Rethinking yachting

[Cloona]

After years of pocket cruisers - Debutantes and a Trident 24 - I have ended up with a 31 footer as a family boat with my brothers ...

I am so missing the fun of little boats ... sailing out of a marina .. sticking the boat on the beach and wading ashore ... knowing that money wise everything was doable ..

Now - I have a bit of comfort and even a bit of grandeur but a greater need for crew and less peace of mind..

 

[Laminar Flow]

What with the steep rises and general cost of yachting maybe there is an opening for westerly type 26footers or even less as used to be the norm in the 1960s I mean a weekend way who needs a fridge,double berth,tv and the kitchen sink and hot water and showers.A weekend away in a Debutant weather bound in a force 6 in Cowes who could ask for more,yachting is not meant to be like being at home it’s about being out in touch with nature?

I completely agree: for a weekend away with a Debutante, especially when storm bound, you really do not need standing headroom for any of the potential activities on offer. A fridge or a cooler at least, for the Chablis, would be fine though ...

 

[Daydream believer]

I completely agree: for a weekend away with a Debutante, especially when storm bound, you really do not need standing headroom for any of the potential activities on offer. A fridge or a cooler at least, for the Chablis, would be fine though ...

One clearly does not suffer from bad knees or back ache

 

[SaltyC]

Having done both I can only liken spending a wet bank holiday weekend on a small 60s yacht to camping in a 2 man ridge pole tent, neither an experience that was pleasant at the time or has anything that recommends a repeat.

AAAh it was over half a century ago when I was Ten and introduced to a Hurley 20 Bilge Keel Yacht in the SW. No running water, a definate 'Auxiliary', no hot water (Ex Kettle) my job after dinner was to 'rinse' the dishes in the harbour before a quick wash in (very limited) FW.
So yes, a 2 man floating ridge tent (I did the non floating version as well) it was a great adventure learnt to sail and navigate (pre GPS / Decca ) and still hooked!!

 

[westernman]

What with the steep rises and general cost of yachting maybe there is an opening for westerly type 26footers or even less as used to be the norm in the 1960s I mean a weekend way who needs a fridge,double berth,tv and the kitchen sink and hot water and showers.A weekend away in a Debutant weather bound in a force 6 in Cowes who could ask for more,yachting is not meant to be like being at home it’s about being out in touch with nature?

May be what you are looking for is this:-

First 27 SE - Sailing yachts For Sale | BENETEAU

Can be towed behind a car as well.

If 27ft is too big there is also a 24ft version. But you don't get a proper sea toilet in the 24ft but you do in the 27ft.

First 24 SE - Sailing yachts For Sale | BENETEAU

 

[Fr J Hackett]

AAAh it was over half a century ago when I was Ten and introduced to a Hurley 20 Bilge Keel Yacht in the SW. No running water, a definate 'Auxiliary', no hot water (Ex Kettle) my job after dinner was to 'rinse' the dishes in the harbour before a quick wash in (very limited) FW.
So yes, a 2 man floating ridge tent (I did the non floating version as well) it was a great adventure learnt to sail and navigate (pre GPS / Decca ) and still hooked!!

You and me too but would we do it again, I think not and I doubt many would. My problem has always been that I lived about as far from the coast as it was possible to get other than those learning g days in a dingy dinghy and the afore mentioned converted leaky lifeboat when it was an adventure and learning experience for a young boy.

 

[NealB]

Some seem to suggest that 'creek crawling' necessarily implies staying in home waters.

I don't see it that way: it's quite possible to undertake longer passages, and then explore the creeks and byways when you get there.

Our Wharram Pahi 31 was fabulous in both roles.

 

[Poignard]

Some seem to suggest that 'creek crawling' necessarily implies staying in home waters.

I don't see it that way: it's quite possible to longer passages, and then explore the creeks and byways when you get ther.

Our Wharram Pahi 31 was fabulous in both roles.

The late Charles Stock showed what could be done in a small cruiser.

Here's a review of one of his books by our very own Dylan Winter

https://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/charles-stock-small-boat-hero/

What became of Dylan Winter, by the way? His contributions to this forum were always enjoyable.

 

[NealB]

The late Charles Stock showed what could be done in a small cruiser.

Here's a review of one of his books by our very own Dylan Winter

https://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/charles-stock-small-boat-hero/

What became of Dylan Winter, by the way? His contributions to this forum were always enjoyable.

Yes ....... I've long been a fan of Charles Stock.

Yes ...... Dylan Winter has been a real loss to the forum.

 

[Wansworth]

He was Dominga YouTube vidofhisfavouite boat the north shore 25foot fisher

 

[Wansworth]

May be what you are looking for is this:-

First 27 SE - Sailing yachts For Sale | BENETEAU

Can be towed behind a car as well.

If 27ft is too big there is also a 24ft version. But you don't get a proper sea toilet in the 24ft but you do in the 27ft.

First 24 SE - Sailing yachts For Sale | BENETEAU

Budget doesn’t run to one of those?

 

[mrming]

What became of Dylan Winter, by the way? His contributions to this forum were always enjoyable.

Unfortunately (imo) some members on here got it into their heads that his trying to make a tiny amount of money to fund his videos was somehow inappropriate. As I recall the attitude was “I pay for my sailing so why should Dylan ask people to pay for his”.

He still posts in the Cruising Anarchy forum on Sailing Anarchy and appears to be in good form. ?

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Budget doesn’t run to one of those?

Have you never thought of buying one of the hundreds of old 60s GRP boats festering in British yards awaiting a buyer, then sailing it back to N Spain?

 

[Wansworth]

Have you never thought of buying one of the hundreds of old 60s GRP boats festering in British yards awaiting a buyer, then sailing it back to N Spain?

Brexit,my friendly local legal eagle who advise on all things boating advised it was now extremely difficult,it had been my idea as you suggest.Could try France

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Brexit,my friendly local legal eagle who advise on all things boating advised it was now extremely difficult,it had been my idea as you suggest.Could try France

The worst that could happen would be you had to pay Spanish VAT on the purchase.

 

[Wansworth]

The worst that could happen would be you had to pay Spanish VAT on the purchase.

Will inquire further ,thanks….have asked on Spanish forum

 

[xyachtdave]

Unfortunately (imo) some members on here got it into their heads that his trying to make a tiny amount of money to fund his videos was somehow inappropriate. As I recall the attitude was “I pay for my sailing so why should Dylan ask people to pay for his”.

He still posts in the Cruising Anarchy forum on Sailing Anarchy and appears to be in good form. ?

That's good to hear!

Did you make the rather excellent Film Night with Dylan at MYC?

 

[Poignard]

Unfortunately (imo) some members on here got it into their heads that his trying to make a tiny amount of money to fund his videos was somehow inappropriate. As I recall the attitude was “I pay for my sailing so why should Dylan ask people to pay for his”.

He still posts in the Cruising Anarchy forum on Sailing Anarchy and appears to be in good form. ?

Well that was very petty-minded of them.

Anyone who didn't want to watch them didn't have to.

 

[xyachtdave]

Hazy memories here but didn't Dylan do a video of being carved up numerous times in the Crouch, jet skis etc and used some disparaging terms to describe these vessels.

I think the response was a witch hunt online around the various power driven forums and people were encouraged to click on the adverts on his youtube channel without following through to a purchase...algorithms then decide this is suspect activity and he was cancelled.

No recourse to youtube as automated etc.

Happy to be corrected if anyone knows better.

 

[mrming]

That's good to hear!

Did you make the rather excellent Film Night with Dylan at MYC?

Unf not much to my shame!