Happy Day... I've got one!

[Fire99]

Well ladies and gents, just in case you didn't see from the end of a rather long thread, i've finally bought myself a little Yacht.

She's a 23ft Triple-Keel Snapdragon. She has a 10hp 4-stroke Outboard and a selection of sales.
The interior accommodation is pretty old school and the forward berths/toilet layout is very amusing with the two berths physically separated by bulkheads and a nice little tunnel to the toilet near the bow.
Basically the layout is about as far as you can get from the very efficient 'caravan' layouts you find in modern little Yachts.

As ever nothing is simple and she is moored on a swing at an Essex Yacht club which is paid until the end of the year (but has to be moved from the mooring by mid Oct. since they don't do Winter afloat in the bay) but unfortunately i'm not a member so technically i'm not allowed to launch the dinghy to get to her... Having never been a member of a Yacht club this could all be very interesting.

Other than that it's time to find a very cheap winter mooring in Essex to allow me to get some 'sail miles' under my belt.

So if anyone has any tips to my new found Yachting 'scenario' it would be appreciated.

 

[monkfish24]

i know a lot depends on budget but winter rates in marinas come down (a little bit agreed) but if you're going to be using it a fair bit to get some miles under the keel then it may be worth justifying for relatively easy berthing at short notice, plus any questions you want answered quickly will be available from other people around the marina

EDIT: Forgot to say congratulations on your best purchase of your life

 

[FullCircle]

Well ladies and gents, just in case you didn't see from the end of a rather long thread, i've finally bought myself a little Yacht.

She's a 23ft Triple-Keel Snapdragon. She has a 10hp 4-stroke Outboard and a selection of sales.
The interior accommodation is pretty old school and the forward berths/toilet layout is very amusing with the two berths physically separated by bulkheads and a nice little tunnel to the toilet near the bow.
Basically the layout is about as far as you can get from the very efficient 'caravan' layouts you find in modern little Yachts.

As ever nothing is simple and she is moored on a swing at an Essex Yacht club which is paid until the end of the year (but has to be moved from the mooring by mid Oct. since they don't do Winter afloat in the bay) but unfortunately i'm not a member so technically i'm not allowed to launch the dinghy to get to her... Having never been a member of a Yacht club this could all be very interesting.

Other than that it's time to find a very cheap winter mooring in Essex to allow me to get some 'sail miles' under my belt.

So if anyone has any tips to my new found Yachting 'scenario' it would be appreciated.

Well done! If you need a hand moving her, just pop onto the East Coast Forum, there will be loads of help.

For moorings, a lot of the swinging or drying moorings are lifted for the winter, so you might have to go pontoon if you want to keep sailing. However, I suggest you ring thise in Hullbridge - nice and safe to learn the ropes.
Hullbridge YC
South Woodham YC
Up River YC
Brandy Hole YC

Best to saunter along on Sunday lunchtime.....

 

[Fire99]

Thanks guys already for the advice. I'll have a bit of a ring round.

And i'll certainly stop over onto the East-Coast forum and say hi.

I'm quite looking forward to my first 'Saily' ownership. I've had motorboats now for about 10 years or so but the pull of sails (not to mention the quiet) and wanting to venture further afield has finally 'sealed the deal'.

Also perhaps i'll stop sobbing in my dinner every time I see fuel prices go up. (Other boat which is soon to be sold runs a petrol V8)

 

[Searush]

Low cost winter berth down there? Look for a mud berth where she only floats now & again - was the traditional winter laying-up berth for estuaries until the 1980's or so. Make sure you can get to her to check her out from time to time & also make sure there is plenty of ventilation.

Launching dinghy to access your boat? Just do it, I presume you have bought off a former (possibly current) member so it is unlikely you will be challenged. They may expect you to join next year, and there will be lots of benefits in that, but you may have found a new berth elsewhere by then.

 

[Fire99]

Low cost winter berth down there? Look for a mud berth where she only floats now & again - was the traditional winter laying-up berth for estuaries until the 1980's or so. Make sure you can get to her to check her out from time to time & also make sure there is plenty of ventilation.

Launching dinghy to access your boat? Just do it, I presume you have bought off a former (possibly current) member so it is unlikely you will be challenged. They may expect you to join next year, and there will be lots of benefits in that, but you may have found a new berth elsewhere by then.

Thanks for that. Yeah bought off a Club member and it's the first time i've ever been near a Yacht club so it's all a bit 'Mars n Jupiter' to me.
I'd quite like to join next year but i'd like to spend as much of this winter as possible sailing rather than standing looking at my boat.

 

[srm]

"The two happiest days in a boat owners life - the day he buys a new boat, and the day he sells it".
True, but I have had lots of wonderful days (and a few *** ones) in between with all of my boats.

The best of luck Fire 99 and enjoy yourself.

 

[Fire99]

"The two happiest days in a boat owners life - the day he buys a new boat, and the day he sells it".
True, but I have had lots of wonderful days (and a few *** ones) in between with all of my boats.

The best of luck Fire 99 and enjoy yourself.

Thanks alot for that!! Fingers crossed.

rgds,

Nick