Has the quality of those out sailing dropped to marine equivalent of camper van sailors

[Wansworth]

Agreed. It's takes some courage for anyone to start a new hobby or sport these days.

I wonder if it has anything to do with those boats that never move in a marina.

I needed a couple of pints of brown and mild before I asked a girl to dance at the local hop. It was a long walk back when they said no.

Look what they missed?

 

[geem]

Unfortunately the sad fact is that 99% of commercial pilots now train in simulators for the majority of their training with very little light aircraft, let alone solo, flying. I saw this change over a 30 year career but it didn’t seem to affect their competence as the levels of training were very high and highly regulated. On top of that they all wanted to learn, maybe that is the difference with some of the examples quoted on this thread.

Chris

Maybe we need some multi-million pound simulators for those buying their first multi-million pound boat?

 

[Sandy]

Well, I did my best with my little Snapdragon. Got the cabin windows under water once, but never managed to tip her right over!

My first boat was a Mirage 28 and I was a member of the Snapdragon, Mirage and Invaders Association for a few years, I know how hard these guys drive their boats.

 

[Wansworth]

There was a Snapdragon for sale in Coruna a few years back at 21 feet itwas quite spacious it it hat cost 10,000 euros Imighthave been tempted

 

[Chiara’s slave]

and capsizing 20 times in a day. ?

That's something we make a conscious effort to avoid!

 

[Fire99]

My first boat was a Mirage 28 and I was a member of the Snapdragon, Mirage and Invaders Association for a few years, I know how hard these guys drive their boats.

Before my current 'Stinky' I had a Snapdragon 23 which I sailed as hard as I possibly could. She was no windward beater but to this day the safest feeling boat I've ever had. You kinda knew that in anything short of a serious storm, she'd just cruise on almost wondering what all the fuss was about. Great fun bouncing both feet off the foredeck changing a hanked-on sail.

 

[Stemar]

That was my experience with a Snapdragon 24. I once thought S, becoming SW 4-6 was a good forecast to come back to the Solent from Weymouth. When we were off St Alban's Head, BranbleMet was announcing a steady 33 knots. The boat was fine, Madame was not, and it cost me all the sailing brownie points I'd ever earned with her!

 

[Fire99]

That was my experience with a Snapdragon 24. I once thought S, becoming SW 4-6 was a good forecast to come back to the Solent from Weymouth. When we were off St Alban's Head, BranbleMet was announcing a steady 33 knots. The boat was fine, Madame was not, and it cost me all the sailing brownie points I'd ever earned with her!

Brownie points are important but personally speaking, it's reassuring after the trip knowing the boat can handle it (even if our relationships are a little bruised)

 

[Stemar]

Indeed. After that, I'd recommend a Snapdragon for anyone looking for a tough, roomy little boat that can take the ground as long as you can live with putting the engine on when the wind's in the wrong direction.

 

[Fire99]

Indeed. After that, I'd recommend a Snapdragon for anyone looking for a tough, roomy little boat that can take the ground as long as you can live with putting the engine on when the wind's in the wrong direction.

True.... A very capable boat that you can usually pick up for not a lot of money. On the windward issue, it didn't stop me trying everything possible to try and keep up with boats three times the length with carbon and laminate everything. You've gotta love a trier

 

[johnalison]

The Snapdragon will obviously knock spots off an Anderson 22.

 

[Stemar]

Of course, not to mention having more space and being more seaworthy

 

[RupertW]

I have noticed that many of the larger yachts with permanent berths in Port St Charles marina here keep their air conditioning systems running 24/7.
Although there is an additional cost re the electricity used, it is worth it in the long run as they can keep the internal humidity and temperature under control, and not have to worry about mould and condensation.
I think the electronics all like it as well.
Port St Charles

I have to say that mould and condensation problems are a real concern if we do get over and leave the boat on a mooring in Carlisle Bay for a month or two between visits. Apart from leaving vents open and vacuum packing clothes it’s hard to work out what else to do.

 

[Praxinoscope]

The Snapdragon will obviously knock spots off an Anderson 22.

Isn’t such an observation close to Blasphemy?

 

[newtothis]

Isn’t such an observation close to Blasphemy?

Blasphemy? That's outright heresy. Repent, sinner.

 

[Crisby]

Maybe we need some multi-million pound simulators for those buying their first multi-million pound boat?

Maybe with ‘crash protection’ switched off! Although some of the charterers we’ve seen over the last few years seemed to be under the impression it was included in their charter.......

Chris

 

[Bajansailor]

I have to say that mould and condensation problems are a real concern if we do get over and leave the boat on a mooring in Carlisle Bay for a month or two between visits. Apart from leaving vents open and vacuum packing clothes it’s hard to work out what else to do.

If you do leave your boat in Barbados to return home, even if for just a week or two, never mind a month or two - please do not leave her in Carlisle Bay 'on a mooring'.
It is possible to rent berths in Port Ferdinand - I know various visiting yachts that have done this for times when they have had to fly home - and the peace of mind re the security (especially re not having to worry about the mooring breaking) is well worthwhile.
I was recently involved (too involved) with a Beneteau 42 which a gentleman from down under bought back in April sight unseen (apart from a survey report by us) - he was going to leave her on the previous owner's mooring in Carlisle Bay until last month, when he finally came to collect her. I managed to talk him out of doing this, and to store her in Port Ferdinand instead, and I agreed to take the boat up to Port Ferdinand for him (as the previous owner was not interested).
When we went to pick up the boat a couple of weeks after he had bought her, we found one of the mooring lines had chafed through under the buoy, and the other was probably well on the way to doing so....
The cost of keeping this Beneteau at PF was about US$1,000 a month - last year a pal kept his 40' cat here for 6 months while he went back to England, and their cost was also about US$ 1,000 a month.
The security in the marina is very good so you should be able to leave a window or hatch open (perhaps with an awning over?) if the ventilators are not up to scratch for the tropics.