We've done it! Sigma 38

benw

benw

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Well subject to survey offer accepted! Our new yacht will be a Sigma 38 ahhh sounds a bit scary!
Now the next question is do we sail her back or plonk it on a lorry.
Kip west Scotland back to the Orwell would be a fantastic shakedown but which way Sth or nth and via Caledonian canal. I have kayaked Stranraer to Larne and would definitely look at coming down the Irish coast.
But anyone experienced this trip or made the decision to road haul.
I have the quotes for road and depending on whether it is part of a road trip would be around£1500 exc lifts on off and mast stepping.
Thoughts as always welcomed.
 
benw said:
Well subject to survey offer accepted! Our new yacht will be a Sigma 38 ahhh sounds a bit scary!
Now the next question is do we sail her back or plonk it on a lorry.
Kip west Scotland back to the Orwell would be a fantastic shakedown but which way Sth or nth and via Caledonian canal. I have kayaked Stranraer to Larne and would definitely look at coming down the Irish coast.
But anyone experienced this trip or made the decision to road haul.
I have the quotes for road and depending on whether it is part of a road trip would be around£1500 exc lifts on off and mast stepping.
Thoughts as always welcomed.
Click to expand...

Congratulations.

That is one awesome boat !

Fantastic liveability and super performance.

Like many others, I though and thought.........

In the end, with work and the reality of British weather , I went for the road option.
 
Proper boat - well done!

I have done a few deliveries with mates and the only comment I would add is to sail it around locally for a couple of days before the big trip. 2k road transport vs a week or two off work and at least a grand in marinas and eating out. You probably won't be back up that way for a while so might as well explore it.

Should show up any potential hassles and give you a chance to get to know her. Enjoy.
 
Thanks folks I think it's the awesome bit that's a bit daunting.
Looking forward to getting out and finding out what she can do! Way more than I will probably want to explore!
In return lots of varnishing inside as she has a bit of TLC to make her shine inside.
Exterior is a treat including topsides,deck and cockpit. HD radar fitted too which will be a great addition crossing the Nth Sea, or even more local waters of course.
Racing sails will have to wait until we have the measure of her with the cruising set up.
 
Luckily being a Headteacher I can grab a couple of weeks in the Summer. Scraped 3 weeks last summer in NL and Be last year.
It does seem very tempting to explore the West Coast a bit.
But which way sth directly or via th canal and the long trip downthe East coast?
 
I bought the North and East Coast of Scotland pilot, tidal havens of the Wash and Humber and Forth, Tyne, Dogger and Humber whilst getting excited about a circumnavigation of the UK.

It's a bit light on deep, all weather ports once North of Lowestoft.....
 
benw said:
Luckily being a Headteacher I can grab a couple of weeks in the Summer. Scraped 3 weeks last summer in NL and Be last year.
It does seem very tempting to explore the West Coast a bit.
But which way sth directly or via th canal and the long trip downthe East coast?
Click to expand...

I would go South as you are probably unlikely to visit that area again. You can go up the North Sea (or not) whenever you want.
 
XLNT Choice

Really good fast cruiser. I crewed the RAF Boat, Red Arrow, in the Solent and Channel most weekends for a couple of seasons in the 80s ---- Brilliant!

I'm going to have to buy a few more scratchcards..
Regards
Boz (No Smiley for Envy!)
 
Congratulations Ben, I have fond memories of an October weekend trip from Burnham to Ostend in a friend's Sigma 38 many years ago, great boat very comfortable.
 
I had only day sailed in a Snapdragon when I bought my bought my boat in Plymouth and sailed it back. Fantastic way to get to know a boat and visit places you might not go to again. I still can't work out why I turned left out of Plymouth and missed out on Falmouth by a few hours. Enjoy the trip if you can.
 
Go south. Did trip belfast to w mersea 2 summers ago in just purchased boat. Took a van withtools & full safety gear & 2 mates. Spent 3 days preping boat, sent van home, got one more crew to fly in then planned none stop delivery. If it goes wrong. Plenty of ports to call at. Just make sure boat is right before heading across bristol channel. No safe havens english side until around lands end. None stop sigma 38 5-6 days easy.
 
Congrats!


Was on my list earlier when into boats of that size...

Also looked at buying up there & plan was to keep boat up there for the Summer & explore locally then bang it on a lorry end of season & bring it down here.
(In the end opted for a boat in the next marina up the river...:D)
 
Congrats on the new boat.
As others have said, a sea trip will do you more good than a road trip any day.
Even if it involves a complete tour of Italy from east of Venice to west of Genoa because your boat is tall tall to be trucked through the alpine tunnels :( :eek: However else would I have got to the top of Etna? :D
 
Thanks Duncan,
You will note that further to our conversation re buying overseas I only got as far as Scotland!
Odd looking money just the same!
I have had one haulier turn down the trip because of keel ! I think this is the dawn of realisation that I have been expecting . Sense of security with a 4ft draft now a distant memory, dreams of longer passages perhaps with fewer ports. Has my world just got bigger or smaller? I think handing over some dosh is making me a bit delirious!
 
benw said:
Has my world just got bigger or smaller?
Click to expand...

Overall I think your world is now bigger because the boat will go anywhere, and somewhat quicker too probably. You may miss out on a few shallow places and your timings may be a bit tighter but overall you will go further.
Having had a similar draft boat on the East Coast I can't say it caused us too many problems.
Visiting some of the islands in the Southern Delta of Holland was a bit trickier but the passage there was easier.
 
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