went bang. Dropped the boat off in Almerimar, paid the mooring and got the local Brit boys to fix it, sent the lads back home and 2 months later turned up, just me and another mate.
10 days later, we popped up in Corfu. Piece of Cake.....except it took us days and days to get 'round the bottom if Sicily, not a breath of wind. How I wish I'd decided to go through Messina.
Excellent fun and I'd completely recommend it. Always a bit of a gamble though, as you don't really know the boat, upto that point.