Smaller magic

[veshengro]

Having spent nearly 18 years as a full time voyaging liveaboard and with the three score and ten marker fading astern, I decided to sell the big boat, a Nic 32, live ashore and perhaps buy a smaller boat. A big decision at the time, not easy, but for those facing similar decisions let me reassure you that the change is not nearly so painful as feared.
Just ashore after three days aboard and a few photos from my small, 18 foot, part time second home.

The row out to the mooring isn't far but needs to be done on the flood at Springs, for the easy life, or buy an outboard...

Friday morning after a peaceful night. A late start and it's already getting hot before 09.00 hrs. First job, milk from the cooler.


As the reflection shows, it really was glassy and not a breath of breeze.
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Friendly neighbours, some plump and homely.

Others tall and elegant.


Contentment doesn't have to be 40 foot LOA or a tropical Moon at night. Nice but not essential...

 

[MontyMariner]

What did you buy?

 

[veshengro]

" What did you buy? "

Two smaller boats....

A 14 foot Trident type simulated clinker Dinghy for Dinghy camping and sculling about on the local rivers.
Gunter rig, she sets a jib too of course, and the second photo is my home made boom tent still in progress of making.



My other boat is an 18.5 foot Sailfish. Good little boat that sails well. Lifting keel and a small cabin to live in when dodging about the Welsh Coast or Bristol Channel in fine weather. With the keel up she floats in a heavy Dew, so I get to places where the Kayaks go...

 

[steve yates]

Yeah, I have a Bradwell 18, which I learned to sail in. Working on the bigger boat ashore doinga fullrefit, but for pottering about uk coast and around, its just much more adventurous and fun on the wee boat than the big boat!

 

[bluevelvet]

Having not been a live aboard I too have downsized from various larger yachts with most recent being 34' to a lovely 25 footer and although not sailed this season just working on her over the summer I am looking forward to next year.
As I sail mainly sail handed everything is to hand and every trip will seem like an adventure and hoping to capture that first boat feeling.