Hooked

[Whiskey2]

After my previous post in late January, (thanks for all the replies) I thought I would share my experiances so far. I am a very competant glider pilot taking up yachting.
I did a CC course at southern sailing who were very good and I made some good friends who I intend to continue sailing with occasionaly, Neil, the skipper was a very able seaman and he had us out in the Solent day and night in all weather, I learnt so much in those five days. I then started looking for a small boat to buy, 22ft to start with but we soon realised that this would not be big enough for our needs.After another trip to the bank manager and after seeing over 40 boats we have ended up with a Moody 27 which we pick up in a week or so.We have also aquired a swinging mooring at Wicar marine, Portsmouth.
A few points worthey of note, There are some very good brokers out there but there is also some very poor ones that seem to be playing their own little game!
After arranging a lift out for the survey which is not that easy this time year, (Ken Brown, Gosport, £145) the surveyer let us down..... luckely we found a new one at the last minute, basic survey £230. The insurance, thanks to this forum will be about £190.
The boat will be named 'Whiskey II' and I look meeting some of you in or around the Solent this summer. Mel.

 

[robp]

Hi Mel. Sounds like a constructive month or so. You're not wrong about lift outs this year. (Nor brokers come to that). Hooked is the right word and applies to everyone here. I hope that the summer is a good one and that you get all the pleasure that yachting can bring.

Good luck

Rob

 

[jonjo]

> There are some very good brokers out there but there is also some very poor
> ones that seem to be playing their own little game!

In my experience you could broaden that statement and apply it to the whole marine leisure industry. I think many people drift into the marine trade because they cannot not hold down a job in another more demanding industry.

Tip: Whenever you encounter a yachtsman singing the praises of an independent boat repair/maintenance man, don't let him go without first writing down contact details.

> Wicar marine, Portsmouth

This used to be a well-run family business and a welcome contrast to other corporate chains. Hope it is still the same.