Epic (for me!) Maiden Voyage

[CaptainBob]

As some of you may know, I recently purchased my first yacht - a 26 foot Westerly Centaur. I had some issues with my keels and the engine, but all are now resolved, and "Genesis" touched the water for the first time in 2 years this week.

I motored down the Dart on tuesday 1st April, and then motored all the way from Dartmouth to Weir Quay (up the Tamar from Plymouth) on wednesday 2nd April. It was my first ever trip in my own boat. My second ever trip in any yacht of any kind and, for me, was a fantastic and somewhat scary experience!

We headed into the wind, with the tide, for all of the approx 30 nautical mile sea leg of the voyage - so with ~3m swell, plus wind over tide, it was thrilling for a total newbie like me - but Genesis took it totally in her stride.

Very chuffed. Very Happy.

Many thanks for all the advice received on this forum, especially to VicS.

Some pictures of my adventure here:

http://www.yacht-forum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=125

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Congrats!

feels good doesn't it!

 

[john_morris_uk]

Congratulations. We are launched a week on Sunday and the excitement of being back on the water never palls. Many many happy days sailing. Centaurs are great boats and will go anywhere.

I love the picture of the travel hoist driver leaning on the hoist. 'Seen it all before a thousand times...'

 

[Salty John]

Congratulations! Great little boat and yours looks in fine shape.
In 1991 we were in Ponce, Puerto Rico and we met a father and son duo, Tony and Sonny, on a Centaur. They were Filipino's; they had bought the boat in the USA, sailed her to UK, then back across to the Caribbean and were heading for the Panama Canal and home to the Philippines!

 

[Seagreen]

Spent many happy hours in my youth on a centaur. Great boats and a great place to sail her from. You are a lucky man. Feel chuffed with yourself.

 

[Frontier]

Congratulations,

Soak up that great feeling while it lasts.

D

 

[chrisgee]

Congrats ----that`s one sail you`ll never forget!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Searush]

And the feeling can last for years - I still get it 30 years on!

When things get tough, just remember, she is a good boat & will look after you if you look after her. Most boats will take much more than their crews.

 

[VicS]

Glad to hear it all went well.

 

[kengill]

Nice, sensible and intelligent way to start. Keep that same sense of proportion as you learn and you'll have a great sailing future. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[doug748]

Thats a pretty big first trip, picked nice weaher as well ('part from the headwinds). Glad to see you got the sails on ashore, with an untried engine you never know.

 

[Lizzie_B]

That feeling never dies.. I had a centaur for my first 'deep water command'. Yours is looking very good. Happy Days.
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[CaptainBob]

Cheers everyone! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Talbot]

You have discovered that little understood meteorological phenonemom (sp) that it doesnt matter which way you want to go, the wind is normally from right ahead!!!

 

[CPD]

Bob, Great news and glad it all went well ! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif