Time to confess

[SP2]

We have finally sold SP2 - to the couple that came down from Orkney in February for a sea trial. SP2 has been in the shed at Medway Bridge since the beginning of May for a hull and bottom repaint and some woodwork to the wheelhouse. A variety of business and personal reasons led us to the view that we just could not commit to her as she deserved so a sale was inevitable.

We are not giving up but we decided on our next boat following some strict criteria.

1. She must be trailable - we have restricted time to cruise so we need to get her places we want to cruise (Devon and Cornwall for example) quickly and get her back to Kent when we are done.

2. She must be easy to maintain - this means fibreglass.

3. She must be cheap to run - fuel prices are only going up.

Our choice will see us banished from this forum, of course, since we are turning to sail - a Hunter Minstrel 23 which sleeps 3 and has a 5 HP outboard and which will be easily towed behind the Navara. We are collecting her tomorrow from West Sussex and towing her to her new home at Chatham Marina. There I will remind myself of the art of sailing - its a few years since I took the helm of a yacht - and look forward to teaching the children and SWMBO who is up for the challenge.

So look out for lots of moaning about excessive wash, exhaust fumes, etc.

Here is a picture of the Minstrel 23

So that's it - now outcasts we can't even stock up on Fray Bentos for some comfort eating since we have no oven on board. No heated water and no shower either - you will smell us coming.

We do promise to wave to all our mobo friends, of course, and tack under your bows.

 

[Kawasaki]

Goodbye for now, I'm sure You will be back.
Is that the actual boat in the piccie?
Looks quite nice.








For a Yacht! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
At least You have an outboard to drive You mad.
Oh! have you got a cone thinghy for to hoist when the outboard does run? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SP2]

It is the brochure picture but we are identical except for the sail number.

Of course we have a cone - don't all raggies? Mind you we can sail in 15 inches of water if necessary with the keel up so we will be well out of your way. Also useful for many High Streets, too /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

We will certainly miss... those trips to the fuel pump and watching the price climb. Quite a significant element in our decision.

Yes we will be back when we start our inland France and Netherlands cruising in about 5-10 years.

 

[Nauti Fox]

All the best and I guess you'll be stocking up on condensed milk and bully beef!

 

[fireball]

Welcome to the bright side!!

Think of all those quiet drifts you can have with no engine noise and exhaust fumes ...

quite a bit cheaper too!

 

[aquaholic]

mm must admit that i very nearly joined you this year, except the wife was not at all happy on a sailing boat, so we will be sticking with our stinker for the time being.........will just have to live with cruising at 20knts for a bit longer I guess /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[SP2]

Well our catering arrangements will be radically different, Alec. Have already worked out how we can carry additional battery power for our on board freezer otherwise we will need to sail with live chickens and the odd goat to ensure crew are well fed.

Biggest problem is that we have boxes of stuff off SP2 (no wonder she never made that design speed)which are just not going to fit on the new boat. Could be boosting the eBay feed back ratings. Why did we carry enoungh cutlery for 10?

Hoping that the M26/M25/M23 are behaving themselves for the epic tow to civilisation at Chatham (an oxymoron if I ever heard one).

Will be afloat in the next 7-10 days so may need to publish a Notice to Mariners.

 

[SP2]

Yes I remember much drifting when I did my Day Skipper. Not a reef in sight /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[SP2]

Would you like to buy a bit of my carbon footprint, then /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also flogging the Alfa since Gordon decided that it was a gas guzzler - might even dust off the bike.

 

[Nauti Fox]

[ QUOTE ]


Biggest problem is that we have boxes of stuff off SP2 (no wonder she never made that design speed)which are just not going to fit on the new boat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah yes, actually spotted you the other day leaving Medway Bridge and kinda guessed you may have sold her

 

[SP2]

Yep, that was us.

Loss of speed due to overloading now applied to Navara which struggles to keep up with the man waving the red flag.

Anyone want an Alfa Sportwagon (my other storage area) fitted with liferaft?